Finding the area between 3 curves

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the area between three curves defined by the equations fx=3x^3-3x, gx=3x, and hx=9-x. Participants emphasize the importance of finding the intersection points of these curves, which form a triangular region. The solution involves solving three systems of equations to determine the vertices A, B, and C, followed by setting up integrals to calculate the area between the curves. The integrals are structured as differences of functions over specified bounds derived from the intersection points.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of calculus, specifically integration techniques.
  • Familiarity with solving systems of equations.
  • Knowledge of graphing functions and interpreting intersection points.
  • Ability to work with polynomial functions and their properties.
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  • Study the process of finding intersection points of polynomial functions.
  • Learn about setting up and evaluating definite integrals.
  • Explore techniques for calculating areas between curves in calculus.
  • Review examples of similar problems involving multiple curves for practice.
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Students and educators in calculus, mathematicians interested in area calculations, and anyone looking to deepen their understanding of integration and curve analysis.

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fx=3x^3-3x, gx=3x, and hx=9-x. Find the area

I kown top - bottom and right - left. but in here i am not sure what to do and what the boundaries are. can some one show me the work how to do this problem? i am kinda confuse how to do this kind of problem with 3 curves. THANK YOU!
 
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Did you draw a picture? The region looks like a triangle, but the side formed by 3x^3-3x is curved. I would start by fining the verticies of the triangle... or the points where these lines intersect.

So we need to solve 3 systems of equations. Once you have done that you can divide the region into a true triangle and a curved slice. Find the areas of each separately.
 
sorry still don't know what to do. my book doesn't have any examples like this question
 
Look at this image:

4059633926_f5e8fc5039_m.jpg


First find the points where the graph intersects to form the triangle by solving these three systems of equations:

System 1
y=3x^3-3x
y=3x

A(x,y) =

System 2
y=3x^3-3x
y=9-x

B(x,y) =

System 3
y=9-x
y=3x

C(x,y) =

Now you can break it into two differences of integrals.

One from A to B and another from B to C.
 
ok i graphed and i found the 3 points. A:(1.4142,4.2426) B:(1.5958,7.4042) C:(2.25,6.75)
so when u say break it into 2 parts you mean (∫1.5958 on top, 1.4142 bottom (9-x)-(3x) dx)? am i heading to the right direction? if i am i don't know how to get the other part
 
The first integral will be:

\int_{x_1}^{x_2}(x^3-3x) -\int_{x_1}^{x_2}3x

Where x1 and x2 are the x values from the points A and B. then add that to the 2nd integral:

\int_{x_2}^{x_3}(9-x) -\int_{x_2}^{x_3}3x

Where x2 and x3 are the x values from the points B and C.

Don't just take my word for it! Make certian you understand *why* --think about the region each integral represents, shade in the graph if needed.

The values you found look reasonable, but it looks like you used a graphing calculator? If I were teaching this course I'd want an exact value in radicals. Just check that your prof. is OK with aprox. values.
 
HA. i see. and to get the exact radical you just set 9-x=3x^3-3x to get B and so on right? thank you so much btw
 
Yup. You'll get 3 solutions for that since the graphs intersect 3 times. Just pick the one with the largest value...
 
oops wait a minute why do i get a negative value when i do ∫ x^3-3x? and the bonds are 1.5958 and 1.4142 right? shoulden't they all be positive?

nvm my mistake
 
Last edited:
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They should all be positive.
 

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