Area Between a Curve and a Line
What do we mean by '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?
- STEP 1
If not given, sketch the graphs of the curve and line on the same diagram - STEP 2
Find the intersections of the curve and the line- If no diagram is given this will help identify the area(s) to be found
- If no diagram is given this will help identify the area(s) to be found
- STEP 3
Determine whether the area required is a sum or difference- Calculate the area under a curve using a integral of the form
- Calculate the area under a line using
- Ā for a triangle
- Ā for a trapezium
- For a trapezium, y-coordinates will be needed forĀ andĀ
- and the height will lie parallel to theĀ x-axis
- Those areas will need to be added or subtracted, depending on the question
- STEP 4
Evaluate the definite integral(s)- Then find the sum or difference of areas as required
Exam Tip
- Add information to any diagram provided
- intersections between lines and curves
- mark and shade the area youāre trying to find
- If no diagram is provided, sketch one!
Worked example
The regionĀ is bounded by the curve with equationĀ and the line with equation.
We need to find the points of intersection of the curve and line
Set their equations equal and solve to find theĀ -coordinates
So the curve and line intersect whenĀ and when
So the points of intersection areĀ andĀ
The area under the line is a right-angled triangle with vertices atĀ , and
For the area under a curve we need to use a definite integral betweenĀ andĀ
For the area ofĀ , subtract the area of the triangle from the area under the curve