How can I accurately calculate the area between two curves?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the area between two curves, specifically involving the functions \(\sqrt{2x}\) and \(x + 4\). The original poster expresses confusion regarding their integration approach and the discrepancy between their calculated area and the expected answer.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss finding points of intersection and the shapes formed by the curves and lines. There are suggestions to visualize the area as a triangle and to consider different methods of integration, including double integrals.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with various interpretations of the problem being explored. Some participants suggest alternative methods for calculating the area, while others seek clarification on the original poster's approach. No consensus has been reached on the best method yet.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of confusion regarding the limits of integration and the shapes formed by the curves, indicating potential misunderstandings about the problem setup. The original poster also notes difficulties with LaTeX formatting.

Procrastinate
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I am having trouble with this question: (QUESTION AS ATTACHED)


This is what I tried to do:
I found the intercepts of the difference of the two functions which I found to be only 8.

Then I integrated this into the new function:
[tex]\int{\sqrt{2x}-x+4}[/tex]. with limits of 0 and 8 (I don't know how to Latex this)

This, according to my Graphics Calculator yielded 21.3.

However, the answer is 18, what have I done wrong?

Edit: [tex]\int_0^8 (\sqrt{2x} -x + 4)\,dx[/tex]
 

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First, find where the line intersects the curve.

Then from the points of intersection, draw a horizontal line to the y-axis, what shape is formed with the straight line and these two new lines you just drew? What is the area of this shape?

EDIT:
I see what you are doing now. Your way will be the same, you will need to subtract the same amount of times.
 
Last edited:
Procrastinate said:
Then I integrated this into the new function:
[tex]\int{\sqrt{2x}-x+4}[/tex]. with limits of 0 and 8 (I don't know how to Latex this)

Click on my LaTeX output image below to find out:

[tex]\int_0^8 (\sqrt{2x} -x + 4)\,dx[/tex]​
 
rock.freak667 said:
Then from the points of intersection, draw a horizontal line to the y-axis.

I am not sure what you mean here, but is the answer a triangle?
 
Procrastinate said:
I am not sure what you mean here, but is the answer a triangle?

Yep. You can get the area of the triangle. You can get the area of the region bounded by the curve and the y-axis and then subtract.
 
I think that this would work best as a double integral. Your y-limits are between 2 and 8 and your x-limits are between y^{2}=2x and y=x-4, this will give you the correct answer.

Mat
 
It is easier to calculate the area enclosed by the lines of the inverse functions, x=y+4 and x=y^2/2.

ehild
 

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