Cairo University

Faculty of Science
Department of Mathematics

Calculus and analytical geometry (2)

(MATH 132)-Lecture #09
11week
4th week
th (April 19,
(August 2025 -–August
9, 2025 April 24,14,
2025)
2025)

Areas Between Curves

Theoretical part:
We defined and calculated areas of regions that lie under the graphs
of functions. Here we use integrals to find areas of regions that lie
between the graphs of two functions. Consider the region 𝑆 that lies
between two curves 𝑦 = 𝑓 (𝑥) and 𝑦 = 𝑔(𝑥) and between the
vertical lines 𝑥 = 𝑎 and 𝑥 = 𝑏, where 𝑓 and 𝑔 are continuous
functions and 𝑓 (𝑥) ≥ 𝑔(𝑥) for all 𝑥 in [𝑎, 𝑏] as illustrated in
Figure 1. The area 𝐴 of the region 𝑆 is

𝑏
𝐴 = ∫ [𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)]𝑑𝑥
𝑎

Example 1: (P429, Stewart) Figure 1

Find the area of the region bounded above by 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑥 , bounded below by 𝑦 = 𝑥, and bounded on
the sides by 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 1.
Solution: The region is shown in Figure 2. The upper boundary
curve is 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑥 and the lower boundary curve is 𝑦 = 𝑥. So, we
use the area formula with 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥 , 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥, 𝑎 = 0, and 𝑏 = 1
:
1 1
1
𝐴= ∫ (𝑒 𝑥 − 𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = 𝑒 − 𝑥 2 ]
𝑥
0 2 0
1
= 𝑒 − − 1 = 𝑒 − 1.5
2
Figure 2
Example 2: (P429, Stewart) Find the area of the region enclosed by the parabolas
𝑦 = 𝑥 2 and 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 𝑥 2 .
Solution: We first find the points of intersection of the parabolas by solving their equations
simultaneously. This gives 𝑥 2 = 2𝑥 − 𝑥 2 , or 2𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 = 0. Thus 2𝑥(𝑥 − 1) = 0, so 𝑥 = 0 or 1.
The points of intersection are (0,0) and (1,1).
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MATH 132 (Calculus II) Lecture 9

We see from Figure 3 that the top and bottom boundaries are

𝑦𝑇 = 2𝑥 − 𝑥 2 and 𝑦𝐵 = 𝑥 2

The area of a typical rectangle is

(𝑦𝑇 − 𝑦𝐵 ) Δ𝑥 = (2𝑥 − 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 2 )Δ𝑥

and the region lies between 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = 1. So, the total area is
1 1 Figure 3
2 )𝑑𝑥 2 )𝑑𝑥
𝐴 = ∫ (2𝑥 − 2𝑥 = 2 ∫ (𝑥 − 𝑥
0 0
2 3 1
𝑥 𝑥 1 1 1
= 2[ − ] = 2( − ) =
2 3 0 2 3 3

If we are asked to find the area between the curves 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑦 = 𝑔(𝑥) where 𝑓(𝑥) ≥ 𝑔(𝑥)
for some values of 𝑥 but 𝑔(𝑥) ≥ 𝑓(𝑥) for other values of 𝑥, then we split the given region 𝑆 into
several regions 𝑆1 , 𝑆2 , … with areas 𝐴1 , 𝐴2 , … as shown in Figure 4. We then define the area of the
region 𝑆 to be the sum of the areas of the smaller regions 𝑆1 , 𝑆2 , …, that is, 𝐴 = 𝐴1 + 𝐴2 + ⋯.
Since
𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥) when 𝑓(𝑥) ≥ 𝑔(𝑥)
|𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)| = {
𝑔(𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑥) when 𝑔(𝑥) ≥ 𝑓(𝑥)

we have the following expression for 𝐴.

The area between the curves 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑦 = 𝑔(𝑥) and

between 𝑥 = 𝑎 and 𝑥 = 𝑏 is
𝑏
Figure 4
𝐴 = ∫ |𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)|𝑑𝑥
𝑎

When evaluating the integral we must still split it into integrals corresponding to 𝐴1 , 𝐴2 , ….

Example 3: (P432, Stewart) Find the area of the region bounded by the curves 𝑦 = sin 𝑥 , 𝑦 =
cos 𝑥, 𝑥 = 0, and 𝑥 = 𝜋/2.
Solution: The points of intersection occur when sin 𝑥 = cos 𝑥, that is, when 𝑥 = 𝜋/4 (since 0 ≤
𝑥 ≤ 𝜋/2 ). The region is sketched in Figure 5.

Observe that cos 𝑥 ≥ sin 𝑥 when 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝜋/4 but sin 𝑥 ≥ cos 𝑥

when 𝜋/4 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝜋/2. Therefore, the required area is

Figure 5

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MATH 132 (Calculus II) Lecture 9

𝜋/2
𝐴=∫ | cos 𝑥 − sin 𝑥 |𝑑𝑥 = 𝐴1 + 𝐴2
0
𝜋
𝜋/4
2
=∫ (cos 𝑥 − sin 𝑥)𝑑𝑥 + ∫ (sin 𝑥 − cos 𝑥)𝑑𝑥
𝜋
0
4
𝜋
𝜋/2
= [sin 𝑥 + cos 𝑥]04
+ [− cos 𝑥 − sin 𝑥]𝜋/4
1 1 1 1
=( + − 0 − 1) + (−0 − 1 + + )
√2 √2 √2 √2
= 2√2 − 2
Some regions are best treated by regarding 𝑥 as a function of 𝑦.

If a region is bounded by curves with equations 𝑥 = 𝑓(𝑦), 𝑥 = 𝑔(𝑦), 𝑦 = 𝑐, and 𝑦 = 𝑑, where 𝑓

and 𝑔 are continuous and 𝑓(𝑦) ≥ 𝑔(𝑦) for 𝑐 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 𝑑 ,then its area is
𝑑
𝐴 = ∫ [𝑓(𝑦) − 𝑔(𝑦)]𝑑𝑦
𝑐

If we write 𝑥𝑅 for the right boundary and 𝑥𝐿 for the left boundary, then,
Figure 6 illustrates, we have
𝑑
𝐴 = ∫ (𝑥𝑅 − 𝑥𝐿 )𝑑𝑦
𝑐

Here a typical approximating rectangle has dimensions 𝑥𝑅 − 𝑥𝐿 and Δ𝑦.

Figure 6

Example 3: (P433, Stewart) Find the area enclosed by the line 𝑦 = 𝑥 − 1 and the parabola
𝑦 2 = 2𝑥 + 6.

Solution: By solving the two equations we find that the points of intersection are (−1, −2) and
(5,4). We solve the equation of the parabola for 𝑥 and notice from Figure 7 that the left and right
1
boundary curves are 𝑥𝐿 = 2 𝑦 2 − 3 and 𝑥𝑅 = 𝑦 + 1.

We must integrate between the appropriate 𝑦-values, 𝑦 = −2 and 𝑦 = 4. Thus

4 4 1
𝐴 = ∫−2 (𝑥𝑅 − 𝑥𝐿 )𝑑𝑦 = ∫−2 [(𝑦 + 1) − (2 𝑦 2 − 3)] 𝑑𝑦
4 1
= ∫−2 (− 2 𝑦 2 + 𝑦 + 4) 𝑑𝑦
4
1 𝑦3 𝑦2
= −2( 3 ) + + 4𝑦]
2 −2
1 4
= − 6 (64) + 8 + 16 − (3 + 2 − 8) = 18

Figure 7

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MATH 132 (Calculus II) Lecture 9

Improper integral
Definition 1: Improper Integral of Type 1 (Infinite Intervals)
𝑡
(a) If ∫𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 exists for every number 𝑡 ≥ 𝑎, then
∞ 𝑡
∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = lim ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥
𝑎 𝑡→∞ 𝑎

provided this limit exists (as a finite number).

𝑏
(b) If ∫𝑡 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 exists for every number 𝑡 ≤ 𝑏, then
𝑏 𝑏
∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = lim ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥
−∞ 𝑡→−∞ 𝑡

provided this limit exists (as a finite number).

∞ 𝑏
The improper integrals ∫𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 and ∫−∞ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 are called convergent if the corresponding
limit exists and divergent if the limit does not exist.
∞ 𝑎
(c) If both ∫𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 and ∫−∞ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 are convergent, then we define
∞ 𝑎 ∞
∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 + ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥
−∞ −∞ 𝑎

In part (c) any real number 𝑎 can be used.

Example 1: (P527, Stewart) Find the area of the infinite region S that lies under the curve
1
𝑦 = 𝑥 2 , above the 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠, and to the right of the line 𝑥 = 1.
Solution:
∞
1
𝐴=∫ 2
𝑑𝑥
1 𝑥
𝑡 𝑡
1 1 1
𝐴(𝑡) = ∫ 2 𝑑𝑥 = − ] = 1 −
1 𝑥 𝑥1 𝑡
Figure 8
Notice that 𝐴(𝑡) < 1 no matter how large 𝑡 is chosen.
We also observe that
1
lim 𝐴(𝑡) = lim (1 − ) = 1
𝑡→∞ 𝑡→∞ 𝑡
The area of the shaded region in Figure 8 approaches 1 as 𝑡 → ∞, so we say that the area of the
infinite region 𝑆 is equal to 1 and we write
∞ 𝑡
1 1
𝐴 = ∫ 2 𝑑𝑥 = lim ∫ 2 𝑑𝑥 = 1
1 𝑥 𝑡→∞ 1 𝑥

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MATH 132 (Calculus II) Lecture 9

∞ 1
Example 2: (P528, Stewart) Determine whether the integral ∫1 ( ) 𝑑𝑥 is
𝑥
convergent or divergent.

Solution: According to part (a) of Definition 1, we have

∞ 𝑡 𝑡
1 1
∫ 𝑑𝑥 = lim ∫ 𝑑𝑥 = lim ln |𝑥| ] = lim ln|𝑡| − ln|1| = lim ln|𝑡| = ∞
1 𝑥 𝑡→∞ 1 𝑥 𝑡→∞
1
𝑡→∞ 𝑡→∞
Figure 9
Example 3: (P529, Stewart) Evaluate
0
∫ 𝑥𝑒 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
−∞
Solution: Using part (b) Definition 1, we have
0 0
∫ 𝑥𝑒 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = lim ∫ 𝑥𝑒 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
−∞ 𝑡→−∞ 𝑡

We integrate by parts with 𝑢 = 𝑥, 𝑑𝑣 = 𝑒 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 so that 𝑑𝑢 = 𝑑𝑥, 𝑣 = 𝑒 𝑥 :

0 0
∫ 𝑥𝑒 𝑥 𝑑𝑥= 𝑥𝑒 𝑥 ]0𝑡 − ∫ 𝑒 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑡 𝑡
= −𝑡𝑒 𝑡 − 1 + 𝑒 𝑡
We know that 𝑒 𝑡 → 0 as 𝑡 → −∞, and by l'Hospital's Rule we have
𝑡 1
lim 𝑡𝑒 𝑡 = lim = lim
𝑡→−∞ 𝑡→−∞ 𝑒 −𝑡
𝑡→−∞ −𝑒 −𝑡
𝑡
= lim (−𝑒 ) = 0
𝑡→−∞

Therefore
0
∫ 𝑥𝑒 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = lim (−𝑡𝑒 𝑡 − 1 + 𝑒 𝑡 )
−∞ 𝑡→−∞

= −0 − 1 + 0 = −1
∞ 1
Example 4: (P530, Stewart) Evaluate ∫−∞ 1+𝑥 2 𝑑𝑥
Solution: It's convenient to choose 𝑎 = 0 in part (c) of Definition 1:
∞ 0 ∞
1 1 1
∫ 2
𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 2
𝑑𝑥 + ∫ 2
𝑑𝑥
−∞ 1 + 𝑥 −∞ 1 + 𝑥 0 1+𝑥 Figure 10
We must now evaluate the integrals on the right side separately:

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MATH 132 (Calculus II) Lecture 9

∞ 𝑡 𝑡
1 𝑑𝑥
∫ 2
𝑑𝑥= lim ∫ 2
= lim tan−1 𝑥]
0 1 + 𝑥 𝑡→∞ 0 1 + 𝑥 𝑡→∞
0
𝜋
= lim (tan−1 𝑡 − tan−1 0) = lim tan−1 𝑡 =
𝑡→∞ 𝑡→∞ 2
0 0 0
1 𝑑𝑥
∫ 2
𝑑𝑥= lim ∫ 2
= lim tan−1 𝑥]
−∞ 1 + 𝑥 𝑡→−∞ 𝑡 1 + 𝑥 𝑡→−∞
𝑡
𝜋 𝜋
= lim (tan−1 0 − tan−1 𝑡) = 0 − (− ) =
𝑡→−∞ 2 2
Since both of these integrals are convergent, the given integral is convergent and
∞
1 𝜋 𝜋
∫ 2
𝑑𝑥 = + =𝜋
−∞ 1 + 𝑥 2 2

Example 5: (P530, Stewart) For what values of 𝑝 is the given integral convergent?
∞
1
∫ 𝑑𝑥
1 𝑥𝑝

Solution: We know from Example 2 that if 𝑝 = 1, then the integral is divergent, so let's assume
that 𝑝 ≠ 1. Then
∞ 𝑡 𝑥=𝑡
1 −𝑝
𝑥 −𝑝+1
∫ 𝑝
𝑑𝑥= lim ∫ 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = lim ]
1 𝑥 𝑡→∞ 1 𝑡→∞ −𝑝 + 1
𝑥=1
1 1
= lim [ − 1]
𝑡→∞ 1 − 𝑝 𝑡 𝑝−1

If 𝑝 > 1, then 𝑝 − 1 > 0, so as 𝑡 → ∞, 𝑡 𝑝−1 → ∞ and 1/𝑡 𝑝−1 → 0. Therefore

∞
1 1
∫ 𝑑𝑥 = if 𝑝 > 1
1 𝑥𝑝 𝑝−1

and so, the integral converges. But if 𝑝 < 1, then 𝑝 − 1 < 0 and so
1
= 𝑡1−𝑝 → ∞ as 𝑡 → ∞
𝑡 𝑝−1
and the integral diverges.

Therefore, we may say that

∞ 1
∫1 𝑑𝑥 is convergent if 𝑝 ≥ 1 and divergent if 𝑝 < 1.
𝑥𝑝

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MATH 132 (Calculus II) Lecture 9

Definition 2: Improper Integral of Type 2 (Discontinuous Integrands)

(a) If 𝑓 is continuous on [𝑎, 𝑏) and is discontinuous at 𝑏, then
𝑏 𝑡
∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = lim− ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥
𝑎 𝑡→𝑏 𝑎

if this limit exists (as a finite number).

(b) If 𝑓 is continuous on (𝑎, 𝑏] and is discontinuous at 𝑎, then
𝑏 𝑏
∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = lim+ ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥
𝑎 𝑡→𝑎 𝑡

if this limit exists (as a finite number).

𝑏
The improper integral ∫𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 is called convergent if the corresponding limit exists and
divergent if the limit does not exist.
𝑐 𝑏
(c) If 𝑓 has a discontinuity at 𝑐, where 𝑎 < 𝑐 < 𝑏, and both ∫𝑎 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 and ∫𝑐 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 are
convergent, then we define
𝑏 𝑐 𝑏
∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 + ∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥
𝑎 𝑎 𝑐

5 1
Example 6: (P531, Stewart) Find ∫2 𝑑𝑥.
√𝑥−2
Solution: We note first that the given integral is improper because
𝑓(𝑥) = 1/√𝑥 − 2 has the vertical asymptote 𝑥 = 2. Since the
infinite discontinuity occurs at the left endpoint of [2, 5], we use
part (b) of Definition 2:
5 5 5
1 1
∫ 𝑑𝑥= lim+ ∫ 𝑑𝑥 = lim+ 2√𝑥 − 2]
2 √𝑥 − 2 𝑡→2 t √𝑥 − 2 𝑡→2
t
= lim+ [2√3 − 2√𝑡 − 2] = 2√3 Figure 11
𝑡→2

𝜋/2
Example 7: (P532, Stewart) Determine whether ∫0 sec 𝑥𝑑𝑥 converges or diverges.
Solution: Note that the given integral is improper because lim − sec 𝑥 = ∞. Using part (a) of
𝑥→(𝜋/2)
Definition 2, we have
𝜋/2 𝑡 𝑡
∫ sec 𝑥 𝑑𝑥= lim ∫ sec 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = lim ln | sec 𝑥 + tan 𝑥 |]
0 𝑡→(𝜋/2)− 0 𝑡→(𝜋/2)−
0
= lim [ln(sec 𝑡 + tan 𝑡) − ln 1] = ∞
𝑡→(𝜋/2)−

because sec 𝑡 → ∞ and tan 𝑡 → ∞ as 𝑡 → (𝜋/2)− . Thus, the given improper integral is
divergent.

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MATH 132 (Calculus II) Lecture 9
3 𝑑𝑥
Example 8: (P532, Stewart) Evaluate ∫0 if possible.
𝑥−1
Solution: Observe that the line 𝑥 = 1 is a vertical asymptote of the integrand. Since it occurs in
the middle of the interval [0,3], we must use part (c) of Definition 2 with 𝑐 = 1 :
3 1 3
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
∫ =∫ +∫
0 𝑥−1 0 𝑥−1 1 𝑥−1

1 𝑡 𝑡
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
∫ = lim− ∫ = lim− ln |𝑥 − 1|]
0 𝑥 − 1 𝑡→1 0 𝑥 − 1 𝑡→1
0
= lim− (ln |𝑡 − 1| − ln | − 1|) = lim− ln(1 − 𝑡) = −∞
𝑡→1 𝑡→1

1 3
+ − 1 1
because 1 − 𝑡 → 0 as 𝑡 → 1 . Thus ∫ 𝑑𝑥 is divergent. This implies that ∫ 𝑑𝑥 is
𝑥−1 𝑥−1
0 0
3
1
divergent. [We do not need to evaluate ∫ 𝑑𝑥 .]
𝑥−1
0

Example 9: (P532, Stewart)

1
∫ ln 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
0
Solution: We know that the function 𝑓(𝑥) = ln 𝑥 has a vertical asymptote at 0
since lim+ ln 𝑥 = −∞. Thus, the given integral is improper, and we have
𝑥→0

1 1
∫ ln 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = lim+ ∫ ln 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
0 𝑡→0 𝑡
𝑑𝑥 Figure 12
Now we integrate by parts with 𝑢 = ln 𝑥 , 𝑑𝑣 = 𝑑𝑥, 𝑑𝑢 = , and 𝑣 = 𝑥 :
𝑥

1 1
∫ ln 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑥 ln 𝑥]1𝑡 − ∫ 𝑑𝑥 = 1 ln 1 − 𝑡 ln 𝑡 − (1 − 𝑡) = −𝑡 ln 𝑡 − 1 + 𝑡
𝑡 𝑡

To find the limit of the first term we use l'Hospital's Rule:

ln 𝑡 1/𝑡
lim+ 𝑡 ln 𝑡 = lim+ = lim+ = lim (−𝑡) = 0
𝑡→0 𝑡→0 1/𝑡 𝑡→0 −1/𝑡 2 𝑡→0+
1
Therefore ∫0 ln 𝑥 𝑑𝑥 = lim+ (−𝑡 ln 𝑡 − 1 + 𝑡) = −0 − 1 + 0 = −1
𝑡→0
Figure 12 shows the geometric interpretation of this result. The area of the shaded region above
𝑦 = ln 𝑥 and below the 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 is 1.

End of the note

Best wishes

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