Area between two curves integral

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the area between the curves defined by the equations x=2-y^2 and y=-x. Participants are tasked with setting up a single integral to evaluate this area based on the intersection points identified through graphing.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the setup of the integral, with one member noting the integration with respect to y and questioning the limits of integration. There is a focus on the evaluation of the integral and the discrepancy in the area calculated versus the expected result.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing feedback on the integral setup and encouraging further exploration of the integration process. There is acknowledgment of a potential mistake in the evaluation of the integral, and one participant expresses gratitude for the guidance received.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework guidelines, which may limit the type of assistance provided. The discussion highlights the importance of correctly interpreting the limits of integration and the evaluation process.

Yosty22
Messages
182
Reaction score
4

Homework Statement



Consider the region enclosed by the curves x=2-y^2 and y=-x

Write a single integral that can be used to evaluate the area of the region. Find this area. Your answer should be a fraction reduced to its lowest terms.

Homework Equations



NA

The Attempt at a Solution



First, I graphed them and found the intersection points. The graphs intersect at the points (-2,2) and (1,-1). To write the integral, I decided to integrate with respect to y, I have:

Integral from y=2 to y=-1 of (-y)-(2-y^2)dy

Solving this, I got that the area should be 1.5, however I was told the answer is 4.5. Any ideas where I went wrong?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Yosty22 said:

Homework Statement



Consider the region enclosed by the curves x=2-y^2 and y=-x

Write a single integral that can be used to evaluate the area of the region. Find this area. Your answer should be a fraction reduced to its lowest terms.

Homework Equations



NA

The Attempt at a Solution



First, I graphed them and found the intersection points. The graphs intersect at the points (-2,2) and (1,-1). To write the integral, I decided to integrate with respect to y, I have:

Integral from y=2 to y=-1 of (-y)-(2-y^2)dy

Solving this, I got that the area should be 1.5, however I was told the answer is 4.5. Any ideas where I went wrong?

Remember: an integral is the limit of a sum of a large number of small quantities. When you evaluate a planar area you can either split it up into (a large number of narrow) vertical rectangles (long sides parallel to the y-axis) or horizontal rectangles (long sides parallel to the x-axis). Which method have you attempted to use? Did you do it correctly?
 
Last edited:
Yosty22 said:
Integral from y=2 to y=-1 of (-y)-(2-y^2)dy

Solving this, I got that the area should be 1.5, however I was told the answer is 4.5. Any ideas where I went wrong?
That should work. You'll have to give the details of the integration.
 
Well you have set this up in a very unusual form (for example, why is your lower limit 2 and your upper limit -1?), but it is a correct setup and as it turns out the integral from y=2 to y=-1 of (-y)-(2-y^2) dy is indeed 4.5. So it looks like you're having trouble with evaluating the integral.

If you need more help, why not show how you tried to evaluate the integral.
 
Last edited:
Thank you, I realized I made a stupid mistake. - I made a stupid mistake taking the integral.. Thank you guys.
 

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K