What is the area between a curve and a straight line?

• This is the area enclosed by a curve and a line between their?intersections
• The intersections may need to be found using simultaneous equations

How do I find the area between a curve and a line?

• The area enclosed will be the?difference?between …
  • the?area under the curve?and
  • the?area under?the line
• These can be found separately

• There may be easier ways to find the area under a line

• Once the areas are found a question can be answered in full

• STEP 1: Find the intersections of the line and the curve
• STEP 2: Find the area under a curve,?R_C, using definite integration
• STEP 3: Find the area under a line,?R_L, either using definite integration?or?the area formulae for basic shapes
• STEP 4: To find the area,?R, between the curve and the line?subtract?the?smaller?area?from?the?larger?area
  • If curve on top this will be?R_C?– R_L
  • If line on top this will be?R_L?- R_C

Alternative method

• An alternative method allows subtraction of the two functions first
• But be extremely careful as to whether the curve or the line is on top

• STEP 1: Find the intersections of the line and the curve
• STEP 2: Subtract the functions algebraically
  • Ensure this is done the correct way round!
• STEP 3: Find the area,?R, between the curve and the line using?definite?integration