Just diving into integral calculus

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on understanding the area of a region defined by the line y = x + 1, the y-axis, and the vertical line x = 2, particularly through the use of inscribed and circumscribed polygons. Participants explore the mathematical translation of these concepts into integral calculus, specifically through Riemann sums and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Homework-related, Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks clarification on how to mathematically find the area of the specified shape using inscribed rectangles and Riemann sums.
  • Another participant suggests that the region is a trapezoid with an area of 4 and describes a method for approximating the area using inscribed rectangles divided into subintervals.
  • A third participant questions the validity of using the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus to find the area by calculating F(2) - F(0), providing the function F(x) = x^2/2 + x as part of their reasoning.
  • A later reply confirms the method proposed by the third participant as valid.
  • One participant expresses enthusiasm about the mathematical concepts discussed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the shape of the region and the area being 4, but there is some exploration of different methods for calculating the area, particularly regarding the use of Riemann sums versus the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the boundaries of the region are not explicitly stated, and the discussion includes various methods for area calculation that may depend on the interpretation of the problem.

Who May Find This Useful

Students or individuals interested in integral calculus, particularly those looking to understand the application of Riemann sums and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus in finding areas under curves.

1MileCrash
Messages
1,338
Reaction score
41
And the first thing I'm tackling is understanding the area of a shape by inscribed/circumscribed polygons.

For example, the shape produced by the line: y = x + 1, the y axis, and the vertical line x = 2.

Now, my understanding is that the area is the limit as n approaches infinity of the sum of the area of n inscribed rectangles.

Can someone explain how this translates to actual math? How would I find the area of the above shape?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Is the other boundary of your region the x axis? If that's the region, its shape is a trapezoid whose area is 4.

Using the limit of a Riemann sum to get the value, you would divide the interval [0, 2] into some number of subintervals, and the use rectangles or some other shape to approximate the area above each subinterval.

For example, if the interval is divided into 4 subintervals, and inscribed rectangles are used, the area estimate is found to be .5*1 + .5*1.5 + .5 * 2.0 + .5 * 2.5 = .5*(7) = 3.5.

To get a better approximation, divide the interval into more subintervals.
 
Is the other boundary of your region the x axis? If that's the region, its shape is a trapezoid whose area is 4.

Is it a valid method for me to do F(2) - F(0) to arrive at that answer? Would I be applying the theorem correctly?

[itex]F(x) = \frac{x^2}{2} + x[/itex]

F(2) = 4
F(0) = 0

4-0 = 4

Since we are bounded by x = 0 and x = 2?
 
Yes.
 
That's really powerful!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
4K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K
  • · Replies 49 ·
2
Replies
49
Views
8K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 37 ·
2
Replies
37
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K