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n
X
exi cos(xi )x
i=1
n
X
f (xi )x =
f (x)dx
i=1
i=1
Solution. First notice that the function is only defined for x [R, R]
because if x 6 [R, R] (as, for example, happens if x > R) then we have the
2
square root of a negative number (which is not a real number). The graph
of the function corresponds to the upper part of a circle of radius R centered
at the origin. To see this remember that such a circle is given by the set of
points in the plane satisfying x2 + y 2 = R2 . So, solving for y we find:
y 2 = R 2 x2 y = R 2 x2
If we choose the + sign we have the upper part of the circle; choosing the
one we have the lower part (see figure below). In particular, the answer
R 2 x2
R 2 x2
Figure 1: Starting with the circle and solving for y, we obtain two different functions according to the sign chosen.
to question (i) is given by the solid line in the figure. Now recall that the
integral means the area under the curve. The curve under the graph is the
region limited by the upper part of the circle and the x-axis, i.e., the upper
half of the disc. Since the area of a disc of radius R is R2 , the answer to
2
part (ii) is R2 .
Again, some common mistakes that you should avoid:
the question is asking you to compute the integral interpreting it in
terms of the area under the graph. So, first you need to have the
(correct) graph and then apply the standard formulas for area. Do not
try to evaluate the integral thinking it will be easier; in fact, only with
the techniques we learn up to now you will not be able to solve this
integral.
3
draw the correct graph is essential for this kind of problem. If you are
not sure about it, you may substitute R by some number and then
construct a table with some values in order to have a hint of how the
graph looks like. But once you realize it, the graph and the answer
must be in terms of R, not in terms of some number you plugged into
R.