Q.Sketch the region {(x,0):y=4−x2} and x-axis. Find the area of the region using integration.
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.
Concept: Area Under Curve – the area bounded by y=4−x2 and the x-axis is the region between the curve and the axis from x=−2 to x=2.
Steps:
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The curve y=4−x2 is the upper half of a circle x2+y2=4 (radius 2). The region is the semicircle above the x-axis.
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Area is given by
A=∫−224−x2dx
- Use the standard formula ∫a2−x2dx=2xa2−x2+2a2sin−1ax+C with a=2:
A=[2x4−x2+2sin−12x]−22
- Evaluate: at x=2, 4−4=0, sin−1(1)=2π; at x=−2, 4−4=0, sin−1(−1)=−2π.
A=(0+2⋅2π)−(0+2⋅(−2π))=π+π=2π
The area of the region is 2π square units.
The region is the upper half of a circle of radius 2 centred at the origin. Its area is found by integrating y=4−x2 from x=−2 to x=2, which gives 21π(2)2=2π. The area is 2π square units.
The problem asks us to sketch the region bounded by y=4−x2 and the x-axis, then find its area using integration. Let’s first understand what this curve is.
The equation y=4−x2 is not just any curve — it’s the upper half of a circle. Why? Because if you square both sides, you get y2=4−x2, which rearranges to x2+y2=4. That’s a circle of radius 2 centred at the origin. But since y is defined as the positive square root (the symbol always gives the non-negative value), we only get the top half: y≥0. The x-axis (y=0) is the lower boundary. So the region is exactly the semicircle above the x-axis, from x=−2 to x=2.
Now, the area under a curve y=f(x) from x=a to x=b is given by the definite integral ∫abf(x)dx. Here, f(x)=4−x2, and the region runs from the leftmost point of the semicircle (x=−2) to the rightmost (x=2). So the area is:
A=∫−224−x2dx
This integral is a classic one. It represents the area of a semicircle of radius 2, so we already know the answer should be 21π(2)2=2π. But let’s evaluate it properly using integration, as the problem demands.
- Set up the integral. The area is A=∫−224−x2dx. The integrand is an even function (since 4−(−x)2=4−x2), so we can simplify by integrating from 0 to 2 and doubling:
A=2∫024−x2dx
This saves a bit of work.
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Use a trigonometric substitution.
The expression 4−x2 suggests the substitution x=2sinθ, because then 4−x2=4−4sin2θ=4cos2θ, and 4−x2=2∣cosθ∣. For x from 0 to 2, θ goes from 0 to π/2, where cosθ≥0, so we can drop the absolute value: 4−x2=2cosθ.
Also, dx=2cosθdθ. When x=0, θ=0; when x=2, θ=π/2.
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Transform the integral.
Substitute everything in:
A=2∫0π/2(2cosθ)⋅(2cosθdθ)=2∫0π/24cos2θdθ=8∫0π/2cos2θdθ
- Evaluate the trigonometric integral. Use the identity cos2θ=21+cos2θ:
A=8∫0π/221+cos2θdθ=4∫0π/2(1+cos2θ)dθ
Integrate term by term:
A=4[θ+2sin2θ]0π/2=4[(2π+2sinπ)−(0+2sin0)]
Since sinπ=0 and sin0=0, this simplifies to:
A=4⋅2π=2π
You can also evaluate ∫−224−x2dx geometrically: it’s exactly the area of a semicircle of radius 2, which is 21πr2=2π. The integration above confirms this. In an exam, if you recognise the shape, you can state the area directly — but always show the integration steps if asked.
A common mistake is to forget that y=4−x2 only gives the upper half. If you integrate y=±4−x2, you’d get the full circle area 4π. Also, when using the substitution x=2sinθ, be careful with the limits: x=2 corresponds to θ=π/2, not π — that would give the wrong sign for cosθ.
The area of the region is 2π square units.
Method: Area under a curve that is really half a circle
This method handles any "find the area under y=a2−x2" (or similar semicircular) problem, where the curve turns out to be part of a circle.
Steps
Step 1: Recognise the shape by squaring.
Whenever you see y=a2−x2, square both sides to reveal the hidden conic. Here y2=a2−x2, i.e.
x2+y2=a2.
That is a circle of radius a centred at the origin. Because the square root sign only returns non-negative values, the curve is the upper half — a semicircle above the x-axis.
Step 2: Read off the limits from the geometry.
The semicircle meets the x-axis where y=0, i.e. at x=−a and x=a. Those become the limits of integration. Always let the picture, not guesswork, fix the limits.
Step 3: Write the area as a definite integral.
A=∫−aaa2−x2dx.
Step 4: Evaluate with the standard result.
Use the memorised antiderivative
∫a2−x2dx=2xa2−x2+2a2sin−1ax+C,
or equivalently the substitution x=asinθ. Substituting the limits, the square-root terms vanish at both ends and only the sin−1 terms survive.
Step 5: Sanity-check against known area.
A full circle has area πa2, so a semicircle must give 21πa2. If your integral disagrees, you have most likely mishandled a limit or forgotten that the radical only gives the top half.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Treating y=4−x2 as the whole circle
Why it's wrong: the square-root symbol returns only the non-negative value, so this curve is just the upper semicircle of x2+y2=4. Integrating as if both halves were included (or writing y=±4−x2) doubles the region and gives 4π instead of 2π. Correct approach: the region is the half-disc above the x-axis, area 21πr2=2π.
Mistake 2: Wrong limits after the substitution x=2sinθ
Why it's wrong: at x=2 the correct angle is θ=2π, not θ=π; pushing θ to π makes cosθ negative and corrupts the sign of the integrand. Correct approach: map x=0→θ=0 and x=2→θ=2π, where cosθ≥0 so 4−x2=2cosθ.
- 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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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- 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 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 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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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
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- 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.
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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.
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Analyze △AGB:
We are given ∠DAB=6π and ∠ABE=3π.
In △AGB:
- ∠GAB=∠DAB=6π
- ∠GBA=∠ABE=3π
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
- 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.
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