Find the area bounded be the curve with the equation y = x^2, the line x = 1, the line x = -1, and the x-axis.

The answer is 2/3. This can either be obtained by performing a standard integration of y=x^2, using the power rule, between x = 1 and x = -1. Alternatively, integrate y = x^2 between x = 0 and x = 1, then double the result after noticing that y = x^2 is an even function.The latter way avoids dealing with having to cube negative numbers if calculation is not a strong point for the student.