What is Area: Definition and 1000 Discussions

Area is the quantity that expresses the extent of a two-dimensional region, shape, or planar lamina, in the plane. Surface area is its analog on the two-dimensional surface of a three-dimensional object. Area can be understood as the amount of material with a given thickness that would be necessary to fashion a model of the shape, or the amount of paint necessary to cover the surface with a single coat. It is the two-dimensional analog of the length of a curve (a one-dimensional concept) or the volume of a solid (a three-dimensional concept).
The area of a shape can be measured by comparing the shape to squares of a fixed size. In the International System of Units (SI), the standard unit of area is the square metre (written as m2), which is the area of a square whose sides are one metre long. A shape with an area of three square metres would have the same area as three such squares. In mathematics, the unit square is defined to have area one, and the area of any other shape or surface is a dimensionless real number.

There are several well-known formulas for the areas of simple shapes such as triangles, rectangles, and circles. Using these formulas, the area of any polygon can be found by dividing the polygon into triangles. For shapes with curved boundary, calculus is usually required to compute the area. Indeed, the problem of determining the area of plane figures was a major motivation for the historical development of calculus.For a solid shape such as a sphere, cone, or cylinder, the area of its boundary surface is called the surface area. Formulas for the surface areas of simple shapes were computed by the ancient Greeks, but computing the surface area of a more complicated shape usually requires multivariable calculus.
Area plays an important role in modern mathematics. In addition to its obvious importance in geometry and calculus, area is related to the definition of determinants in linear algebra, and is a basic property of surfaces in differential geometry. In analysis, the area of a subset of the plane is defined using Lebesgue measure, though not every subset is measurable. In general, area in higher mathematics is seen as a special case of volume for two-dimensional regions.Area can be defined through the use of axioms, defining it as a function of a collection of certain plane figures to the set of real numbers. It can be proved that such a function exists.

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  1. E

    Maximum area for inscribed cylinder

    Homework Statement Inscribe in a given cone, the height h of which is equal to the radius r of the base, a cylinder (c) whose total area is a maximum. Radius of cylinder is rc and height of cylinder is hc. Homework Equations A = 2πrchc + 2πrc2 The Attempt at a Solution r = h ∴ hc = r - rc A =...
  2. Delta Force

    Did the Chicxulub Area Contribute to Oil Reserves?

    Many petroleum rich areas are located within the Chicxulub impact effects radius, including Mexico, the Gulf of Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana. Cantarell, a supergiant petroleum field, is located directly within the impact crater. Did Chicxulub play any role in creating and/or preserving...
  3. Saracen Rue

    B Area under the curve of a Polar Graph

    Hello all! I'm just wanting a quick clarification on how finding the area under a polar graph works. Say we have the polar graph of ##r\left(\theta \right)=\frac{\arctan \left(2\theta \right)}{\theta }## as shown below: I know that the area under the graph between ##0## and ##\frac{\pi...
  4. I

    MHB What is the Area of a Quadrilateral with Given Coordinates?

    I think I got 4 points of (1,0) (3,5) (9,8) (13,0) but I don't know how to get the area
  5. D

    Area between 2 curves, Volume around X and Y, Centroid

    g(x)= √(19x) = upper curve f(x)= 0.2x^2 = lower curve Firstly, I found the point of intersection, which would later give the upper values for x and y. x=7.802 y=12.174 Then I found the area under g(x) and took away the area under f(x) to get the area between the curves. 31.67 units^2 This is...
  6. K

    Area between two graphs as a sum

    Homework Statement Homework Equations $$1^2+2^2+3^2+...+n^2=\frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}$$ The Attempt at a Solution $$S_n=2\{[f_1(x_1)-f_2(x_1)]\Delta x+[f_1(x_2)-f_2(x_2)]\Delta x+...+[f_1(x_{n-1})-f_2(x_{n-1})]\Delta x\}$$ $$S_n=2\{[18-\Delta x^2-\Delta x^2]+[18-(2\Delta x)^2-(2\Delta...
  7. dkotschessaa

    Renting out a house in a university area?

    My wife and I might move a bit closer to where I am working. We love our house, sort of. It needs lots of work, but we don't have much time to work on it, and we have an ineffective HOA. We might actually have MORE money to work on it if we instead rent an apartment (closer to work) and rent...
  8. W

    Thermal resistance without area

    I'm (self)studying the physics of heat transfer at the moment. My book gives a relationship between heat transfer rate and thermal resistance as ##\phi=\frac {A \Delta T} {R}##. My book is not in English, so hopefully that is not the cause of this misunderstanding. I double checked that heat...
  9. K

    Integral of a area under a straight line as summation

    Homework Statement Homework Equations Summs: $$1+2+3+...+n=\frac{n(n+1)}{2}$$ $$1^2+2^2+3^2+...+n^2=\frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}$$ The Attempt at a Solution $$\Delta x=\frac{b}{n}$$ $$S_n=f\left( \frac{\Delta x}{2} \right)\Delta x+f\left( \Delta x+\frac{\Delta x}{2} \right)\Delta x+...+f\left(...
  10. J

    I Relationship between the radius and area of liquid in a cylinder

    Hello, I did a calculation to determine whether a liquid with a fixed volume ##V##, would be spread over a larger surface area ##A## on the inside mantle of a cylinder, if the cylinder has a larger radius ##r##. So I’d like to find a relationship between the radius ##r## and the area ##A## over...
  11. M

    MHB How Much Netting Does Rita Need to Cover a Rectangular Area?

    Rita wants to cover a roughly rectangular area with netting. The height is 9 feet (but one side is along a solid fence, so could be 4 feet), two sides are each 6 feet, and the other side is 5_1/2 feet. How much netting does she need? Netting comes as a rectangular or square piece. My Work:Let A...
  12. M

    I Area under curve using Excel question

    Hi there, I was wondering if someone could help clarify something for me. I am using excel to find the area under a curve. I am using the : (B1+B2)/2*(A2-A1) equation to do it. However, due to the nature of the graph, all the value I am getting are negative. The values on the X axis decrease...
  13. K

    Area summation problem under a curve

    Homework Statement Why, in: $$\frac{\sqrt{1}+\sqrt{2}+...+\sqrt{n}}{n^{3/2}}$$ There is ##~n^{3/2}## in the denominator? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution it should be: $$S_n=\sqrt{c_1}\Delta x+\sqrt{c_2}\Delta x+...=\Delta x\cdot \sqrt{\Delta x}+\Delta x\cdot \sqrt{2\Delta...
  14. B

    MHB Why Do I Get Negative Value Integrating y=-50e^-5x?

    Hello! And Good day! I just want to ask why do I keep getting a negative value whenever I take a definite integral of function $$y=-50e^{-5x}$$ the graph is shown as the first image. If you look at the graph of the integral of "y" there's no traceable negative value on the graph. Why is that...
  15. Sirsh

    Heat Transfer - Conduction/Convection Question - Which area?

    Homework Statement Its been assumed that the surfaces TL and TR of the same constant temperature. Homework Equations Tmax = TL/R + (qdoto*L2)/(8*k) q = ΔT/R Rconvection = 1/hA The Attempt at a Solution The problem I am having with this question is conceptualising which dimensions to use...
  16. B

    Find the area of the region given the boundaries

    1. Homework Statement The curve of y= 4/(x^2+4), the x-axis, and the vertical lines x = -2 and x = 2 Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution
  17. CynicusRex

    Minimum of x+1/x (Perimeter Square < Perim equal area rects)

    Homework Statement Gelfand - Algebra p.115 problem 264: Prove that a square has the minimum perimeter of all rectangles having the same area. Hint. Use the result of the preceding problem. Homework Equations Preceding problem: Prove that a square has the maximum area of all rectangles having...
  18. Brage Eidsvik

    I Finding Area of Graphs with x^2: A General Solution?

    Hello, If I have an x^2 graph that goes from 0 to a point a. Is there a general solution to where the area of the left side is equal to the area of the right?
  19. A

    Parallelogram area (coordinates)

    Homework Statement The coordinates of the parallelogram ABCD are: A (-2; 1) B (5; 2) C (6; 5) D (-1; 4) We also know that the diagonals intercept in the middle of each other (so if the diagonals are AC and BD, and the intercept in point M, then AM = MC, and BM = MD). Not sure if this...
  20. lfdahl

    MHB What is the total area of the infinite number of inscribed squares?

    Given a circle (radius $R$) with an inscribed square. Now inscribe a new circle in the square and then again a new square in the new circle etc. What is the total area of the infinite number of inscribed squares?
  21. core1985

    Help needed in sign of area element -- how do we take sign

    Hello I just want to ask that in problem 1.54 why the sign of area element da is negative how do we predict signs in spherical coordinates unit vectors can anybody tell me the rule I have only trouble in sign like in left face it is negative what rule do we use for this negative sign
  22. O

    Second moment of inertia for a bent rectangle

    Hello. I am currently working with a beam with the following cross-section: It consist of three bended sections with the following parameters, alpha = 90 degrees, Thickness = 4 mm, Radius = 50.59 mm. The top section consist of a small triangle and a rectangle. the triangle have a width = 4 mm...
  23. Steven Hansel

    B How do you know the size/maximum area of a gravity field

    The title said it, how do you know the size or maximum area of a planet's gravity field can cover. The reason i asked this question because from the gravity equation the r is the radius from Mplanet and Mobject. So, that doesn't explain how big is the gravity field. Is it when the gravity force...
  24. I

    Maximum area of triangle inside a square

    Homework Statement ##ABCD## is a square piece of paper with sides of length 1 m. A quarter-circle is drawn from ##B## to ##D## with center ##A##. The piece of paper is folded along ##EF##, with ##E## on ##AB## and ##F## on ##AD##, so that ##A## falls on the quarter-circle. Determine the maximum...
  25. Dileep Ramisetty

    Tank outlet velocity exit pipe cross-section area dependence

    Sir, actually in a tank by the toricelli's law and also from bernoulli equation, we have outlet velocity as V= (2*g*H)^(1/2). In the case 2, I have closed the pipe exit partially with hand and observed a higher velocity than case 1, in practical. but when I applied the bernoulli...
  26. R

    Length and Area of Cylindrical Nichrome Resistor

    Homework Statement You must complete the circuit of (Figure 1) in such a way that it draws a current of 0.450 A from the battery. The battery maintains a potential difference of 10.0 V with no load, but has an internal resistance of Rbatt = 15.0 Ω . The only material you have is 20.0 mm^3 of...
  27. pairofstrings

    B What area of maths is common to all other areas of maths?

    Hi. I am very curious and fascinated to know what area of mathematics is common to all other areas of mathematics. Thank you.
  28. J

    I How much force is exerted at 200 PSI with a panel size of 12 x 18?

    Someone questioned my calculation for force: 200 PSI Area: panel dimensions are 12" x 18" what is the calculated force in pounds
  29. haushofer

    I Area ellipse: parametric form, angles and coincidences

    Dear all, I have a question regarding the computation of the area of an ellipse. The parametric form of the ellipse with axes a and b is $$x(t) = a\cos{(t)}, \ \ \ y(t) = b\sin{(t)} $$ Using this to evaluate the area of the ellipse, usually one takes one halve or one quarter of the ellipse...
  30. Arman777

    What is the Correct Integral for Finding the Area Below y=0 and Above y=lnx?

    Homework Statement Find the area Below ##y=0##,above ##y=lnx##, and to the right of ##x=0## Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I thought an integral like ##\int_0^1 lnx \, dx## then Its ##-∞## at ##x=0## So I used like ##lim(a→0)=\int_a^1 lnx \, dx## and from that...
  31. W

    Friction on a flat rotating surface

    If I push an object such as a cylinder of wood along a flat table (flat face of cylinder in contact with the table) through it's center of mass, the friction or energy required is not dependent of the surface area the block makes with the table, Friction = μ N, correct? And the energy required =...
  32. Cocoleia

    Resistance, cross-sectional area of long coated wire

    Homework Statement Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I attempted all of the parts: I think I did the right things for a-b-c-d, but I am pretty unsure about e & f. Can someone verify if my logic is right? Thanks.
  33. S

    Find the area enclosed by the parametric equation

    Homework Statement Find the area of the region enclosed by the parametric equation x = t3- 7t y = 8t2 Homework Equations A = ∫ y(t) x'(t) dt The Attempt at a Solution I initially began with A = ∫ y(t) x'(t) dt And got to ∫24t4-56t2dt and then to 24∫t4dt - 56∫t2dt but without a limit/defined...
  34. W

    Quantum General textbook within the area of physics

    Hi everyone! I wanted to put a quick post up on the forum! I'm a final year undergraduate chemistry student, and my dissertation topic involves using molecular quantum dynamics to simulate charge-transfer at a solar cell heterojunction. My knowledge of quantum mechanics is acceptable, but I'm...
  35. K

    MHB Ratio Of Area To Perimeter

    The length of a rug is eight times greater then the width. if the width of the rug is (w+5), what is the ratio of the area of the rug to the perimeter of the rug in simplest form?
  36. S

    For physicists, what area do you specialize in (revamped)

    Hi everyone! I had previously posted this poll question before, but I realized (after much feedback from you) that I had not appropriately asked the various research areas/divisions of physics, so I decided to post this new poll question, asking what area of research you specialize in. Please...
  37. W

    Curvature/surface area of a tractrix

    Homework Statement Given ## ds^2 = a^2cot^2 \alpha d\alpha^2 + a^2sin^2 \alpha d\phi^2## where a is some constant. Find: a) The gaussian curvature b) the surface area of the upper half of the tractrix Homework Equations Stoke theorem: ## \int_S dF = \int_{\partial S} F ## and for curvature, we...
  38. T

    B About the surface area of a prolate ellipsoid

    Is there any limit for which we can approximately write the surface area of a prolate ellipsoid to be 4piA*B comparing with the spherical 4piR*R??
  39. K

    I Surface formed by moving area along curved axis

    I have never heard of a way to investigate this mathematically but I'm sure there is. How would you describe the surface area or volume of some 3-D surface formed by moving an enclosed area along a curved axis a certain distance? You could easily describe a torus by taking a circle and forming...
  40. N

    MHB Find value of x and area of parallelogram: a,b,c,P

    Hello, could someone please help me with this question? I don't even know where to begin. Given vectors a = (2, x, 0), b = (1, 0, −1) and c = (5, −9, 3), and let P(2, 1, −1) be a point. Find the value of x in a such that the angle between a and b is π/4, then find the area of parallelogram...
  41. J

    I Why is the area of a circular cap on a sphere not equal to πr^2?

    I had a question regarding calculating the area of a circular cap on a sphere. From what I’ve read, the area should be calculated according to; $$A = 2πr^2 \cdot (1 – cos (\frac{θ}{2} )$$ However, I have another way but I don’t understand why this isn’t correct. The circular area can be...
  42. L

    Electrostatic/electromagnetic noise and conductive area

    I play electric guitar, and electromagnetic noise is a big concern for us. There are two types of noise, those that arrive as magnetic fields and those that arrive as electrical fields. This web page is a resource from which I've derived this understanding...
  43. W

    Current through a conductor with varying cross-sectional area

    Homework Statement Homework Equations I = nqVA J = E/ρ J = I/A The Attempt at a Solution The underlying assumption was that current was constant across all 3 bits of the conductor, and thus answer is b. The concept I can't grasp is this: Why is current constant? Shouldn't a smaller A mean...
  44. karush

    MHB 242t.08.02.41 Find the area of the region bounded by

    $\tiny{242t.08.02.41}$ $\textsf{Find the area of the region bounded above by}$ $\textsf{$y=8\cos{x}$ and below by $4\sec{x}$}$ $\textsf{and the limits are $-\frac{\pi}{4}\le x \le \frac{\pi}{4}$}$ \begin{align*} \displaystyle I_{41}&=\int_{-\frac{\pi}{4}}^{\frac{\pi}{4}} (8\cos{x}-4\sec{x})\,dx...
  45. M

    MHB Calculate Area of Triangle ABC

    Point A(3, 4), point B(8, 5) and point C(7, 8) are located in quadrant 1 and form Triangle ABC. Note: Point A(a, b) Point B(c, d) Point C(e, f) Find the area of Triangle ABC using the formula below. A = (1/2)(a*d - c*b + c*e - e*d + e*b - a*e) I think this is just a plug and chug problem...
  46. A

    B How to find the appropriate area in Gauss' law

    Knowing that Gauss' law states that the closed integral of e * dA = q(enclosed)/e naut, how would you find exactly what A is in any given problem? I know it varies from situation to situation depending on the geometry of the charge. For instance, I know that for an infinite wire/line of...
  47. yecko

    Simple integration for an area problem

    Homework Statement Homework Equations Integration of graph is the area. The Attempt at a Solution I don't think my way should have any problem in it, but I can't get the right answer. Are there any careless mistakes in it? Or any other problems? And how is the true answer get? And what is...
  48. A

    MHB Area of Triangle with Given Data

    For b) area of AEF so one side is 7 - don't know how to get other 2 sides not sure if right triangle; don't think so how to use the data given since two of sides are slanted
  49. L

    Calculate area of PV diagram. Two isotherms, two isobars

    Homework Statement Everything is in attached file. Given the PV diagram with P2, P1, V2, V1. Homework Equations PV=nRT W=nRT*ln(Vf/Vi) The Attempt at a Solution Attempt in attached file is very organized. I showed 2 of my peers and they are getting the same answer as well. Anybody have any...
  50. T

    Integrating with respect to area? Past paper question

    This isn't exactly homework or coursework, it is a past paper question that I cannot find a solution to (my university doesn't like releasing answers for some reason unknown to me). The question is attached as an image (edit: the image displays while editing but not in the post, so I'll try to...
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