Finding the Area of an Elliptical Region Using Integration

  • Thread starter Thread starter Illusionist
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Area Integral
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The area of the region bounded by the positive x-axis, positive y-axis, and the curve defined by the equation (x^2) + (y^2/4) = 1 can be calculated using integration. The correct approach involves using vertical strips with the integral of y = 2√(1 - x^2) from 0 to 1, yielding an area of π/2. For horizontal strips, the integral of x = √(1 - (y^2/4)) from 0 to 2 also results in an area of π/2. The key to resolving discrepancies in area calculations lies in correctly identifying the integration intervals.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of integration techniques in calculus
  • Familiarity with the properties of ellipses
  • Knowledge of the Cartesian coordinate system
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the area formula for ellipses
  • Practice calculating integrals by hand to reinforce understanding
  • Explore the use of vertical and horizontal strips in area calculations
  • Learn about the implications of integration limits in calculus
USEFUL FOR

Students studying calculus, particularly those focusing on integration techniques, as well as educators and tutors looking to clarify concepts related to area calculations under curves.

Illusionist
Messages
34
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Find the area of the region bounded by the positive x-axis,
the positive y-axis and the curve:
(x^2) +[(y^2)/4] = 1
using vertical and horizontal strips.

Homework Equations


Basically I just tried to use integration to find the area, but I suspect I have made a mistake about what the interval for the integration should be.


The Attempt at a Solution


Vertical Strips -
Transposing the equation gives me: y=Sqrt[1-(x^2)]
So basically I know that the area would be the integral of this but not 100% sure between what intervals. I suspect, from a graph obtained from a graphics calculator, that is between 1 and -1.
Hence area= Integral of Sqrt[1-(x^2)] between 1 and -1.
The integral I got to be Sqrt[1-(x^2)]x + arcsin(x), from a online integration calculator. Between 1 and -1 this would give a area of Pi.

Horizontal Strips -
Transposing the equation gives me: x=Sqrt[1-[(y^2)/4])
Now the integral of this I got to be [(1/4)Sqrt(4-(y^2))].y + arcsin(y/2)
From the same graph I assume the interval for this one should be from 2 to 0. But substituting these values gives me a area of (Pi/2).

Obviously the areas need to be the same and they aren't! I'm positive that it is the intervals for integration that I am having trouble with, but where the mistake is and why I am not sure. My only guess is that becaise it says positive x and y-axis that the interval for the vertical strips should be 1 to 0, but not sure and would this approach change anything I did for the horizontal? Any help or advice would be great. Thanks guys!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
here is the mistake
y=Sqrt[1-(x^2)]
you forgot 4
y=4*Sqrt[1-(x^2)]
and interval is from 0 to 1
can you see why?
 
and just a recommendation: It is better to get use to find integrals by hand rather than calculator;)
 
matness said:
here is the mistake

you forgot 4
y=4*Sqrt[1-(x^2)]
and interval is from 0 to 1
can you see why?

Yeah sorry. Between 0 to 1 would make sense, as both horizontal and vertical would give me an area of (Pi/2) now, but using the same sort of approach is my horizontal method still right?
Thanks for that matness, and yeah I really should stop relying so heavily on my calculator.
 
Sorry i did a mistake also :
y=2*sqrt(1-x^2)
 
you can trust calculators but i want to say it is better doing by hand in order to learn and useful for other calculations
p.s.: Stop relying heavily what other people say:)
 
Yeah I get what you mean matness, thanks for everything mate. I just not really confident with what I do and why, like in this question. Still not sure what I did was right for the horizontal strips.
 
The equation says the curve is an ellipse.(see the image below)
if x = 0 then y = 2 or-2 so graph intersect the y-ax's at 2 and =2
if y=0 then x=1 or -1 similarly this means the graph intersects x-axis at this points
Anyway if you understood the graph no problem ? it is 1&4 of an ellipse

first of all integral means infinitesimall sum. Roughly you can either sum up the areas of horizontal strips or vertical strips .
lets look at the horizontal sum case
one side of the rectangle is dy and the other side is x which is equal to Sqrt[1-[(y^2)/4]
and you have a sum from 0 to 2 because your region is given in this way
the region bounded by the positive x-axis,
the positive y-axis and the curve:
(x^2) +[(y^2)/4] = 1
so you have
area=integral from 0 to 2 of Sqrt[1-[(y^2)/4]dy
vertical strips case is similliar

you can check your result by using area formula for ellipses.you have to find 1/4 of the area of the ellipse

p.s.what i wrote is not so formal things i just try to explain intuitively
i hope this does not make you confuse
 

Attachments

  • new.jpg
    new.jpg
    6.1 KB · Views: 368

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 105 ·
4
Replies
105
Views
7K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
3K