Estimate the area under the graph off(x) = 9 + 4x^2 from x = −1 to x = 2

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

You need to evaluate the area under the graph of f(x), from `x=-1`  to `x=2` , hence, you should use the definite integral such that:

`int_(-1)^2(9 + 4x^2) dx`

Using the linearity of integrals yields:

`int_(-1)^2 (9 + 4x^2) dx = int_(-1)^2 (9) dx+ int_(-1)^2 (4x^2) dx`

`int_(-1)^2 (9 + 4x^2) dx = 9x|_(-1)^2 + 4x^3/3|_(-1)^2`

You need to use the fundamental theorem of calculus such that:

`int_(-1)^2 (9 + 4x^2) dx = 9(2 - (-1)) + 4(2^3/3 - (-1)^3/3)`

`int_(-1)^2 (9 + 4x^2) dx = 27 + 12`

`int_(-1)^2 (9 + 4x^2) dx = 39 `

Hence, evaluating the area under the graph of function f(x), from `x=-1 to x=2` , yields `int_(-1)^2 (9 + 4x^2) dx = 39.`

See eNotes Ad-Free

Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial Team