In order to find the area enclosed between the functions f(x)=x^3 and g(x)=2x-x^3, at x=-2 to x=1, what is the minimum number of integrals that can be used?

Question

amistre64 · Answer

minimum number of integrals?

anonymous · Answer

yes, i'm not sure what it means >.< it's on my exam review. the answer is 3

amistre64 · Answer

you use one integral to find the area of the top function, one to find the area of the bottom funtion, then subtract the botton from the top... how many....thats an odd question..

anonymous · Answer

then why is the answer 3? 2 integrals to find the area and then algebra to subtract one from the other? what im confused now

anonymous · Answer

*find the areas

amistre64 · Answer

LOL ..... now youre like me ;)

anonymous · Answer

haha i have no idea

amistre64 · Answer

i have found that test do include human error.

anonymous · Answer

haha i have no idea

anonymous · Answer

it's 3 because f(x) uses one integral, and both elements in g(x) can have their seperate integral.

anonymous · Answer

also if you think about using right endpoints, and left endpoints to calculate the area (or even midpoints), you will have 3 areas to calculate under the curve if seperated by 1 unit increments

anonymous · Answer

the reason why the minimum is 3 is because only using 2 integrals would leave you with an area that is not accurate wat so ever, whereas if you use 3,m because there are 4 x values between -2 and 1, your area found will be accurate when u average out left endpoints, and right endpoints.