Is My Integral Setup Correct for Calculating Area Between Curves?

  • Thread starter Thread starter gokugreene
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Area Curves
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around setting up integrals to calculate areas between curves, specifically involving the functions y=x^2, y=4x+5, and y=x-2, as well as finding derivatives of logarithmic expressions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to set up integrals for finding areas between curves and seeks confirmation on their approach. They also express confusion regarding the interpretation of the area under a curve versus above it. Additionally, they question the correct interpretation of a derivative involving a logarithmic function.

Discussion Status

Some participants provide feedback on the integral setup for the first question, noting a potential typo in the integral expression. There is an ongoing exploration of how to set up the second question regarding the area in the first quadrant, with multiple interpretations being considered. The third question about the derivative remains ambiguous, with participants acknowledging the need for clarification.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating constraints related to homework rules and the expectations set by their teacher regarding methods for calculating areas, which may differ from pure integration techniques.

gokugreene
Messages
47
Reaction score
0
Hey guys, I am curious if I am setting this up right. Could you take a look and make sure I am on the right path?

I have three questions.

1) I am trying to find the area bound by [tex]y=x^2[/tex] and [tex]y=4x+5[/tex]
Upper function [tex]y=4x+5[/tex]
Lower function [tex]y=x^2[/tex]
For my integral I have [tex]\int^{5}_{-1}4x-5-x^2[/tex]

I then get [tex]\left[\frac{-x^{3}}{3}+2x^{2}+5x\right]^{5}_{-1}[/tex]

and my answer is 110/3 units squared

Is my answer correct? Am I doing it right? I just figured out you can do it this way. My teacher has been teaching us to use squares, triangles, and other geometric methods (not talking about riemann sums) rather than just pure integration...

Ok, second question..
Find the area bounded by y=x-2, y=4, the x-axis, and the y-axis.
Would I set this problem up like [tex]\int^{6}_{2}x-2-\int^{2}_{0}x-2[/tex] this?

Last question..
I need to find the derivative of [tex]ln(x-1)^{2}[/tex]
I am confused as to whether they are saying to square x-1 or the natural log.

Thanks guys
 
Physics news on Phys.org
On your first question you set up the problem correctly, but the integral of -5 is -5x, you put +5x, maybe that's a typo. I didn't check the exact answer, but you definitely have the right idea.

For the second question, remember that the area is the integral of the top minus the integral of the bottom. So set it up like this:

[tex]\int_{0}^{6} 4 - (x-2)dx[/tex]

They only want the first quadrant which is why the lower bound for the integral is zero.

As to the third question, that's rather ambiguous, I could interpret that either way.
 
On the second question are they wanting me to find the area under x-2 or the area above it? It seems it could be looked at either way.
 
gokugreene said:
On the second question are they wanting me to find the area under x-2 or the area above it? It seems it could be looked at either way.

From the graph and your bounds (x and y axes) it looks like you are trying to find the area in the first quadrant, above y=x-2 and below y=4. The area below x-2 is unbounded on the x axis, so your best bet is to go for the one that is contained the most.
 
Alright, I will go with that. Thanks!
 
ln(x-1)^2 take derivative, you must use chain rule
 

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Replies
64
Views
7K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
42
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
1K