Exploring the Area Under the Curve y x^3 - 4x^2 - 3x: A Detailed Guide

Exploring the Area Under the Curve y x^3 - 4x^2 - 3x: A Detailed Guide

This article delves into the calculations of the area under the curve given by the polynomial function yx3-4x2-3x from x0 to x3. We will cover the process of finding the x-intercepts, determining the extrema, and integrating the function to find the area.

1. Finding the x-intercepts

To find the x-intercepts, we set y0 in the given equation, leading to the equation x3-4x2-3x0. Factoring, we get:

[mathbf{x(x-1)(x 3) 0}]

Thus, the x-intercepts are:

x0 x1 x-3

For the given interval, the x-intercepts that fall within are x0 and x1.

2. Determining the Extrema

We find the extrema by taking the first derivative of the function:

[mathbf{y'} 3x^2 - 8x}]

Setting y'0, we find the x-values of the extrema:

[mathbf{3x^2 - 8x 0}]

[mathbf{x(3x - 8) 0}]

Thus, the x-values are:

x0 x83

Substituting these x-values into the original equation gives us the y-values:

y0 for x0 y-5927127 for x83

3. Calculating the Area Between the Curve and the x-axis

To find the area under the curve between x0 and x3, we integrate the function:

[mathbf{A int_{0}^{1} (x^3 - 4x^2 - 3x) , dx - int_{1}^{3} (x^3 - 4x^2 - 3x) , dx}]

Evaluating these integrals, we get:

[mathbf{A left[frac{x^4}{4} - frac{4x^3}{3} - frac{3x^2}{2}right]_{0}^{1} - left[frac{x^4}{4} - frac{4x^3}{3} - frac{3x^2}{2}right]_{1}^{3}}]

Simplifying these expressions, we find:

[mathbf{A left(frac{1}{4} - frac{4}{3} - frac{3}{2}right) - left(frac{81}{4} - frac{108}{3} - frac{27}{2}right) left(frac{1}{4} - frac{4}{3} - frac{3}{2}right)}]

Further simplification gives:

[mathbf{A frac{1}{4} - frac{4}{3} - frac{3}{2} - frac{81}{4} frac{108}{3} frac{27}{2} frac{1}{4} - frac{4}{3} - frac{3}{2}}]

This simplifies to:

[mathbf{A -frac{431}{12} 36} mathbf{frac{25}{12}}.Unit:square]

The total area under the curve between x0 and x3 is approximately 2.08 square units.

Conclusion

The problem of finding the area under the curve y x^3 - 4x^2 - 3x from x 0 to x 3 requires the use of calculus to identify x-intercepts, extrema, and then integrate the function. This method ensures accuracy and a deeper understanding of polynomial functions and their behavior.

References and Further Reading

Khan Academy - Definite Integrals Math is Fun - Polynomial Examples Overleaf - Document Preparation for Math