MTH 252

Section 5.3
Exercise 50
Justin Drawbert
July 14, 2010

In James Stewart’s Calculus:

√ Concepts and Contexts, 4th Edition, Section 5.3, Exercise 50, we
are given a graph of y = 4 x, 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 where the area that is shaded is between the area above
the curve and y = 1. We are asked to find the area shaded above the curve by thinking about this
in 2 ways. First by integrating with respect to y, and the by imagining the graph roated 90 degrees
counter-clockwise, substututing y for x, solving for y and then integrating in terms of y.

If we first consider the shaded portion as being the area between y = 1 and the curve, we would
state this mathematically as Z 1 Z 1
√
y = 1 dx − y = 4 x dx
0 0
If we recall that Z b
c dx = c(b − a), where c is any constant
a
This gives us
1 1 1 1
√ 4x5/4  4
Z Z
 1
y = 1 dx − y= 4
x dx ⇒ 1 −  =1−0− 5 −0= 5
0 0 0 5 0

1
 The other way of thinking about is is to think of the graph rotated counter-clockwise 90 degrees.
1.1
x4

1.0

0.9

0.8

0.6

0.5

y
0.4

0.2

0.1

0.0

-0.1
−1.125 −1 −0.875 −0.75 −0.625 −0.5 −0.375 −0.25 −0.125 0 0.125
x

Substituting our x and y values and then solving for y gives us

√ √
4
4
y = x ⇒ 4 y = x4 ⇒ y = x4

Realizing that our x values are now opposite that which they once were, we evaluate
0 0
x5  (−1)5
Z
1
y = x4 dx ⇒ =0− =
−1 5 −1 5 5

So we can see that no matter which way you think about it, the results are the same. The key is
realizing that when you rotate the graph counter-clockwise, your positive y-values become negative
x-values. So if our function had a range of say, [5, 6], once we rotated it counter clockwise, and
substituted x and y values, we would evaluate from −6 to −5.

I have a feeling this concept, or a concept similar will show up again later. If not later on in
Calculus, then probably in Linear Algebra and/or Differential Equations.