Calculus II

MAT 146
Integration Applications: Area Between Curves

A fundamental application of integration involves determining the area

under a curve for some interval on the x- or y-axis. In a previous chapter, we
reviewed or learned for the first time various methods for evaluating
integrals, including approximation techniques based on areas. When we
study improper integrals, we will determine how to calculate areas over
infinite-length x-axis or y-axis intervals and areas involving discontinuities
within limits of integration.

Here, as we consider applications of integration, we extend the idea of area

under a curve to area between two curves.

If f ( x ) ! g ( x ) for
all x on some y = f (x)
closed interval [a,b],
then the region
bounded by f and g
has area A, where
y = g(x)
b
A= " ( f ( x ) ! g ( x )) dx
a
x=a x=b
Example 1
Calculate the area between y = x 2 + 2 and y = 1! x for 0 ! x ! 1 .
4.5

a typical
3.5
rectangle
3

y = x2 + 2 2.5
( 2
)
height: x + 2 ! (1! x )
2
width: !x
1.5

y=1–x 1

0.5

– 1.5 –1 – 0.5 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

– 0.5
a=0 b=1
–1
 Step 1: Graph the two functions and identify the x-axis interval. This is
( )
useful in determining that x 2 + 2 ! (1" x ) on 0 ! x ! 1 .
Step 2: Sketch a typical rectangle within the bounded region. Determine the
height and width of this typical rectangle. Label the dimensions.
Step 3: Set up an appropriate integral to show the area of the typical
rectangle.
1
A= " (( x 2
)
+ 2 ! (1! x ) dx )
0

The integral serves to sum the areas This is the width

This is the length
of an infinite number of the typical of the typical
(height) of the
rectangles packed into the x-axis rectangle.
typical rectangle.
interval from a = 0 to b = 1.

Height x Width represents area calculation.

Step 4: Evaluate the integral.
1
#
1 1
x3 x 2 11
2
(( ) ) 2
A = " x + 2 ! (1! x ) dx = " x + x +1 dx =
0 0
(
3
+
2
+ x% =)
%$ 6
0
You can, of course, use a CAS, such as your TI-89 or an online app, to
complete this calculation.

Example 2
Determine the area between the curves 2x 3 !1 = y and x !1 = y on the
interval [1, 2 ] .

a typical
rectangle

( 3
)
height: 2x !1 ! ( x !1)
width: !x
 (
1) Look at the graph to see that 2x 3 !1 " ( x !1) on 1 ! x ! 2 . )
2) Sketch a typical rectangle and determine its area.
Area = height ! width
= #$ 2x 3 "1 " ( x "1)%& 'x
( )
3) Build an integral that sums these areas.
2
A= " ((2x 3
)
!1 ! ( x !1) dx )
1
4) Evaluate the integral.
2
#
2 2
x4
x2 %
A= " ((2x 3
)
!1 ! ( x !1) dx = ) "( 3
)
2x ! x dx =
2
+
2 %$
=6
1 1
1

Example 3
2
Determine the area bounded by curves f (x) = ( x !1) and g(x) = !x + 3 .
4.5

(–1,4)
4

3.5

2.5
f(x) = (x – 1)2
2

1.5
a typical
1
rectangle g( x ) = 3 – x
(2,1)

0.5

– 1.5 –1 – 0.5 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

– 0.5
b=2
a = –1
–1

The area of a typical rectangle is:

Area = height ! width
= #$("x + 3) " ( x "1) %& 'x
2

To determine limits of integration, we need to determine the x-coordinates of

the points of intersection f (x) = g(x) :
2
!x + 3 = ( x !1) " x = !1, x = 2 (using TI-89 solve command)
Integrate:
2 2
9
" ((!x + 3) ! ( x !1) ) dx = " (!x
2
A= 2
+ x + 2 dx = ) 2
!1 !1

Example 4
Determine the area bounded by curves y = x 3 ! 3x + 2 and y = x + 2 .
4.5

y= x3 – 3·x + 2 4
(2,4)

3.5

y=x+2
3

2.5

one typical another

Area Rectangle 1 rectangle 2 typical
(0,2)
rectangle
= "# x 3 ! 3x + 2 ! ( x + 2)$% &x
( ) 1.5

1
Area Rectangle 2
0.5 = "#( x + 2) ! x 3 ! 3x + 2 $% &x
( )
(–2,0)
–3 –2 –1 1 2 3 4

b2 = 2
– 0.5
a1= –2 b1= 0 a2= 0
–1

– 1.5
Here, the graph shows two bounded regions. We also needed to determine
two x-axis intervals, for integration. We solved x 3 ! 3x + 2 = x + 2 to
determine the x-coordinates of the ordered-pair points of intersection noted
in the figure.

This leads to the following area calculation:

0 2
A = & "# x 3 ! 3x + 2 ! ( x + 2)$% dx + & "#( x + 2) ! x 3 ! 3x + 2 $% dx
( ) ( )
!2 0

= 4+4
=8
Notice, too, the symmetry of the graphs. The two bounded regions have
equal area. Of course, we’d need to formally justify that indeed there is such
symmetry.

Example 5
Calculate the area of the region bounded by x = y 2 !1 and x = 3 .

Here, it may be more efficient to consider a typical rectangle oriented with

respect to the y-axis. If so, we need integration limits on the y-axis. To
determine these (potential) y values, we set the two functions equal to each
other and solve for y:
y 2 !1 = 3 " y = ±2
These are the values for a and b shown in the plot accompanying this
example.
This generates the following area calculation, with y as the variable of
integration:
2
32
A = & "#3 ! y 2 !1 $% dy =
( )
!2 3
Notice, too, that we could have transformed the functions into functions with
x as the independent variable ( x = y 2 !1 " y = ± x +1 ). The integral for
area calculation with x as the independent variable is:
3 3
" $ ' 16 * 32
!1
( )
A = & # x +1 ! ! x +1 % dx = 2 & x +1 dx = 2 ) , =
!1
( 3 + 3
.

Example 6
1
Determine the area of region R, between the curves y = cos (! x ) and y = ,
2
where R is the first region to the right of the origin (i.e., x > 0 ) bounded by
the curves.

1
We solve cos (! x ) = to determine the smallest positive values of x that
2
satisfy the equation: x = 1/3 and x = 5/3. This leads to
 5
3
"1 % 2 3
A = ( $ ! cos (! x )' dx = + ) 1.5327
1 #2 & 3 2
3

These examples help illustrate important steps you can carry out when
calculating area between two curves:
• Graph the functions in question and identify the number of bounded
regions as well as which function is greater than the other for each
region.
• Determine the x-axis intervals (or y-axis intervals) for the bounded
regions. The interval endpoints may be explicitly stated or can be
determined using algebraic techniques, most typically by setting the
two functions equation to each other.
• Draw in a typical rectangle and determine its area. This provides
essential information for the area integral you need to create.
• For each bounded region, create a definite integral to represent the
sum of the areas of an infinite number of typical rectangles. Evaluate
this integral to determine the area of each bounded region.
Note that your TI-89 or other CAS can be a useful tool for several
components of your solution process.