MATH 115: Integral Bonus

Dylan C. Beck
2 May 2018

Bonus. Let c be a positive real number. Consider the curves g(x) = c and h(x) = 2x − 3x3 .
(a.) Compute the value of c so that the area under the curve g(x) but above the curve h(x) is
equal to the area under the curve h(x) but above the curve g(x).
(Hint: Graph the curve h(x), and notice that h(x) = c must have two positive real so-
lutions. Call these solutions u and v such that u < v without loss of generality, and ob-
Rserve that we have 2u −R 3u3 = c and 2v − 3v 3 = c. Compute the definite integrals
u v
0
[g(x) − h(x)] dx and u [h(x) − g(x)] dx side-by-side, and compare your results to ob-
tain an equation of the form p(v) = 0 for some polynomial p with constant term c. Use the
fact that (1.) v > 0 and (2.) c = 2v − 3v 3 to chip away at this equation until you obtain
a quadratic polynomial q(v) such that q(v) = 0. Find the positive root of q(v) to obtain v;
then, substitute v into the equation 2v − 3v 3 = c to obtain c.)
(b.) Compute the area under the curve g(x) but above the curve h(x). Give your answer as
both an exact value and as a decimal rounded to three places. Do not simplify.
(Hint: We already know that v is a root of the polynomial 3x3 − 2x + c. By the Factor
Theorem, then, x − v divides 3x3 − 2x + c. Use polynomial long division to divide 3x3 −
2x + c by x − v to obtain a quadratic polynomial q(x).R Use the quadratic formula to find
u
the positive root u of q(x); then, compute the integral 0 [g(x) − h(x)] dx.)