MHB 4.5.1 AP Calculus Exam .... area of piece wise funcion

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The discussion focuses on calculating the integral of a piecewise function, specifically using the integrand \( xf(x) \). The function \( f(x) \) is defined as \( x \) for \( x \le 0 \) and \( x + 1 \) for \( x > 0 \), leading to \( xf(x) \) being \( x^2 \) for \( x \le 0 \) and \( x^2 + x \) for \( x > 0 \). The integral from -2 to 1 is split into two parts, resulting in a total value of \( \frac{7}{2} \). The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding how to partition the domain of the integral for accurate calculations. Mastery of these concepts is crucial for success in calculus exams.
karush
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ok well it isn't just adding the areas of 2 functions but is $xf(x)$ as an integrand

Yahoo had an answer to this but its never in Latex so I couldn't understand how they got $\dfrac{7}{2}$
 
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karush said:
ok well it isn't just adding the areas of 2 functions but is $xf(x)$ as an integrand

Yahoo had an answer to this but its never in Latex so I couldn't understand how they got $\dfrac{7}{2}$

What have you tried? Why can't you split it up at x = 0. Is xf(x) ever negative on that interval?
 
Since f(x)= x if x\le 0 and f(x)= x+ 1 if x> 0, xf(x)= x^2 if x\le 0 and xf(x)= x^2+ x if x> 0. So \int_{-2}^1 xf(x)dx= \int_{-2}^0 x^2 dx+ \int_0^1 x^2+ x dx.

\int_{-2}^0 x^2 dx= \left[\frac{1}{3}x^3\right]_{-2}^0= \frac{1}{3}(0- (-8))= \frac{8}{3}.

\int_0^1 x^2+ x dx= \left[\frac{1}{3}x^3+ \frac{1}{2}x^2\right]_0^1= \frac{1}{3}+ \frac{1}{2}= \frac{5}{6}.

\int_{-2}^1 xf(x) dx= \frac{8}{3}+ \frac{5}{6}= \frac{16}{6}+ \frac{5}{6}= \frac{21}{6}= \frac{7}{2}.
 
I thot of doing that but didn't think it was correct🤔

These exam questions you got to be very careful they are very subtle
 
HallsofIvy said:
Since f(x)= x if x\le 0 and f(x)= x+ 1 if x> 0, xf(x)= x^2 if x\le 0 and xf(x)= x^2+ x if x> 0. So \int_{-2}^1 xf(x)dx= \int_{-2}^0 x^2 dx+ \int_0^1 x^2+ x dx.

\int_{-2}^0 x^2 dx= \left[\frac{1}{3}x^3\right]_{-2}^0= \frac{1}{3}(0- (-8))= \frac{8}{3}.

\int_0^1 x^2+ x dx= \left[\frac{1}{3}x^3+ \frac{1}{2}x^2\right]_0^1= \frac{1}{3}+ \frac{1}{2}= \frac{5}{6}.

\int_{-2}^1 xf(x) dx= \frac{8}{3}+ \frac{5}{6}= \frac{16}{6}+ \frac{5}{6}= \frac{21}{6}= \frac{7}{2}.
mahalo
 
karush said:
I thot of doing that but didn't think it was correct🤔

These exam questions you got to be very careful they are very subtle

This one is not anywhere near "subtle". It wants to know if you know that you can partition the Domain of the integral. This is a very important, fundamental principle.
 

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