Skip to content
Miscellaneous Exercise · Q2

Q.Sketch the graph of y=∣x+3∣y = |x+3| and evaluate ∫−60∣x+3∣dx\int_{-6}^{0} |x+3| dx.

CBSENCERTSubjective· 3mImportance★★★★★
Appeared in past exams:CBSE 2025· Set 65/1/1· 3mreworded
29% · 10/34 Questions
✓ Free question

The integral ∫−60∣x+3∣dx\int_{-6}^{0} |x+3| dx equals 99. The key is that ∣x+3∣|x+3| changes its definition at x=−3x = -3, so we split the integral at that point and sum the areas of two right triangles.

The absolute value function creates a V-shaped graph. For y=∣x+3∣y = |x+3|, the "corner" occurs where the inside expression equals zero: x+3=0x+3 = 0, so x=−3x = -3. This is the point where the function switches from decreasing to increasing.

To the left of x=−3x = -3, the expression x+3x+3 is negative, so ∣x+3∣=−(x+3)=−x−3|x+3| = -(x+3) = -x-3. To the right of x=−3x = -3, x+3x+3 is positive, so ∣x+3∣=x+3|x+3| = x+3. This split is the foundation for evaluating the integral.

1. Sketch the graph

The graph is a V shape with its vertex at (−3,0)(-3, 0). For x<−3x < -3, the line has slope −1-1; for x>−3x > -3, the line has slope +1+1. The graph passes through (−6,3)(-6, 3) and (0,3)(0, 3).

2. Identify the split point

The integrand ∣x+3∣|x+3| is not differentiable at x=−3x = -3, but it is continuous everywhere. For integration, we split the interval [−6,0][-6, 0] at x=−3x = -3:

  • On [−6,−3][-6, -3]: x+3≤0x+3 \leq 0, so ∣x+3∣=−(x+3)=−x−3|x+3| = -(x+3) = -x-3.
  • On [−3,0][-3, 0]: x+3≥0x+3 \geq 0, so ∣x+3∣=x+3|x+3| = x+3.

3. Write the integral as a sum

∫−60∣x+3∣ dx=∫−6−3(−x−3) dx+∫−30(x+3) dx\int_{-6}^{0} |x+3| \, dx = \int_{-6}^{-3} (-x-3) \, dx + \int_{-3}^{0} (x+3) \, dx

4. Evaluate the first integral

∫−6−3(−x−3) dx=[−x22−3x]−6−3\int_{-6}^{-3} (-x-3) \, dx = \left[ -\frac{x^2}{2} - 3x \right]_{-6}^{-3}

At x=−3x = -3: −92+9=92-\frac{9}{2} + 9 = \frac{9}{2}

At x=−6x = -6: −362+18=−18+18=0-\frac{36}{2} + 18 = -18 + 18 = 0

So the value is 92−0=92\frac{9}{2} - 0 = \frac{9}{2}.

5. Evaluate the second integral

∫−30(x+3) dx=[x22+3x]−30\int_{-3}^{0} (x+3) \, dx = \left[ \frac{x^2}{2} + 3x \right]_{-3}^{0}

At x=0x = 0: 0+0=00 + 0 = 0

At x=−3x = -3: 92−9=−92\frac{9}{2} - 9 = -\frac{9}{2}

So the value is 0−(−92)=920 - \left(-\frac{9}{2}\right) = \frac{9}{2}.

6. Add the two results

92+92=9\frac{9}{2} + \frac{9}{2} = 9

Tip

Geometrically, each piece is a right triangle with base 33 and height 33, so area 12×3×3=92\frac{1}{2} \times 3 \times 3 = \frac{9}{2}. Two such triangles give 99. This is a quick check without integration.

Watch out

A common mistake is to forget the split and integrate ∣x+3∣|x+3| as if it were x+3x+3 over the whole interval. That would give ∫−60(x+3)dx=0\int_{-6}^{0} (x+3) dx = 0, which is wrong because the function is not linear across the split.

✓Final answer

The value of the integral is 9\boxed{9}.

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.