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Further Applications of Integration (DP IB Maths: AA SL)
Revision Note
Negative Integrals
- The area under a curve may appear fully or partially under the x-axis
- This occurs when the function takes negative values within the boundaries of the area
- The definite integrals used to find such areas
- will be negative if the area is fully under the-axis
- possibly negative if the area is partially under the-axis
- this occurs if the negative area(s) is/are greater than the positive area(s), their sum will be negative
- When using a GDC use the modulus (absolute value) function so that all definite integrals have a positive value
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- This is given in the formula booklet
How do I find the area under a curve when the curve is fully under the x-axis?
How do I find the area under a curve when the curve is partially under the x-axis?
- For questions that allow the use of a GDC you can still use
- To find the area analytically (manually) use the following method
Examiner Tip
- If no diagram is provided, quickly sketch one so that you can see where the curve is above and below the x - axis and split up your integrals accordingly
Worked example
The diagram below shows the graph of where.
The region is bounded by the curve, the -axis and the -axis.
The region is bounded by the curve, the x-axis and the line.
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Area Between a Curve and a Line
- Areas whose boundaries include a curve and a (non-vertical) straight line can be found using integration
- For an area under a curve a definite integral will be needed
- For an area under a line the shape formed will be a trapezium or triangle
- basic area formulae can be used rather than a definite integral
- (although a definite integral would still work)
- The area required could be the sum or difference of areas under the curve and line
How do I find the area between a curve and a line?
Calculate the area under a curve using a integral of the form
Examiner Tip
- Add information to any diagram provided
- Add axes intercepts, as well as intercepts between lines and curves
- Mark and shade the area you’re trying to find
- If no diagram is provided, sketch one!
Worked example
The region is bounded by the curve with equation and the line with equation.
lies entirely in the first quadrant.
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Area Between 2 Curves
- Areas whose boundaries include two curves can be found by integration
- The area between two curves will be the difference of the areas under the two curves
- both areas will require a definite integral
- Finding points of intersection may involve a more awkward equation than solving for a curve and a line
- The area between two curves will be the difference of the areas under the two curves
How do I find the area between two curves?
Examiner Tip
- If no diagram is provided sketch one, even if the curves are not accurate
- Add information to any given diagram as you work through a question
- Maximise use of your GDC to save time and maintain accuracy:
- Use it to sketch the graphs and help you visualise the problem
- Use it to find definite integrals
Worked example
The diagram below shows the curves with equations and where
Find the area of the shaded region.
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