MTHS120

Applied Problem sheet 2 - Integration

Question 1
Consider the function f (x) = x3 − 2x2 − x + 2 = (x + 1)(x − 1)(x − 2). Find
the area bounded by the graph of f and the x-axis, between x = −1 and
x = 2.

Question 2
Consider the functions
f (x) = x4 − x3 + 1 , and g(x) = x4 − 2x3 + x + 1 .
Find the points of intersection, and hence the area of the region which is
completely bounded by the graphs of these two functions.

Question 3
A mass attached to an extended spring is held at an initial displacement
of x = 0.5 metres from a fixed point on a level surface. The mass is then
released and the spring allowed to contract freely with an oscillating motion
along a straight line about the fixed point (x = 0). If the velocity of the
motion is described by the formula
πt
v(t) = −2 sin( ) metres per second ,
2
what is the formula for the displacement x(t)? In particular, what is the
displacement when t = 2 seconds?

Question 4
The concentration of a hormone in a patient’s blood stream is observed to
change at the rate of φ(t) microlitres per day, where

 0.6t if 0 ≤ t ≤ 30
φ(t) = −0.7t + 39 if 30 ≤ t ≤ 60
0.42t − 28.2 if 60 ≤ t ≤ 90


If the initial amount is taken to be zero, how many microlitres of this

hormone are present in the patient’s bloodstream after ninety days?

1
Question 5
(a) Find the volume occupied by a solid of revolution, obtained by rotating
√ 2
the region bounded by y = x ex /4 about the x-axis, between x = 1 and
x = 2.
(b) Find the volume generated by rotation about the y-axis of the region
√
between the graphs of y = x2 and y = x, from y = 0 to y = 1.