Find Area Between y=x and y=x^2 | -1/6 Answer

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the area between the curves defined by the equations y=x and y=x^2. The original poster presents an integral setup for calculating this area and mentions an unexpected result of -1/6.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the area using an integral of the difference between the two functions, while another participant clarifies the intersection points and suggests a different integral approach. Questions are raised about which function is greater over the interval of integration.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the correct setup for the area calculation, and there is an acknowledgment of the original poster's confusion regarding their result.

Contextual Notes

Participants are examining the limits of integration based on the intersection points of the two curves and questioning the assumptions made about the functions' relative positions.

tandoorichicken
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I need to find the area between y=x and y=x^2
So this is what I did:
[tex]A = \int (x^2-x) \,dx[/tex]
Then I found the limits of integration x=0 and x=1 because that's where the two graphs intersect
[tex]A = \int^1_0 (x^2-x) \,dx[/tex]
I ended up with an answer of -1/6
What did I do wrong?
 
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intersect points:
[tex]x^2 = x[/tex]

[tex]x^2 - x = 0[/tex]

[tex](x)(x-1) = 0[/tex]

[tex]x = 1, x = 0[/tex]



The upper limit is the line [tex]y = x[/tex], the lower limit is [tex]y = x^2[/tex]

[tex]A = \int^1_0 x \,dx - \int^1_0 x^2 \,dx[/tex]

[tex]A = \frac{x^2}{2} |^1_0 - \frac{x^3}{3} |^1_0[/tex]

[tex]A = \frac{1^2}{2} - \frac{1^3}{3}[/tex]

[tex]A = \frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{3}[/tex]

[tex]A = \frac{1}{6}[/tex]



Your answer seems fine to me.
 
Which one's bigger?
 
oh... I get it
 

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