Why Is My Integration of the Region Between y=2x and y=x^2+3x-6 Incorrect?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the area of the region bounded by the equations y = 2x and y = x^2 + 3x - 6. The original poster has identified the points of intersection and is attempting to set up the integral for the area between the curves.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to integrate the function x^2 + 3x - 6 from -3 to 2 but questions the correctness of their approach. They later clarify that the integration should be set up as x^2 + 3x - 6 - 2x. Participants suggest evaluating the function at x = 0 to check for errors and question the order of the curves.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing the setup of the integral and exploring potential errors in the original poster's reasoning. There is a suggestion to evaluate the functions at a specific point to clarify which function is on top, indicating a productive direction in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses confusion regarding the integration process and the expected result from their textbook, indicating a potential misunderstanding of the area calculation between the curves.

FuturEngineer
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Homework Statement


Find the region bounded by y= 2x and y = x^2 + 3x - 6.
I found the points of intersection to be x= -3, 2 by setting the equations equal to each other and solving for x.
I concluded that y = x^2+3x-6 is bigger since I tried a point in between the points of intersection and it came out to be greater.

Homework Equations


y =2x
y= x^2+3x-6
x= -3, 2

The Attempt at a Solution


I tried integrating x^2+3x-6 dx from -3 to 2. But it doesn't work. What am I doing wrong?
I also tried separating the integrals and integrating from -3 to 0, and from 0 to 2, but doesn't seem to work either. The back of my book says that the answer should be 81/32 but I don't know how they got there. Help!
Thanks!
 
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Forgot to mention it should be integrating x^2+3x-6 - 2x (the other line).
 
FuturEngineer said:
Forgot to mention it should be integrating x^2+3x-6 - 2x (the other line).
Does this mean that now you do know what to integrate ?
 
FuturEngineer said:

Homework Statement


Find the region bounded by y= 2x and y = x^2 + 3x - 6.
I found the points of intersection to be x= -3, 2 by setting the equations equal to each other and solving for x.
I concluded that y = x^2+3x-6 is bigger since I tried a point in between the points of intersection and it came out to be greater.
Did you try ##x=0##?
 
LCKurtz said:
Did you try ##x=0##?
No, why 0 though? Then y= 2x == 0 and the other equation would be -6. Is that what you mean?
 
SammyS said:
Does this mean that now you do know what to integrate ?
That's what I tried integrating but its not correct according to my book...
 
FuturEngineer said:
Forgot to mention it should be integrating x^2+3x-6 - 2x (the other line).

LCKurtz said:
Did you try ##x=0##?

FuturEngineer said:
No, why 0 though? Then y= 2x == 0 and the other equation would be -6. Is that what you mean?

The reason I suggested trying ##x=0## is it is the easiest, hence less error-prone, number to try. It might have prevented whatever error you made. You have your upper and lower curves reversed.
 

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