Finding the Area of an Elliptical Region Using Integration

In summary, the conversation discusses finding the area of a region bounded by the positive x-axis, positive y-axis, and a curve using vertical and horizontal strips. The attempt at a solution involved integrating and transposing equations to find the area, but a mistake was made regarding the interval for integration. After correcting the mistake, the correct intervals for integration were found to be from 0 to 1 for the vertical strips and from 0 to 2 for the horizontal strips. The conversation also mentions the importance of learning to find integrals by hand and not relying heavily on calculators. Lastly, the conversation provides a recommendation to check the result using the area formula for ellipses, as the given curve is an ellipse.
  • #1
Illusionist
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Homework Statement


Find the area of the region bounded by the positive x-axis,
the positive y-axis and the curve:
(x^2) +[(y^2)/4] = 1
using vertical and horizontal strips.

Homework Equations


Basically I just tried to use integration to find the area, but I suspect I have made a mistake about what the interval for the integration should be.


The Attempt at a Solution


Vertical Strips -
Transposing the equation gives me: y=Sqrt[1-(x^2)]
So basically I know that the area would be the integral of this but not 100% sure between what intervals. I suspect, from a graph obtained from a graphics calculator, that is between 1 and -1.
Hence area= Integral of Sqrt[1-(x^2)] between 1 and -1.
The integral I got to be Sqrt[1-(x^2)]x + arcsin(x), from a online integration calculator. Between 1 and -1 this would give a area of Pi.

Horizontal Strips -
Transposing the equation gives me: x=Sqrt[1-[(y^2)/4])
Now the integral of this I got to be [(1/4)Sqrt(4-(y^2))].y + arcsin(y/2)
From the same graph I assume the interval for this one should be from 2 to 0. But substituting these values gives me a area of (Pi/2).

Obviously the areas need to be the same and they aren't! I'm positive that it is the intervals for integration that I am having trouble with, but where the mistake is and why I am not sure. My only guess is that becaise it says positive x and y-axis that the interval for the vertical strips should be 1 to 0, but not sure and would this approach change anything I did for the horizontal? Any help or advice would be great. Thanks guys!
 
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  • #2
here is the mistake
y=Sqrt[1-(x^2)]
you forgot 4
y=4*Sqrt[1-(x^2)]
and interval is from 0 to 1
can you see why?
 
  • #3
and just a recommendation: It is better to get use to find integrals by hand rather than calculator;)
 
  • #4
matness said:
here is the mistake

you forgot 4
y=4*Sqrt[1-(x^2)]
and interval is from 0 to 1
can you see why?

Yeah sorry. Between 0 to 1 would make sense, as both horizontal and vertical would give me an area of (Pi/2) now, but using the same sort of approach is my horizontal method still right?
Thanks for that matness, and yeah I really should stop relying so heavily on my calculator.
 
  • #5
Sorry i did a mistake also :
y=2*sqrt(1-x^2)
 
  • #6
you can trust calculators but i want to say it is better doing by hand in order to learn and useful for other calculations
p.s.: Stop relying heavily what other people say:)
 
  • #7
Yeah I get what you mean matness, thanks for everything mate. I just not really confident with what I do and why, like in this question. Still not sure what I did was right for the horizontal strips.
 
  • #8
The equation says the curve is an ellipse.(see the image below)
if x = 0 then y = 2 or-2 so graph intersect the y-ax's at 2 and =2
if y=0 then x=1 or -1 similarly this means the graph intersects x-axis at this points
Anyway if you understood the graph no problem ? it is 1&4 of an ellipse

first of all integral means infinitesimall sum. Roughly you can either sum up the areas of horizontal strips or vertical strips .
lets look at the horizontal sum case
one side of the rectangle is dy and the other side is x which is equal to Sqrt[1-[(y^2)/4]
and you have a sum from 0 to 2 because your region is given in this way
the region bounded by the positive x-axis,
the positive y-axis and the curve:
(x^2) +[(y^2)/4] = 1
so you have
area=integral from 0 to 2 of Sqrt[1-[(y^2)/4]dy
vertical strips case is similliar

you can check your result by using area formula for ellipses.you have to find 1/4 of the area of the ellipse

p.s.what i wrote is not so formal things i just try to explain intuitively
i hope this does not make you confuse
 

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FAQ: Finding the Area of an Elliptical Region Using Integration

What is a definite integral for area?

A definite integral for area is a mathematical concept used to find the area under a curve between two points on a graph. It involves calculating the area of infinitely small rectangles or trapezoids that make up the curve, and then adding them together to get an approximation of the total area.

How is a definite integral for area different from a regular integral?

A definite integral for area has specific limits of integration, which represent the starting and ending points on the x-axis for calculating the area under the curve. A regular integral does not have these limits and is used to find the antiderivative of a function.

What is the relationship between the definite integral for area and the Riemann sum?

The definite integral for area is essentially a more accurate version of the Riemann sum. The Riemann sum uses rectangles to approximate the area under a curve, while the definite integral uses infinitely small rectangles or trapezoids, resulting in a more precise measurement of the area.

Can the definite integral for area be negative?

Yes, the definite integral for area can be negative. This occurs when the function we are integrating is below the x-axis, resulting in negative area. The absolute value of the negative area is still the total area under the curve, and we can interpret the negative sign as representing the direction of the area (below the x-axis).

How is the definite integral for area used in real-life applications?

The definite integral for area has many real-life applications, including calculating the distance traveled by an object with a varying velocity, finding the volume of irregularly shaped objects, and determining the total work done by a variable force. It is also used in physics, economics, and engineering to solve various problems involving rates of change.

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