Area bounded by curves

1. Jan 13, 2004

noboost4you

This is the problem: find the area of the region bounded by the curves f(x) = x^2 + 2 and g(x) = 4 - x^2 on the interval [-2,2]

I did the whole integral from -2 to 2 with (4-x^2) - (x^2 + 2) dx because the graph of g(x) is on top between the region bounded. But from my drawing, the points where the curves meet and shaded in the area is between -1 and 1. What am I doing wrong?

My answer came to be -8/3 and area can't be negative. Any suggestions?

Thanks

2. Jan 13, 2004

pnaj

It's a of an ambiguous question ... see my attached image. Check that question for typo's, just in case.

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3. Jan 13, 2004

noboost4you

no typos here. he wrote this problem on the board today, maybe he has it wrong?? the question never says anything about the area under the curves, just the region bounded by the curves on the interval [-2,2]. maybe i need to draw imaginary vertical lines at -2 and 2 and include that area as well as under the curves?

i'm lost and it's only the 2nd day of class...oohh, i can't wait until the 3rd day

4. Jan 13, 2004

pnaj

Don't worry. I'm sure if you pointed out the confusion, he'll tell what he meant.

5. Jan 13, 2004

noboost4you

So as it stands right now, that equation is impossible to answer? Correct?

6. Jan 14, 2004

HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
I wouldn't say it was impossible, just ambiguous as to exactly what was being asked. Since the problem asks for "area bounded by the curves between -2 and 2, I would say it must be:

&int;-2-1((x2+2)-(4-x2)dx+ &int;-11((4-x2)-(x2+2))dx+ &int;12((x2+2)-(4-x2))dx.

That is, reverse the subtraction on the two ends where the curves are reversed.

7. Jan 14, 2004

nille40

The area bounded by $$f(x)$$ and $$g(x)$$ where $$a \le x \le b$$ is given by

$$\int_a^b \left|f(x)-g(x)\right|\mathrm{d}x$$

Consider the integral
$$\int_{\pi}^{2\pi} \sin x \mathrm{d}x$$

The graph is below the x-axis, so the value will be negative. An area can't be negative, so you just take the absolute value of it.

Regards,
Nille

8. Jan 19, 2004

IceZero

What I am guessing he wanted you to do is to include the two areas on each side of the curves....So include the area from -2 to -1 from -1 to 1 and from 1 to 2.... Thats what I prob would do...So then you would have three separate integrals 2 of which should be the same area...and one different one in the middle..

Just my 2 cents...

9. Jan 19, 2004

noboost4you

Yes, the answer included 3 separate integrals. The final solution came to 8. Thanks to all who helped out. I really appreciate it.

10. Jan 19, 2004

IceZero

No problemo my friend...I though it would include 3 separate integrals otherwise he wouldn't have given you intervals...If he didn't give u intervals then you would only have one integral from -1 to 1...But since he told you that you have interval from -2 to 2,then you would have to sketch the graph, see how it looks, and then come up with the fact that there is actually 3 separate areas which need to be added...