Module 8

ENGINEERING CALCULUS II

In this Module

 Plane Areas
 Areas between Two Curves

At the completion of this module, you should be able to:

 Calculate plane areas using the concepts of definite integrals.
 Calculate areas between curves using the concepts of definite integrals
 Calculate areas bounded by polar curves.

Are you ready? Then start the lesson now!

Engineering Calculus, Surigao del Sur State University – Bislig Page | 1

Lesson
PLANE AREAS
1

INTRODUCTION
Looking back to Module 7 Lesson 1, we made it clear that if slope is to derivatives, area
is to integrals. We also made it clear that we can approximate any area by forming
rectangles, looking for the area of each rectangle and adding them all up. Then lastly,
we have shown that if we infinitely multiply the number of rectangles to be added, we
will get the most accurate approximation of the area (or if not the exact area).
In this chapter, we will now be applying the concept of integrals to solve for the area to
make our solutions easier, with better approximations.
Going back to the definition of definite integrals, we have this formula:
b n

∫ f ( x ) dx=lim ∑ f ( x i¿ ) ∆ x
a n→∞ i=1

The very concept of solving for areas using definite integrals lies in the equation above.

Suppose we have a curve y=f (x ). And we are asked to solve for the area under this
curve from the boundaries a to b.
Recall in Module 7 Lesson 1 that when we solve for the height of each rectangle, we
used the function value. Thus, we can say that the height of each rectangle varies
depending on where the point is. Thus, we have a height of rectangle which is equal to
y.
Since, we are infinitely increasing the number of rectangles to be added, it is safe to say
that the width of this rectangles are as small as possible. We can’t just say the width is 1
, or 0.5, or 0.1, or 0.001 and so on. The width should be as small as possible. Thus, we
represent the width with the term dx. Why dx?
The term dx which is commonly used in calculus can be think of as an infinitesimally
small change in x. Remember ∆ x in differential calculus? This dx though has no

Engineering Calculus, Surigao del Sur State University – Bislig Page | 2

numerical value. Rather, it captures the idea we are trying to use here which is as small
as possible.
This will also help explain why we are using rectangles. Look at the graph in the
previous page. If we zoom in the graph to the point that we can see (and justify the
width concept of as small as possible), the curve won’t be a curve anymore. It will come
to a point where you can see a small strip of rectangle defined by the elements y=f (x )
and dx. The rectangle drawing above is just a representation to tell us that we have a
rectangular strip.
Now that we have a both elements of a rectangle, we can now proceed in solving for the
area.
A=lw
We have a length (or in this case height) which is expressed as y=f (x ) and the width
which is expressed as dx.Thus,
A=f ( x ) dx
Since we are going to add up all rectangular strips, that explains the summation
function. We know that n means number of intervals between the boundaries. So if we
are going for infinite number of intervals, we take the limit of the summation as it
approaches infinity. That explains the limit function.
b n

∫ f ( x ) dx=lim ∑ f ( x i¿ ) ∆ x
a n→∞ i=1

And since this will be very hard to calculate considering that there is an infinite amount
of intervals involved, we ultimately use the formula:
b

∫ y dx=F ( b )−F (a)

a

EXAMPLE 1. Find the area under the curve y=x 2 from x=1 to x=3.
Solution:
Since the boundaries of 1 and 3 is given, we can just directly substitute it to the formula.
b

∫ y dx=F ( b )−F (a)

a

3 3
x3 33 13 26
2
[ ] [ ][ ]
∫ x dx= 3 = 3 − 3 = 3 square units
1 1

EXAMPLE 2. Find the area bounded by the curve y=4−x 2 and the x-axis.
Solution:
Notice in the given problem, there are no limits or interval of integration given. Thus, we
have to look for the boundaries in order for us to solve for the area. Since we are asked
to find for the area between the curve and the x-axis, it is safe to say that the curve
passes through the x-axis. The x-axis can be represented by the equation y=0. To look
for the points of intersection between the curve and the x-axis, we equate both
equations.

4−x 2=0

x 2=4

Engineering Calculus, Surigao del Sur State University – Bislig Page | 3

x=± 2

We can clearly see that the graph of the curve intersects the x-axis at x=−2 and x=2.
Thus we have the interval of integration [ −2 ,2 ]. Since it is a polynomial function with no
negative exponent, then it is continuous.
Now we can proceed to integration.
2 2
x3 ( 2 )3 (−2 )3 32
−2
2
[
∫ 4−x dx= 4 x− 3 ] [
−2
= 4 ( 2 )−
3 ][ − 4 (−2 )−
3 ]
= square units
3

The additional idea here is you know how to graph curves in order to help you locate the
intersections. The graph of the curves will also give you the visual input you would need
in analyzing the problems, and then again checking if the functions is continuous or
discontinuous.

LESSON TEST

Engineering Calculus, Surigao del Sur State University – Bislig Page | 4

Answer the following problems. Show you solutions in a whole sheet of paper. Send your
answers to my facebook account Toper Man.

Find the area under the curve.

1. y=3 x 2 from x=1 to x=2

2. y=x 3 from x=−1 to x=2

3. y 2=4 x from x=1 to x=4

Engineering Calculus, Surigao del Sur State University – Bislig Page | 5

Lesson
AREA BETWEEN TWO CURVES
2

In this lesson, we are going to look at finding the area between two curves. There are actually
two cases that we are going to be looking at.
In the first case, we want to determine the area between y=f (x ) and y=g (x) on the interval
[ a , b ]. We are also going to assume (for discussion’s sake) that f (x)> g( x ). If it becomes
f ( x )=g (x), then obviously, we have nothing to solve. Let’s take a look at the following sketch
to get an idea of what we’re initially going to look at.

The formula for the area in this case is:

b
A=∫ f ( x )−g(x )dx
a

The second case is almost identical to the first case. Here, we are going to determine the area
between x=f ( y ) and x=g( y) on the interval [ c , d ] with f ( y ) > g( y).

Engineering Calculus, Surigao del Sur State University – Bislig Page | 6

In this case, the formula is:
b
A=∫ f ( y )−g( y) dy
c

Now, both those formulas are serviceable, however, it is sometimes easy to forget that both
formulas require the first function to be the larger of the two functions. So, instead of using
these formulas, we will use the “word” formulas to make sure that we easily remember.
In the first case, we will use:
b
A=∫ ( upper function ) −( lower function ) dx
a

In the second case, we will use:

d
A=∫ ¿ ¿ ¿−( ¿ ) ¿ dy
c

Remember though, that in order to determine which is upper/lower or right/left, it is suggested

that you graph both functions (unless you can already see which is which).
Another thing that you should also check to see if the integration could work is if it is
continuous or not. In this problems, it is very easy. You just have to draw a line.
 In the first case, draw vertical lines as many as you can. If all those lines pass from the
upper function to the lower function at all times, you can proceed with the process.
 In the second case, draw horizontal line as many as you can. If all those lines pass from
the right function to the left function at all times, you can proceed with the process.
EXAMPLE 1. Determine the area of the region enclosed by y=x 2 and y= √ x .
Solution:
First, we have to determine the points of intersection between these two curves in order for us
to determine the interval of integration.
x 2= √ x
x 4 =x
x 4 −x=0
x ( x 3 −1 )=0
x=0 x 3=1
x=1
x 3−1=0

Now that we have the interval of integration, let’s look at the graph.
The graph will also prove to us that the two curves intersect at x=0 and x=1.
First thing you do is draw the lines.
If we try to draw the vertical lines, we can see that all those lines pass through the upper
function to the lower function.
If we also try to draw the horizontal lines, we can also see that all those lines through the right
function to the lower function.

Engineering Calculus, Surigao del Sur State University – Bislig Page | 7

Thus, in this example, we can both use the two cases to solve for the area. Let’s see if we have
the same answer.

If we use the first case, we have:

b
A=∫ ( upper function ) −( lower function ) dx
a

3 1
1
A=∫ √ x−x 2 dx=
0
[ 2x
3
2
−
x
3
3

]
0

3 3

A= [
2 ( 1 ) 2 13
3
− −
3 ][
2 ( 0 ) 2 03 1
3
− = square units
3 3 ]
If we use the second case, we have:
d
A=∫ ¿ ¿ ¿−( ¿ ) ¿ dy
c

Since the intervals of integration that we have first is x=0 and x=1, we have to look at their y
counterparts considering that in the equation, we have dy. Thus, we just plainly substitute this
two xs to either of the two functions. (They will have the same answer).
y= √ x
@ x=0 , y =√ 0 , y =0
@ x=1, y= √1 , y=1

y=x 2
@ x=0 , y =02 , y=0
@ x=1, y=12 , y=1
Thus, we have the interval of integration of the second case y=0 and y=1.

Engineering Calculus, Surigao del Sur State University – Bislig Page | 8

We also have to express both equations in terms of y. Thus, it becomes:
y= √ x
x= y 2
(This is the left function)

y=x 2
x=√ y
(This is the right function)
d
A=∫ ¿ ¿ ¿−( ¿ ) ¿ dy
c

3 1
1
A=∫ √ y − y 2 dy=
0
[ 2y
3
2
−
y
3
3

]
0

3 3

A= [
2( 1) 1
3
− −
3
2 3
2 ( 0)
3 ][
03 1 2
− = square units
3 3 ]
EXAMPLE 2. Find the area bounded by y=3 x and y=x 2.
Solution:

This is the graph of the two curves. y=3 x is the blue line and y=x 2 is the red line.
First thing we need to do is to draw the vertical lines and the horizontal lines to check which of
the two cases we will use (or if both can be used). You can check them yourselves but as it turns
out, we can use both cases. But in this problem, we will only use the first case. It will be your
task to solve for the area using the second case.
Using the first case, we have:
b
A=∫ ( upper function ) −( lower function ) dx
a

The upper function is the blue line and the lower function is the red line. Thus,

Engineering Calculus, Surigao del Sur State University – Bislig Page | 9

b
A=∫ 3 x −x2 dx
a

By just checking the graph, we can already say that the interval of integration is from 0 to 3. To
prove it mathematically, we have:
3 x=x 2
x 2−3 x=0
x ( x−3 )=0
x=0 x−3=0
x=3
Thus,
3 3
3 x2 x3
A=∫ 3 x −x dx=
0
2
2
− [
3 ]0

3 ( 3 ) 2 33 3 ( 0 ) 2 03 9
A= [ 2 ][
− −
3 2 3 ]
− = square units
2
(Again, it will be your task to solve the area using the second case and check if it is the same
with our answer.)
EXAMPLE 3. Find the area between y 2=x and y 2=2−x .
Solution:
First, we have to graph the two curves to help us determine which case to be used. If you are
having a hard time in graphing this two curves, you can just do the table of values. But first, let
us determine the intersections.
Since they are both y 2,
x=2−x
2 x=2
x=1
Substituting it to either of the equations, we have:
y 2=x
y 2=1
y=± 1

y 2=2−x
y 2=2−1
y 2=1
y=± 1

The red line is y 2=x and the blue line is y 2=2−x .

Engineering Calculus, Surigao del Sur State University – Bislig Page | 10

If we try to draw the vertical lines:
 At the left side, we will just have vertical linse that will only pass through the red line.
 At the right side, we will just have vertical lines that will only pass through the blue line.
If we try to draw the horizontal lines, we can see that the lines pass through from the blue to
the red, from the right function to the right function. Thus, we use the second case.
Before we proceed, we still have to express both equation in terms of y. Thus,
y 2=x
x= y 2
(This is the left function)

y 2=2−x
x=2− y 2
(This is the right function)

d
A=∫ ¿ ¿ ¿−( ¿ ) ¿ dy
c

1 1 1
2 y3
2 2
A=∫ ( 2− y ) − y dy=∫ 2−2 y dy= 2 y −
−1 −1
2
3 [ ]
−1

2 ( 1 )3 2 (−1 )3 8
[
A= 2 ( 1 )−
3 ][ − 2 (−1 )−
3 ]
= squareunits
3

LESSON TEST
Answer the following problems. Show you solutions in a whole sheet of
paper. Send your answers to my facebook account Toper Man.

Engineering Calculus, Surigao del Sur State University – Bislig Page | 11

Find the area bounded by the given curves.

1. y 2=x +1 and y=1−x

2. y 2=4 x and y=2 x−4

3. x 2= y−1 and x= y −3

4. x 2=4 y and 3 x−4 y+ 4=0

5. y=x 2−6 x +10 and x=6 and y=2

Engineering Calculus, Surigao del Sur State University – Bislig Page | 12