This lesson explores finding the total area under a curve and the area between two curves.

The total area of a region that is both above and below the x-axis is found by separating the positive parts of the graph from the negative parts. Each part is integrated and the absolute values of the results are added together to find the total area.

Examine the graph of y = sin x from 0 to 2 again.

As shown in Lesson 17.1, , and .

The total area bounded by y = sin x on the interval [0, 2 ] is 2 + | -2 | = 4 square units.

Using Absolute Value to Find Total Area

Another method used to find the total area is to integrate the absolute value of the function. You can find the absolute value, abs(), under

17.2.1 Evaluate and interpret the result.
Click here for the answer.

17.2.2 Find the total area bounded by y = x³ – 3x² – x + 3 and the x-axis on the interval [0, 4].
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Finding the Area between Two Curves

Integrals can be used to find the area between two curves by evaluating the integral of the difference between the upper curve and the lower curve between their points of intersection. Find the area between y = 4 – x² and y = x by following the procedure below.

• Graph the two functions y = 4 – x² and y = x in a [-3, 3] x [-5, 5] window

The upper curve is y = 4 – x² and the lower curve is y = x.

Find the points where the curves intersect.

• Solve(4-x^2=x,x)

The area between the curves is given by

17.2.3 Evaluate the integral above on your TI-89 and interpret the result.
Click here for the answer.