Calc problem (area of parametric curves)

In summary, the conversation is discussing how to find the area bounded by a parametric equation, specifically x=cos{t} and y=e^t, and the lines y=1 and x=0. The solution involves using the formula Area = \int f(t)g'(t)dt with the bounds changing in each step to arrive at the final integral of \int_0^\frac{pi}{2} (e^t-1)(-sin(t))dt. The conversation also addresses the confusion about why the area is given by \int_0^1 (y-1)dx instead of \int_0^\frac{pi}{2} e^t(-sin{t})dt, with the
  • #1
itzela
34
0
calc 2 problem (area bound by parametric eq.)

I'm having a problem with this question:
Find the area bounded by the curve [tex] x=cos{t}\ y= e^t[/tex],
[tex] 0\geq t\leq\pi/2\ [/tex],
and the lines [tex] y=1\ x=0 [/tex]

... I came up with [tex] \int e^t(-sin{t})dt [/tex] from [tex] 0\to\pi/2[/tex]

But apparently I'm missing steps... which I'm not aware of! Please help!
 
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  • #2
try to write t in terms of x and then replace t with what you have found in the other equation...
 
  • #3
What i did was i used the formula [tex] Area= \int f(t)g'(t)dt [/tex] and plugged in [tex] f(t) = e^t\ g'(t) = -sint [/tex],
which is how i came to the this: [tex] \int e^t(-sin{t})dt [/tex]
with a bound of [tex] 0\to\pi/2[/tex]

Although I'm suppose to start of by
1. letting the Area [tex] = \int (y-1)dx [/tex]
with a bound of [tex] 0\to1 [/tex],
2. And then that would equal to [tex] \int (e^t - 1)(-sint)dt\ [/tex]
with a bound of [tex] \pi/2\to 0 [/tex]
3. Which would result in [tex] \int e^t sint - sint dt [/tex]
with a bound [tex] 0\to\pi/2 [/tex]

I don't get how the integral in 1. was reached :confused: or why bounds were changed in each step... any help would be appreciated
 
  • #4
itzela said:
What i did was i used the formula [tex] Area= \int f(t)g'(t)dt [/tex] and plugged in [tex] f(t) = e^t\ g'(t) = -sint [/tex],
which is how i came to the this: [tex] \int e^t(-sin{t})dt [/tex]
with a bound of [tex] 0\to\pi/2[/tex]

Although I'm suppose to start of by
1. letting the Area [tex] = \int (y-1)dx [/tex]
with a bound of [tex] 0\to1 [/tex],
2. And then that would equal to [tex] \int (e^t - 1)(-sint)dt\ [/tex]
with a bound of [tex] \pi/2\to 0 [/tex]
3. Which would result in [tex] \int e^t sint - sint dt [/tex]
with a bound [tex] 0\to\pi/2 [/tex]

I don't get how the integral in 1. was reached :confused: or why bounds were changed in each step... any help would be appreciated
I think the parametric equations are throwing you of think back to when you first did area problems. Think of y(x)=exp(Arccos(x))
to find the area bounded by x=0 y=1 and y=exp(Arccos(x)) do as you would do then
[tex] =\int_0^1 (y-1)dx [/tex]
or
[tex] =\int_0^1 (e^{{Arccos}(x)}-1)dx [/tex]
now do a change of variable
x=cos(t)
dx=-sin(t)dt
0<x<1
becomes
0<t<pi/2
this is how the bounds change
so we have
[tex] = \int_0^\frac{pi}{2} (e^t-1)(-sin(t))dt [/tex]
 
  • #5
I'm so sorry... but I still don't understand why the area wouldn't be given by:
[tex] \int_0^\frac{pi}{2} e^t(-sin{t})dt [/tex]

How did arrive to [tex] = \int_0^1 (y-1)dx [/tex]
 
  • #6
itzela said:
I'm so sorry... but I still don't understand why the area wouldn't be given by:
[tex] \int_0^\frac{pi}{2} e^t(-sin{t})dt [/tex]

How did arrive to [tex] = \int_0^1 (y-1)dx [/tex]
It is because you want the area between y and 1. Recall that to find the area between f(x) and g(x) where f(x)>g(x) and x=a, x=b you find

[tex] =\int_a^b (f(x)-g(x))dx [/tex]
This is the same, but in this example f(x)=y g(x)=1 a=0 b=1 so
[tex] =\int_0^1 (y-1)dx [/tex]
 
  • #7
Thanks a bunch! That explanation really helped =) I can solve it from here on.
 

1. What is a parametric curve?

A parametric curve is a set of equations that describe the coordinates of a point on a graph as a function of a third variable, usually denoted by t. This allows for more complex and dynamic shapes to be represented in a graph.

2. How do you find the area under a parametric curve?

To find the area under a parametric curve, you can use the formula A = ∫ab f(x)g'(x)dx, where f(x) and g(x) are the parametric equations for the curve. This is essentially finding the integral of the function g'(x) with respect to x, within the interval a and b.

3. Can you use the same methods to find the area of a parametric curve as you would for a regular curve?

No, the methods for finding the area of a parametric curve are different from those used for a regular curve. This is because the parametric equations describe the curve in terms of a third variable, so you must use a different formula to find the area.

4. How do you know if a parametric curve is closed?

A parametric curve is closed if the starting and ending points are the same. You can also check if the curve intersects itself at any point, which would also indicate that it is closed.

5. Are there any special cases when finding the area under a parametric curve?

Yes, there are some special cases to consider when finding the area under a parametric curve. For example, if the curve intersects itself, you may need to break up the integral into separate parts. Additionally, if the curve crosses the x-axis, you may need to use the absolute value of g'(x) in the integral formula.

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