Find the area enclosed between the curves y = f(x) and y = g(x)

Don't forget, in order to find the area under a curve y=f(x) between two values x=a and x=b we integrate f(x) between a and b.Thus to find the area enclosed between two curves y=f(x) and y=g(x) we simply need to integrate (g(x)-f(x)), with the negative in front of whichever function has smaller values between a and b. We can go through an example to see how this works.Find the area enclosed between the curves y = x2 + 2x + 2 and y = -x2 +2x + 10.Equate the two and simplify to get a=-2, b=2.-x2 +2x + 10 is larger, so this is g(x) and we must integrate g(x) - f(x) = -2x2 + 8.This integration yields -2x3/3 + 8x, which when evaluated at a=-2, b=2 gives 64/3.

MG
Answered by Matthew G. Maths tutor

5595 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

3(a+4)=ac+5f. Rearrange to make a the subject.


how do you do binomial expansion when the power is a negative


How to draw the inverse of a function ?


At each point P of a curve for which x > 0 the tangent cuts the y-axis at T, and N is the foot of the perpendicular from P to the y-axis. If T is always 1 unit below N and the curve passes through the point (1,0), find the Cartesian equation of the curve.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning