Q.Draw a rough sketch of the curve y=x−1 in the interval [1,5]. Find the area under the curve and between the lines x=1 and x=5.
🔒You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.
🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Area Under Curve
Area Under a Curve
How do you measure the area of a region whose top edge is curved rather than a straight line? For rectangles and triangles we have formulas, but a shape bounded above by y=f(x) has no simple side lengths to plug in. The definite integral is the tool built exactly for this.
The core idea: area as a limit of strips
Take the region under y=f(x) (with f(x)≥0), above the x-axis, between x=a and x=b. Slice it into many thin vertical strips. A strip at position x with tiny width dx is almost a rectangle of height f(x), so its area is about f(x)dx. Add up all the strips and let their width shrink to zero: the sum becomes the definite integral
Area=∫abf(x)dx.
This is why the integral is the area — it is the exact total of infinitely many infinitesimally thin rectangles.
How to compute it
Find an antiderivative F(x) (so F′(x)=f(x)) and evaluate at the two limits — the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus:
∫abf(x)dx=F(b)−F(a).
For example, the area under y=x2 from 0 to 1 is [3x3]01=31.
Cases you must handle carefully
The integral gives signed area. Where the curve dips below the x-axis, f(x)<0 and ∫fdx comes out negative. For the geometric (positive) area of such a stretch, integrate the absolute value or take the magnitude of that piece: Area=∫ab∣f(x)∣dx.
If a curve crosses the x-axis inside [a,b], split the integral at each crossing and add the sizes of the parts.
Area with respect to the y-axis
When the region is bounded by a curve x=g(y) and the y-axis between y=c and y=d, slice horizontally instead: …
Concept: Area Under Curve — the definite integral of y with respect to x over the given interval.
Step 1 – Sketch the curve
y=x−1 is defined for x≥1. It starts at (1,0) and increases slowly. At x=5, y=4=2. The shape is the upper half of a rightward-opening parabola.
Step 2 – Set up the area integral
Area =∫15x−1dx.
Step 3 – Evaluate
Let u=x−1, du=dx. When x=1, u=0; when x=5, u=4. …
The area under y=x−1 from x=1 to x=5 is found by integrating the function over that interval. The result is 316 square units.
The problem asks for the area under the curve y=x−1 between x=1 and x=5. This is a straightforward application of definite integration — the area bounded by the curve, the x-axis, and the vertical lines x=1 and x=5.
Why integration works here: For a non-negative function y=f(x) on [a,b], the area between the curve and the x-axis is exactly ∫abf(x)dx. Each tiny vertical strip of width dx has height f(x), so its area is f(x)dx. Summing (integrating) these strips gives the total area.
Let's work through it.
-
Sketch the curve
y=x−1 is defined for x≥1. It's the upper half of a rightward-opening parabola with vertex at (1,0). At x=1, y=0; at x=5, y=4=2. The curve rises smoothly, concave downward (since the second derivative is negative). The region is a simple curved shape sitting above the x-axis from x=1 to x=5.
-
Set up the integral
The area A is given by:
A=∫15x−1dx
- Substitute to simplify Let u=x−1. Then du=dx, and when x=1, u=0; when x=5, u=4. The integral becomes:
A=∫04udu=∫04u1/2du
- Integrate Using the power rule ∫undu=n+1un+1+C:
A=[3/2u3/2]04=[32u3/2]04
- Evaluate …
Method: Area under a shifted-root curve
Use this for areas under curves such as y=x−h — a basic square-root graph translated sideways — between two vertical lines.
Steps
Step 1: Identify the domain and starting point.
y=x−h exists only for x≥h and starts at the point (h,0), rising slowly. Sketching this tells you the curve is above the x-axis throughout the interval, so no sign correction is needed.
Step 2: Set up the area integral.
A=∫abx−hdx.
Step 3: Substitute to remove the shift. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Substituting u=x−1 but keeping the old limits 1 and 5
Why it's wrong: once you switch the variable to u, the limits must switch too (x=1→u=0, x=5→u=4); evaluating 32u3/2 at u=1 and u=5 gives a wrong number. Correct approach: either change the limits to 0 and 4, or back-substitute to 32(x−1)3/2 before using 1 and 5. …
- CBSE 2026Set 65/3/11 markMCQQ.The area of the shaded region of the circle given below (see figure) is equal to: (A) ∫139−y2dy (B) 2∫139−y2dy (C) ∫039−x2dx (D) 2∫039−x2dx
›Reveal solutionSolution
The problem asks for the integral representing the area of a shaded region of a circle. Assuming the shaded region is the quarter circle in the first quadrant of x2+y2=9, its area is given by ∫039−x2dx.
The core concept here is using definite integrals to calculate the area under a curve. When we have a region bounded by a curve y=f(x), the x-axis, and vertical lines x=a and x=b, the area is given by ∫abf(x)dx. Similarly, if the region is bounded by a curve x=g(y), the y-axis, and horizontal lines y=c and y=d, the area is ∫cdg(y)dy.
The expressions in the options, 9−x2 and 9−y2, immediately point to the equation of a circle. The general equation of a circle centered at the origin with radius r is x2+y2=r2. Comparing this with 9−x2 or 9−y2, we see that r2=9, which means the radius r=3.
For the upper half of this circle, we can express y as a function of x: y2=9−x2⟹y=9−x2 (taking the positive root for the upper half).
For the right half of this circle, we can express x as a function of y: x2=9−y2⟹x=9−y2 (taking the positive root for the right half).
Since the figure is not provided, we must infer the shaded region from the given options. Options (C) and (D) involve integration from 0 to 3, which is the radius of the circle. This strongly suggests that the shaded region is either a quarter circle or a semi-circle.
-
Identify the circle's equation and radius:
The terms 9−x2 and 9−y2 indicate that the circle has the equation x2+y2=9. This is a circle centered at the origin (0,0) with a radius r=3.
-
Interpret the shaded region based on options:
- Option (C) is ∫039−x2dx. This integral represents the area under the curve y=9−x2 (the upper semi-circle) from x=0 to x=3. This region is precisely the quarter circle located in the first quadrant.
- Option (D) is 2∫039−x2dx. This would be twice the area of the quarter circle, meaning it represents the area of the entire upper semi-circle (from x=−3 to x=3, or by symmetry, 2× area from x=0 to x=3).
- Option (A) is ∫139−y2dy. This represents the area under the curve x=9−y2 (the right semi-circle) from y=1 to y=3. This is a specific segment of the quarter circle, not the entire quarter circle.
- Option (B) is 2∫139−y2dy. This would be twice the area in (A), representing a horizontal strip of the circle symmetric about the y-axis. …
-
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Write the area of the curve y=sinx between x=0 and x=π in sq units.(a) 3(b) 4(c) 2(d) 5
›Reveal solutionSolution
The area under one arch of y=sinx from x=0 to x=π is 2 square units.
Since sinx≥0 throughout [0,π], the area is simply the definite integral:
A=∫0πsinxdx=[−cosx]0π
…
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Find the area of the circle x2+y2=a2.
›Reveal solutionSolution
By symmetry, the area of the full circle is 4 times the area in the first quadrant, which is found by integration.
…
- CBSE 2025Set 65/4/11 markMCQQ.The area of the region enclosed by the curve y=x and the lines x=0 and x=4 and x-axis is : (A) 916 sq. units (B) 932 sq. units (C) 316 sq. units (D) 332 sq. units
›Reveal solutionSolution
The region is the area under y=x from x=0 to x=4, which is a standard definite integral. The area equals 316 square units, so the correct option is (C).
The problem asks for the area enclosed by the curve y=x, the vertical lines x=0 and x=4, and the x-axis. This is a classic "area under a curve" problem — the region is bounded above by the curve, below by the x-axis, and on the sides by two vertical lines. The key idea is that the area between a curve y=f(x) and the x-axis from x=a to x=b is given by the definite integral ∫abf(x)dx, provided f(x)≥0 on that interval. Here, x is non-negative for x≥0, so we can directly integrate.
Watch outA common mistake is to confuse the area under y=x with the area under y=x2 or to misapply the power rule. Always check the exponent: x=x1/2, not x2.
Let’s work through the calculation step by step.
- Set up the integral. The region is bounded by x=0 on the left and x=4 on the right. The curve is y=x, and the lower boundary is the x-axis (y=0). So the area A is:
A=∫04xdx
- Rewrite the integrand. Recall that x=x1/2. This makes the power rule for integration straightforward:
A=∫04x1/2dx
- Apply the power rule. …
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.What is the area of the region bounded by y=ex, X-axis, x=1 and x=3 in square unit?(i) e(e2−1)(ii) e3−1(iii) e(1−e2)(iv) e2(1−e)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Area under y=ex from x=1 to x=3 is ∫13exdx.
Since y=ex>0 throughout [1,3], the region between the curve and the X-axis has area: …
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The area bounded by x-axis, y-axis, y=cosx, 0≤x≤2π will be -(a) 1(b) 0(c) −1(d) 2
›Reveal solutionSolution
The required area is ∫0π/2cosxdx.
…
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Find the area lying in the first quadrant and bounded by the circle x2+y2=4.
›Reveal solutionSolution
The full circle x2+y2=4 has radius 2; the first-quadrant portion is one quarter of the full circle.
Full circle area =πr2=π(2)2=4π.
Area in the first quadrant =41×4π=π.
…
- CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The area enclosed by circle x2+y2=2 is equal to:(a) 4π sq. units(b) 22π sq. units(c) 4π2 sq. units(d) 2π sq. units
›Reveal solutionSolution
2π sq. units — option (d).
The circle x2+y2=2 has radius R=2 (comparing with x2+y2=R2).
…
- CBSE 2022Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Write the area of the region bounded by y=x, X-axis, x=1 and x=3.(a) 8 sq. units(b) 4 sq. units(c) 2 sq. units(d) 1 sq. unit
›Reveal solutionSolution
The area under a straight line y=x between two vertical lines is a definite integral, here it also equals the area of a trapezium.
…
- CBSE 2022Set ANNUAL1 markQ.The area bounded by the curve y = 2x between x = 0, x = 2 and x-axis is ...
›Reveal solutionSolution
Integrate y = 2x from x = 0 to x = 2 to get the area under the line.
The curve y=2x is a straight line through the origin. The area bounded by it, the x-axis, and the ordinates x=0 and x=2 is
Area=∫022xdx=[x2]02=4−0=4 square units.
…
- CBSE 2020Set HE8231 markQ.Fill in the blank: Area lying in the first quadrant and bounded by the circle x2+y2=4 and the lines x=0 and y=2 is ______.
›Reveal solutionSolution
The required area is π square units — a quarter of the circle x2+y2=4.
The circle x2+y2=4 has centre (0,0) and radius 2. In the first quadrant, y=4−x2 for 0≤x≤2. The line y=2 touches this circle at the single point (0,2) (it is tangent there, since the circle's topmost point is (0,2)), so bounding the region additionally by y=2 and x=0 does not remove or add any area beyond the quarter-disc that already lies between the curve and the two axes.
…
- CBSE 2018Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Area between the x-axis and the curve y=sinx, from x=0 to x=2π is(a) 2(b) −1(c) 1(d) None of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
∫0π/2sinxdx=1.
The area under y=sinx from 0 to 2π is ∫0π/2sinxdx.
…
🎓Unlock everything free for 14 days
- ✓Full step-by-step solutions
- ✓Concept-first explanations
- ✓Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
- ✓PYQ mapping + timed mock tests
Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.