Definite Integral and Area Under Curves
Introduction: We know the methods of evaluating definite integrals. These integrals are used in
evaluating certain types of bounded regions. For evaluation of bounded regions defined by given
functions, we shall also require to draw rough sketch of the given function. The process of
drawing rough sketch of a given function is called curve sketching.
The numerical ( )
b
a
f x dx
}
equals area of the region under the curve ( ) y f x = between the
ordinates and and the x-axis.
Numerical integration methods are used in approximating the value of the integral as a linear
combination of a selected set of integrands whose basis is orthogonal polynomials.
In Numerical integration, first we approximate the integrand ( ) y f x = by a polynomial and
then find ( )
b
a
P x dx
}
. Then ( )
b
a
f x dx
}
is approximately equals to ( )
b
a
P x dx
}
.
There are several methods for approximating a definite integral. We discuss only two methods.
TRAPEZOIDAL RULE: The process of approximating the integrand ( ) y f x = piecewise by straight
line segments, which is by a polynomial of degree 1, is called Trapezoidal rule.
We approximate ( )
b
a
f x dx
}
by a piecewise linear function using the trapezoidal rule.
Let ( ) y f x = be a continuous function defined on . Divide the interval on X-axis into equal
parts each of length
b a
h
n
= . Let
0 1 2
, , ,.....,
n
a x x x x b = = be the abscissa of successive points of
division and ( ),
r r r
y f x x a rh = = + for then
( )
0 1 2 3 1
( ) 2( .... )
2
b
n n
a
h
f x dx y y y y y y
+ + + + + + (
}
is called as trapezoidal rule.
In trapezoidal rule the numbers of subintervals are either even or odd.
In trapezoidal rule the curve ( ) y f x = , between two successive ordinates is approximated as a
straight line .
Most approximate value of ( )
b
a
mx c dx +
}
can be obtained by applying Trapezoidal rule.
SIMPSONS RULE: The process of approximating the integrand ( ) y f x = piecewise by a parabolic
arc, that is by a polynomial of degree 2 , is called Simpsons rule.
Let ( ) y f x = be a continuous function defined on . Divide the interval on X-axis into
(even integer) equal parts each of length
b a
h
n
= . Let
0 1 2
, , ,.....,
n
a x x x x b = = be the abscissa of
successive points of division and ( ),
r r r
y f x x a rh = = + for then
( )
0 1 3 1 2 4 2
( ) 4( .... ) 2( .... )
3
b
n n n
a
h
f x dx y y y y y y y y
+ + + + + + + + + (
}
is called as Simpsons rule or
Simpsons 1/3 rule.
In Simpsons rule the number of subintervals must be even.
In Simpsons rule the number of ordinates must be odd.
In Simpsons rule the part of the curve ( ) y f x = between three successive ordinates is assumed
as parabolic arcs.
2
( ) y lx mx n = + +
Most approximate value of
2
( )
b
a
lx mx n dx + +
}
can be obtained by applying Simpsons rule.
1. Find the area enclosed between the curves
2
3 y x = + , and . Ans:
51/4 sq units.
2. Find the area of the ellipse
2 2
2 2
1
x y
a b
+ = . Also deduce the area of the circle
2 2 2
x y a + = .
Ans: sq.units
3. Find the area of the right angle triangle with base and altitude , using the
fundamental theorem of integral calculus. Ans:.
4. Find the area of the region enclosed by the curves , and
2
1
x
y
t
= . Ans:
.
5. Find the area of one of the curvilinear triangles bounded by and x-
axis. Ans: .
6. The circle
2 2
8 x y + = is divided into two parts by
2
2y x = . Find the area of both the
parts. Ans:
4 4
2 . and 6 .
3 3
sq units sq units t t + .
7. Find the area bounded by the parabolas
2
4 y ax = and
2
4 x by = . Ans:
16
.
3
ab
sq units .
8. Find the area of the region enclosed by the curves ( )
2
12 3 y x = + and ( )
2
20 5 y x = . Ans:
5
64 .
3
sq units .
9. Find the area of the region
{ }
2
( , ) : 1 1 x y x x y s s . Ans:
1
.
6
Sq units .
10. Find the area of the region enclosed between the curves
2
2 y x = and
2
y x = . Ans:
8
.
3
sq units .
