Integrating Curve y=x³ - 6x² + 9x + 16: Help Needed

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a calculus problem involving the integration of the curve defined by the equation y = x³ - 6x² + 9x + 16. The original poster is attempting to compute the definite integral from -1 to 2 and is comparing their result with a textbook answer.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster describes their method for calculating the integral and expresses confusion over a discrepancy between their result and the textbook answer. Some participants question the correctness of the original poster's primitive function and suggest that an additional term may be necessary.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the original poster's calculations, with some providing guidance on potential errors in the integration process. There is a recognition of confusion regarding the inclusion of constant terms in the integration.

Contextual Notes

The original poster emphasizes the importance of obtaining the correct answer for subsequent questions related to finding the area under the curve. There is mention of potential inaccuracies in the textbook answer, which adds to the uncertainty in the discussion.

Briggs
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I am having a little trouble on this problem for calculus..

Curve has equation y = x³ - 6x² + 9x + 16

I am asked to find [tex]\int_{-1}^{2} (x^3 - 6x^2 + 9x + 16) dx[/tex]
I get the answer to be -3/4 but the book gives the answer as 47.25. I do not know how the book got this. The way I found it was
[tex][\frac{x^4}{4} - \frac{6x^3}{3} + \frac{9x^2}{2}]_{-1}^{2}[/tex] and then putting x=2 and solving it then putting x=-1 and solving it then subtract the answer from x=-1 from x=2 so i found [tex](4-16+18)-(\frac{1}{4}--2+\frac{9}{2}) = \frac{-3}{4}[/tex]

It is important that I get this answer correct because It is needed for the next question of finding the area under a curve, could it just be that the book has an incorrect answer as it has known to be in the past or am i going about this completely the wrong way.
Thanks for any help you guys can provide
 
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Your primitive function is wrong. You need an extra term of 16x in there.
 
The integral of any constant A is

[tex]\int A \ dx = Ax+\mathcal{C} [/itex]<br /> <br /> ,where [itex]\mathcal{C}[/itex] is an integration constant...<br /> <br /> Daniel.[/tex]
 
Thanks for the help I see where I was going wrong there, I was a little confused about the constant thing thanks for clearing it up
 

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