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

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of the area under a piecewise function using integration, specifically in the context of an AP Calculus exam question. Participants explore the integration of the function defined as \( f(x) = x \) for \( x \leq 0 \) and \( f(x) = x + 1 \) for \( x > 0 \), and how to correctly set up the integrals to find the total area from \( x = -2 \) to \( x = 1 \).

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the integral should be set up as \( \int_{-2}^1 xf(x)dx \), which involves breaking it into two parts based on the piecewise definition of \( f(x) \).
  • One participant calculates the integrals separately for the two intervals, arriving at \( \frac{7}{2} \) as the total area.
  • Another participant expresses uncertainty about the correctness of their approach, indicating that exam questions can be subtle and require careful consideration.
  • A later reply asserts that the question is not subtle and emphasizes the importance of understanding how to partition the domain of the integral.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the subtlety of the exam question and the correctness of the integration approach. There is no consensus on the interpretation of the problem or the method used to solve it.

Contextual Notes

Some participants question whether the function \( xf(x) \) can be negative over the specified interval, and there is mention of the need to be careful with the partitioning of the integral's domain.

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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