Q.Find the area enclosed by the circle x2+y2=a2
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:
Area=∫cdg(y)dy.
Always sketch the region first. The sketch tells you the correct limits, whether the curve dips below the axis, and whether it is cleaner to integrate in x or in y.
The single big idea: any area with a curved boundary is the sum of infinitely many thin strips, and that sum is precisely a definite integral.
Students searching "Area Under Curve formula and examples" or "Application of Integrals class 12 important questions" will find this the core idea tested throughout NCERT's Application of Integrals chapter, a mainstay of the CBSE Class 12 Maths syllabus and JEE Main/Advanced. Mastering the sign convention for regions below the x-axis is one of the most frequently asked concepts in board and competitive exam papers alike.
The key idea is that the area of a circle is a special case of the area of an ellipse, or can be found directly by integration.
Step 1: The circle x2+y2=a2 is symmetric about both axes. The area in the first quadrant is one-fourth of the total area.
Step 2: In the first quadrant, y=a2−x2 for 0≤x≤a. The area of one quadrant is:
AreaQ1=∫0aa2−x2dx
Step 3: This integral evaluates to 4πa2 (using the standard formula ∫a2−x2dx=2xa2−x2+2a2sin−1ax+C, or by recognising it as a quarter-circle).
Step 4: Total area is 4×4πa2=πa2.
The area enclosed is πa2.
The area enclosed by the circle x2+y2=a2 is found by integrating the upper semicircle from x=−a to x=a and doubling. The result is πa2.
The problem asks for the area inside a circle of radius a centered at the origin. This is a classic result, but deriving it from first principles using integration is a great way to build intuition for how area works in Cartesian coordinates.
The equation x2+y2=a2 describes a circle. If you solve for y, you get y=±a2−x2. The positive square root gives the upper half of the circle; the negative gives the lower half. The circle is symmetric about the x-axis, so the total area is twice the area of the upper half.
The key idea: the area under a curve y=f(x) from x=a to x=b is ∫abf(x)dx. Here, the upper semicircle runs from x=−a to x=a. So the area of the upper half is ∫−aaa2−x2dx. The total area is twice that.
- Set up the integral for the total area. The total area A is:
A=2∫−aaa2−x2dx.
The integrand a2−x2 is an even function (symmetric about x=0), so we can simplify:
A=4∫0aa2−x2dx.
This avoids dealing with negative limits.
-
Use a trigonometric substitution.
The expression a2−x2 suggests the substitution x=asinθ. Why? Because a2−a2sin2θ=a1−sin2θ=acosθ, which is simpler.
When x=0, θ=0. When x=a, θ=2π. Also, dx=acosθdθ.
Substitute into the integral:
A=4∫0π/2a2−a2sin2θ⋅(acosθdθ)=4∫0π/2acosθ⋅acosθdθ=4a2∫0π/2cos2θdθ.
- Evaluate the cos2θ integral. Use the identity cos2θ=21+cos2θ:
A=4a2∫0π/221+cos2θdθ=2a2∫0π/2(1+cos2θ)dθ.
Integrate term by term:
∫0π/21dθ=2π,∫0π/2cos2θdθ=[2sin2θ]0π/2=2sinπ−2sin0=0.
So:
A=2a2⋅2π=πa2.
A faster way: the area of a circle is πr2. Here r=a, so the answer is πa2 directly. The integration above confirms this geometrically obvious result.
A common mistake is to forget the factor of 2 when doubling the semicircle area, or to incorrectly handle the limits after substitution. Always check that the substitution's limits match the original variable's range.
The area enclosed by the circle is πa2.
Method: Area of a full circle via the first-quadrant quarter
Use this to derive the area enclosed by x2+y2=a2 from integration — compute one symmetric quadrant and scale up.
Steps
Step 1: Use symmetry to reduce the work.
The circle is symmetric about both axes, so the total area is 4× the first-quadrant area (where x,y≥0).
Step 2: Express the arc and set up the quadrant integral.
In the first quadrant, y=a2−x2, so
Area=4∫0aa2−x2dx.
Step 3: Evaluate with the substitution x=asinθ.
Then a2−x2=acosθ and dx=acosθdθ, giving 4a2∫0π/2cos2θdθ. Using cos2θ=21+cos2θ yields 4π for the integral, so
Area=4a2⋅4π=πa2.
Keep the factor of 4 (or 2, if you halve) explicit — dropping it is the classic error.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Dropping the symmetry factor.
Why it's wrong: ∫0aa2−x2dx is only one quarter of the circle (4πa2); reporting that as the whole area misses the factor of 4. Correct approach: total area =4∫0aa2−x2dx=πa2.
Mistake 2: Mishandling the substitution limits.
Why it's wrong: with x=asinθ, x=0→θ=0 and x=a→θ=2π; carrying over the old x-limits corrupts the cos2θ integral. Correct approach: change the limits with the variable, then 4a2⋅4π=πa2.
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-02-AN1 markMCQQ.P(5,2) is a point on the curve y=f(x) and 27 is the slope of the tangent to the curve at P. The area of the triangle (in sq. units) formed by the tangent and the normal to the curve at P with x-axis is (A) 35 (B) 235 (C) 753 (D) 1453
›Reveal solutionSolution
Area =753 sq. units — option (C).
Tangent at P(5,2) with slope 27: y−2=27(x−5). Its x-intercept (y=0):
x=5−74=731.
Normal at P has slope −72: y−2=−72(x−5). Its x-intercept:
x=5+7=12.
The tangent, normal and x-axis form a triangle with base =12−731=753 and height = ordinate of P=2:
Area=21⋅753⋅2=753.
✓Final answer(C) 753.
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-04-FN1 markMCQQ.The area of the region bounded by y=x3, x-axis, x=−2 and x=4 is (A) 566 (B) 64 (C) 481 (D) 68
›Reveal solutionSolution
The area is the sum of the absolute values of the definite integrals from x=−2 to x=0 and from x=0 to x=4, because the curve dips below the x-axis on the left. The result is 68 square units.
The key idea here is that area bounded by a curve and the x-axis is always positive — it’s the geometric area, not the signed area. When a function like y=x3 takes negative values over part of the interval, the definite integral gives a negative contribution, which we must flip to positive by taking its absolute value.
The curve y=x3 passes through the origin. For x<0, x3 is negative, so the curve lies below the x-axis. For x>0, it lies above. The x-axis itself is the line y=0. The region is bounded vertically by the curve and the x-axis, and horizontally by the vertical lines x=−2 and x=4.
So the total area is the sum of two separate pieces: the area from x=−2 to x=0 (where the curve is below the axis) and the area from x=0 to x=4 (where it is above). We compute each as a definite integral of ∣x3∣, which is equivalent to taking the absolute value of the integral over each subinterval.
- Area from x=−2 to x=0 On [−2,0], x3≤0, so ∣x3∣=−x3.
A1=∫−20(−x3)dx=−∫−20x3dx
Compute the integral:
∫x3dx=4x4
So
A1=−[4x4]−20=−(404−4(−2)4)=−(0−416)=−(−4)=4
- Area from x=0 to x=4 On [0,4], x3≥0, so ∣x3∣=x3.
A2=∫04x3dx=[4x4]04=444−0=4256=64
- Total area
A=A1+A2=4+64=68
Watch outA common mistake is to compute ∫−24x3dx directly. That gives [4x4]−24=4256−416=60, which is the signed area — it cancels the negative part with the positive part, giving a smaller number. That is not the geometric area.
TipWhenever a function crosses the x-axis within the integration limits, split the interval at the root(s) and integrate the absolute value. For odd functions like x3, the symmetry can sometimes help, but here the limits are not symmetric, so direct computation is safest.
✓Final answerThe area is 68 square units, which corresponds to option (D).
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-09-FN1 markMCQQ.Area of the region enclosed between the curves y2=4(x+7) and y2=5(2−x) is (A) 3322 (B) 38 (C) 61 (D) 245
›Reveal solutionSolution
Both curves are sideways parabolas; writing x as a function of y and integrating the horizontal gap between them over y∈[−25,25] gives area 245 — option (D).
Setting up
Because each curve has the form y2=(linear in x), solve for x:
y2=4(x+7)⇒x=4y2−7,
y2=5(2−x)⇒x=2−5y2.
The region is symmetric about the x-axis, so integrating in y is natural.
Intersection points
Set the two x-values equal:
4y2−7=2−5y2⇒4y2+5y2=9⇒209y2=9.
Hence y2=20, so y=±25.
Horizontal width
For y between the intersections the right curve is x=2−5y2 (at y=0 it gives x=2 versus x=−7). The gap is
w(y)=(2−5y2)−(4y2−7)=9−209y2.
Integrating
Area=∫−2525(9−209y2)dy=2∫025(9−209y2)dy.
Evaluate the inner integral:
∫0259dy=9(25)=185,
∫025209y2dy=209⋅3(25)3=609⋅405=65.
So the inner integral is 185−65=125, and
Area=2×125=245.
✓Final answerArea =245 — option (D).
ANSWER: D
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-10-AN1 markMCQQ.If the area of the region enclosed by the curve ay=x2 and the line x+y=2a is ka2, then k= (A) 92 (B) 29 (C) 23 (D) 32
›Reveal solutionSolution
The area between the parabola ay=x2 and the line x+y=2a is found by integrating the difference of the functions over their intersection points, yielding k=29.
Concept & Intuition
We are finding the area enclosed between a parabola and a line. The key is to rewrite both curves as functions of x (or y), find where they intersect (these become the limits of integration), and then integrate the vertical (or horizontal) distance between them. Because the parabola opens upward and the line slopes downward, the region is lens-shaped; the area will scale with a2, and we just need the constant factor k.
-
Rewrite the equations in terms of y as functions of x.
The parabola: ay=x2⇒y=ax2.
The line: x+y=2a⇒y=2a−x.
-
Find the intersection points by setting the two expressions for y equal:
ax2=2a−x
Multiply through by a:
x2=2a2−ax⇒x2+ax−2a2=0.
Solve the quadratic:
x=2−a±a2+8a2=2−a±3a.
So x=a or x=−2a.
The corresponding y-values: for x=a, y=2a−a=a; for x=−2a, y=2a−(−2a)=4a.
Intersection points: (−2a,4a) and (a,a).
-
Determine which curve is on top between x=−2a and x=a.
Test a point, say x=0:
Parabola: y=0. Line: y=2a.
Since 2a>0 (assuming a>0 for a positive area), the line lies above the parabola in this interval.
-
Set up the area integral (vertical slices):
Area=∫x=−2ax=a[(2a−x)−ax2]dx.
- Evaluate the integral:
∫−2aa(2a−x−ax2)dx=[2ax−2x2−3ax3]−2aa.
Compute at x=a:
2a(a)−2a2−3aa3=2a2−2a2−3a2=a2(2−21−31)=a2(612−3−2)=67a2.
Compute at x=−2a:
2a(−2a)−2(−2a)2−3a(−2a)3=−4a2−24a2−3a−8a3=−4a2−2a2+38a2=a2(−6+38)=a2(−318+38)=−310a2.
Subtract (upper limit minus lower limit):
67a2−(−310a2)=67a2+310a2=67a2+620a2=627a2=29a2.
- Identify k: The area is 29a2, so k=29.
Watch outA common mistake is to forget that the parabola ay=x2 gives y=x2/a, not y=ax2. Also, be careful with signs when evaluating the antiderivative at the lower limit x=−2a.
TipSince the region is symmetric in shape but not symmetric about the y-axis (intersections at x=−2a and x=a), you must integrate over the full interval — no shortcut by symmetry here.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B).
ANSWER: B
-
- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-13-FN1 markMCQQ.Area of the region bounded by the curve y=2−x−3x2, the X-axis, the Y-axis and the line x=−2 is (A) 2 (B) 2744 (C) 29 (D) 5
›Reveal solutionSolution
The parabola cuts the X-axis at x=−1 inside [−2,0]; adding the two signed pieces gives 3.5+1.5=5.
The region runs from the Y-axis (x=0) to x=−2. Find where y=2−x−3x2 meets the X-axis:
3x2+x−2=0⟹x=6−1±5⟹x=−1, 32.
Only x=−1 lies in [−2,0]. On (−1,0) the curve is above the axis (at x=0, y=2>0); on (−2,−1) it is below (at x=−1.5, y=−3.25<0).
Antiderivative F(x)=2x−2x2−x3:
F(0)=0,F(−1)=−2−21+1=−23,F(−2)=−4−2+8=2.
∫−10ydx=F(0)−F(−1)=23,∫−2−1ydx=F(−1)−F(−2)=−27.
Area =23+−27=23+27=5.
✓Final answerArea =5 square units — option (D).
- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.The area (in square units) of the region bounded by the curve y=∣sin2x∣ and the X-axis in [0,2π] is (A) 0 (B) 3 (C) 4 (D) 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
The area under y=∣sin2x∣ from 0 to 2π is found by noting the function’s period is π/2 and each half-wave has area 1; there are 4 such half-waves, so total area is 4. The correct option is (C).
The key insight is that the absolute value makes every lobe of the sine wave positive, so we are summing the areas of identical “humps.” Since sin2x completes two full oscillations in [0,2π], taking absolute value doubles the number of humps to four, each of equal area.
-
Understand the basic shape
The function sin2x has period π (because period of sin(kx) is 2π/k, so 2π/2=π). Over [0,2π], it completes two full cycles. Without absolute value, the net signed area would be zero because positive and negative lobes cancel. But ∣sin2x∣ flips the negative parts upward, so we are really measuring the total area of all lobes.
-
Find the period of ∣sin2x∣
The absolute value halves the period: sin2x is negative on half of each cycle, and flipping it makes the pattern repeat every half-cycle. Specifically, ∣sin2x∣ has period π/2 (since sin2x changes sign at multiples of π/2). Over [0,2π], there are 2π÷(π/2)=4 identical periods.
-
Compute area of one period
Take one period, say x∈[0,π/2]. Here sin2x≥0, so ∣sin2x∣=sin2x. The area under one hump is
∫0π/2sin2xdx=[−2cos2x]0π/2=−21(cosπ−cos0)=−21(−1−1)=1.
So each hump has area 1.
- Multiply by number of humps There are 4 such humps in [0,2π], so total area = 4×1=4.
TipA quick check: ∫02π∣sinx∣dx=4, and here the argument is 2x, which compresses the graph horizontally, but the absolute value still yields the same total area over the same interval because the number of lobes doubles while each lobe’s width halves, keeping area per lobe 1.
Watch outA common mistake is to forget the absolute value and compute ∫02πsin2xdx=0, then pick option (A). Always check whether the region is entirely above the x-axis.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C).
ANSWER: C
-
- TG EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-19-AN1 markMCQQ.In a triangle ABC, AD and BE are medians. If AD = 4, ∠DAB=6π and ∠ABE=3π then the area of △ABC is (A) 3314 (B) 3328 (C) 3311 (D) 3332
›Reveal solutionSolution
We use the property that medians intersect at the centroid, dividing each median in a 2:1 ratio. By identifying the angles in the triangle formed by two vertices and the centroid, we find it's a right-angled triangle. We then calculate its area and multiply by 3 to get the area of △ABC. The area of △ABC is 3332.
The problem asks for the area of △ABC, given the length of a median AD and two angles related to the medians AD and BE. The key to solving this problem lies in understanding the properties of medians, specifically how they intersect at the centroid and divide the triangle into smaller triangles of equal area.
Here's the concept:
- Centroid Property: The medians of a triangle intersect at a point called the centroid (let's call it G). The centroid divides each median in the ratio 2:1, with the longer segment being from the vertex to the centroid. So, for median AD, AG:GD=2:1. Similarly for median BE, BG:GE=2:1.
- Area Property of Centroid: The centroid divides the triangle into six smaller triangles of equal area. Also, the three triangles formed by connecting the centroid to the vertices (△AGB, △BGC, △CGA) have equal areas. Therefore, Area(△ABC) = 3 × Area(△AGB).
- Trigonometry: We will use the sine rule and basic trigonometric ratios in the triangle formed by the centroid and two vertices (△AGB) to find its dimensions and area.
Let's apply these concepts step-by-step.
-
Identify the Centroid and its properties:
Let G be the centroid of △ABC. Since AD is a median and AD = 4, the centroid G divides AD in the ratio 2:1.
Therefore, AG=32AD=32×4=38.
Also, GD=31AD=31×4=34.
-
Analyze △AGB:
We are given ∠DAB=6π and ∠ABE=3π.
In △AGB:
- ∠GAB=∠DAB=6π
- ∠GBA=∠ABE=3π
-
Calculate the third angle in △AGB:
The sum of angles in a triangle is π radians (180∘).
∠AGB=π−(∠GAB+∠GBA)
∠AGB=π−(6π+3π)
∠AGB=π−(6π+62π)
∠AGB=π−63π
∠AGB=π−2π=2π
TipThe fact that ∠AGB=2π means △AGB is a right-angled triangle. This simplifies calculations significantly, as we can use basic trigonometric ratios or the formula 21×base×height for its area.
-
Find the length of BG:
In the right-angled △AGB, we know AG=38, ∠GAB=6π, and ∠GBA=3π.
We can use the tangent function:
tan(∠GBA)=adjacent sideopposite side=BGAG
tan(3π)=BG8/3
3=3BG8
BG=338
Alternatively, using the sine rule:
In any triangle with sides a,b,c and opposite angles A,B,C:
sinAa=sinBb=sinCc
Applying the sine rule to △AGB:
sin(∠GBA)AG=sin(∠GAB)BG
sin(π/3)8/3=sin(π/6)BG
3/28/3=1/2BG
3316=2BG
BG=6316=338
Both methods yield the same result for BG.
-
Calculate the area of △AGB:
Since △AGB is a right-angled triangle at G, its area is 21×base×height.
Area(△AGB) = 21×AG×BG
Area(△AGB) = 21×38×338
Area(△AGB) = 21×9364
Area(△AGB) = 9332
-
Calculate the area of △ABC:
The centroid divides the triangle into three triangles of equal area: △AGB, △BGC, and △CGA.
Therefore, Area(△ABC) = 3 × Area(△AGB).
Area(△ABC) = 3×9332
Area(△ABC) = 3332
We can rationalize the denominator if needed, but the options are given with 3 in the denominator.
3332=333323=9323
Comparing this with the given options:
(A) 3314
(B) 3328
(C) 3311
(D) 3332
The calculated area matches option (D).
✓Final answerThe area of △ABC is 3332.
🎓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.