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Description Diagram Area Definite Integral

Area of the 4×3= 3

rectangle enclosed ∫ 4 𝑑𝑥 =
0
by 𝑦 = 4, 𝑥 = 3,
and the axes.

Area of the triangle 6

enclosed by 𝑦 = 𝑥, ∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 =
0
𝑥 = 6 and the 𝑥-
axis.

Area of trapezium
enclosed by 𝑦 =
1
𝑥 + 2, 𝑥 = 2, 𝑥 =
2
6 and the 𝑥-axis

7
∫ 8 − 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 =
1

Sheet compiled by Daniel Rodriguez-Clark of www.interactive-maths.com 1

Notes
Consider the function 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 .

How could we find the area of the shaded part of the graph below, the region bounded by 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 ,
the 𝑥-axis and the lines 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 2?

If 𝑓(𝑥 ) is positive and continuous on the interval 𝑎 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝑏, then the area bounded by 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥 ),
the 𝑥-axis and the vertical lines 𝑥 = 𝑎 and 𝑥 = 𝑏 is given by

Sheet compiled by Daniel Rodriguez-Clark of www.interactive-maths.com 2

 Example Your Turn
Find the area bounded by the graph of Find the area bounded by the graph of
1
𝑦 = 4𝑥 3 , the 𝑥-axis and the lines 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 𝑥 2 , the 𝑥-axis and the lines 𝑥 = 0
2
𝑥 = 2. and 𝑥 = 4.

Your Turn Your Turn

Find the area bounded by the graph of Find the area bounded by the graph of
1
𝑦 = 2, the 𝑥-axis and the lines 𝑥 = 2 and 𝑦 = √𝑥, the 𝑥-axis and the lines 𝑥 = 1 and
𝑥
𝑥 = 5. 𝑥 = 4.

Sheet compiled by Daniel Rodriguez-Clark of www.interactive-maths.com 3

 Your Turn Your Turn
Find the area bounded by the graph of Find the area bounded by the graph of
1 𝑦 = sin 2𝑥 and the 𝑥-axis in one arch of the
𝑦 = 3𝑥 − 𝑥 2 and the 𝑥-axis.
2
curve.

Exercise
Haese Mathematics Analysis and Approaches SL Book 2 page 405 Exercise 17B

Your Turn
Find the area bounded by the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 3, the 𝑥-axis and the lines 𝑥 = 1 and 𝑥 = 4.

Sheet compiled by Daniel Rodriguez-Clark of www.interactive-maths.com 4

Notes
If an area is below the 𝑥-axis, then the definite integral is _________________________

In this case the area is given by the ________________________ of the definite integral.

If an area is split between being above and below the 𝑥-axis then we must

________________________________________________________________________________

We do this by finding the _____________ of the function and considering the regions either side of
these.

This is why it is really important to consider the graph of any function we are finding the area for.

Example Your Turn

Find the area bounded by the graph of Find the area bounded by the graph of
1
𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 and the 𝑥-axis. 𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 𝑥 2 and the 𝑥-axis.
2

Sheet compiled by Daniel Rodriguez-Clark of www.interactive-maths.com 5

 Example Your Turn
Find the total area of the regions contained by Find the total area of the regions contained by
𝑦 = 𝑥 (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 3) and the 𝑥-axis in the 𝑦 = 𝑥(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 4) and the 𝑥-axis in the
interval 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3. interval −1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 4.

Exercise
Haese Mathematics Analysis and Approaches SL Book 2 page 410 Exercise 17C

Sheet compiled by Daniel Rodriguez-Clark of www.interactive-maths.com 6