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Applied Math Area of Irregular Plane Figures

Chapter 14
Area of Irregular Plane Figures
In the previous chapters, areas of different regular figures have
been calculated. In this chapter we find the areas of figures which are not
regular and uniform in shape, such figures are called irregular. For
example, a plot of land may be partly bounded by a winding river. In this
case the exact area cannot be calculated, only the approximation of the
area can be made. Some of the rules devised for finding the areas of
irregular figures are given below.
14.1 Mid Ordinate Rule:
According to the rule, the base line AB of irregular figure ABCD
is divided into a number of equal strips each of breadth s.
At the mid point of each strip a vertical line drawn is called the
mid ordinate.
Let, a, b, c, d, e, f be the lengths of these and ordinates.
The area of each strip is approximately equal to s x mid ordinate.

Approximate area of the figure ABCD

= S(a + b + c + d + e + f)
Where S = breadth of each strip.
If the figure is divided into a different of strips, then area of the
figure = S(a + b + c + d + ………………)
Example 1:
The mid-ordinates of a water plane are 15m apart and their lengths
are 1.9, 6.6, 11, 5, 17, 4, 19.4, 20.8, 18.8, 15.8, 10.6 and 2.6
respectively. Find the area of the plane.
Solution:
By mid-ordinate rule
Area = S(A + b + c + d + ……..) where S is breadth of each strips
and a, b, c, d, ………….. are lengths of mid-ordinates.
Now, S = 15, and the length of mid-ordinates are 1.9, 6.6, 11, 14.5,
17.4, 19.4, 20.5, 20.8, 18.8, 15.8, 10.6 and 2.6 m.
Area = 15(1.9 + 6.6 + 11 + 14.5 + 17.4 + 19.4 + 20.5)
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= 15 x 159.9 sq. m = 2398.5 sq. m

14.2 Trapezoidal Rule:
The trapezoidal rule is another method for finding the area of
irregular plane figures. Let ABCD be a irregular figure. To find the area of
figure ABCD, divide the figure into a number of strip of equal width. Each
strip is treated as trapezium. So the area of the figure ABCD is the sum of
the areas of all these trapeziums. Let s be the width of each strip and a, b,
c, d, …… be the ordinates of the sides of the
strips.

Thus,

Sum of first and last ordinate

Area = S[ +(Sum of remaining ordinate)]
2
a+b
Area = S[ = (a + d + e + f + g)]
2
Example 2
Find the area of cross-section of river along a lone where the
depths at equal interval of 10m are noted 0, 7, 11, 15, 5, 0m
respectively.
Solution:
Since the number of ordinates are 0, 7, 11, 15, 5, 0 we apply the
trapezoidal rule.
Sum of first and last ordinate
Area = S[ +(Sum of remaining ordinate)]
2
0+0
= 10[ + 7 + 11 + 15 + 5]
2
= 10 x 38 = 380 sq. m

14.3 Simpson’s Rule:

The most important rule in practice is the Simpson’s rule because
of its simplicity and accuracy.
For the application of Simpson’s rule the figure is divided into an
even number of strip of equal width, thus giving an odd number of
ordinates.
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width of each strip

Area = [Sum of first and last ordinates + 2(Sum of
3
odd ordinates + 4(Sum of even ordinates)]
S
A= [A + 2D + 4E]
3
Where, A = sum of first and last ordinates
D = sum of odd ordinates
E = sum of even ordinates
S = width of each strip
So, this rule is applicable only where there will be an even number of
strips or odd numbers of ordinates.
Example 3:
Find the area of the field, whose ordinates are 0, 20, 22.5, 33.5, 45,
42, 33.5, 25.5 and 0 meter respectively. The width of each strip is
14m. Find the approximately cost of purchasing the field at a cost
of Rs 5,000/per m.
Solution:
The number of ordinates are odd therefore, we shall apply
Simpson’s rule.
Here, S = 14,
A = 0 + 0 =0
D = 22.5 + 45 + 33.5 = 101
E = 20 + 33.5 + 42 + 25.5 = 121
S
Area = [A + 2D + 4E]
3
14
= [0 + 2(101) + 4(121)]
3
14
= [202 + 484]
3
14
= x 686 = 3201.33 sq. m
3
Cost of purchasing the field = 3201.33 x 5000
= 160066 Rupees
Example 4:
Calculate the total area of a field with a base of 50m and ordinates
4, 6, 5, 7, 7, 6, 6.5, 7.5, 8, 8 and 9m respectively.
Solution:
Here base = 50m and the number of ordinates = 11
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Applied Math Area of Irregular Plane Figures

50
And strips = 10 so S = =5
10
A = 4 = 9 = 13
D = 5 + 7 + 6.5 + 8 = 26.5
E = 6 + 7 + 6 + 7.5 + 8 = 34.5
S
A= [A + 2D + 4E]
3
5 5
= [13 + 2(26.5) + 4(34.5)] = (204) = 340 sq. m
3 3
Example 5:
Find the area of the curve y = x2 between the values x = 1 and x = 7.
Solution:
For values of x = 1, 2, 3 ……. 7, the corresponding values of y are
in the given table.
X 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Y 1 4 9 16 25 36 49
Ordinates are 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49
S
Area = [A + 2D + 4E]
3
When S = length of strip = 1
1
A = [(1 + 49) + 2(9 + 25) + 4(4 +16 + 36)]
3
1 1
A = [50 + 2(34) + 4(56)] = [50 + 68 + 224]
3 3
1
= (342) = 114 sq. units
3
Example 6:
Calculate the total area of the figure shown below:
using Simpson rule. All the given dimensions are in cm
11 6
13
13
12
11
4

Solution: The given figure is divided into three parts

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Applied Math Area of Irregular Plane Figures

3 2
A1 = Area of an equilateral  ABC = a
4
= 3
(64)2 = 1773.67 sq. cm
4

Using Simpson rule

A2 = Area of the left side of  ABC
S
= [A + 2D + 4E]
3
8
= [(0 + 0) + 2(11 + 13 + 11)+ 4(4 + 12 + 13 + 6)]
3
8 8
A2 = [0 + 70 + 140] = [210] = 560sq. cm.
3 3
Area of the right side of  ABC
8
A3 = [(0 + 0)+2(7 + 13 + 14 ) + 4(4 + 10 + 14 + 4)]
3
8 8 8
= [0 + 68 + 4(37)] + [68 + 148] = (216)
3 3 3
A3 = 576 sq. cm
Area of given figure A1 + A2 + A3
= (1773.67 + 560 + 576)sq. cm = 2909.67 sq. cm
Example 7 :
Using Simpson’s rule calculate the total area of the plot of land
shown below.
Solution:
Consider a right angle  ABC by
Phthagoras theorem
(AB)2 = (AC)2 + (BC)2
(AB)2 = (30)2 + (40)2
(AB)2 = 900 + 1600 = 2500
AB = 50m
Since, base of figure = 50m and
number of strips = 8
50
 S= = 6.25m
8
By Simpson’s Rule
S
A= [A + 2D + 4E]
3
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Applied Math Area of Irregular Plane Figures

A = 10 + 20 = 30
D = 19 + 18 + 19 =56,
E = 11 + 14 + 17 + 18 = 60
6.25
A= [30 + 112 + 240] = 795.8 sq. m
3

Exercise 14
Q.1 Calculate the total area of a field with a base of 48m length and
ordinates of 2, 7, 5, 7.5, 8.5, 6.5, 6.5, 3, 5.5, 8, 11.5, 10.5 and 9
respectively.
Q.2 An irregular figure has ordinates 3.5, 4.75, 5.25, 7.5, 8.25, 14.75,
6, 9.5, 4cm respectively. Length of the base of irregular figure is
20cm find the area.
Q.3 Find the area of an irregular plane figure which is divided into 6
strips of equal width of 10m each and with mid ordinates of 22, 25,
31, 36 and 39 meters respectively.
Q.4 Find the area of an irregular plane figure whose ordinates are 20,
23, 28, 32, 34, 37, and 40m respectively and the width of each trip
is 7 meter.
Q.5 Find the area of an irregular plane figure whose ordinates are 7.75,
10.70, 11.20, 9.70, 7.75, 6.80, 6.30, 6.80 and 2.00 respectively.
The width of each strip is 8.25m
Q.6 Find area of an irregular figure by Simpson’s Rule if the ordinates
are 9. 11, 13, 12, 10, 13, 15, 17, 14, 12, 7 meters and base = 73
meters.
Q.7 Following ordinates of equal intervals are down in a plot of base
1200 meters. Find the area 50, 60, 80, 90, 30, 50, 60, 80, 70, 90,
100, 120, 130.
Q.8 Sketch the graph of the function y = 6 x - x2. Determine the total
area in the first quadrant between the curve and the y – axis by
Simpson,s Rule.

Answers 14
Q1. 340 sq. m Q2. 160.41 sq. m Q3. 1860 sq. m
Q4. 1288 sq. m Q5. 539.68 m Q6. 924.6 sq. m
Q7. 94000 sq.m Q8. 36 sq.unit
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Applied Math Area of Irregular Plane Figures

Summary
1 Area of irregular figure by mid ordinate rule
A = S(a + b + c + d ………)
When S = breadth of each strip
2 Trapezoidal Rule
Sum of first and last ordinate
Area = S[ +(Sum of remaining ordinate)]
2
a+g
Area = S[ = (b + c + d + e + f)]
2
S
3 Simpson’s rule A = [A + 2D + 4E]
3
Where, A = sum of 1st + last ordinate
D = sum of odd ordinates
E = sum of even ordinates
S = width of each strip
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Applied Math Area of Irregular Plane Figures

Short Questions
Q.1: Write the Simpsons Rule.
Q.2: Find the area of cross-section of river along a line where the depths
at equal interval of 10 m are noted 0, 7, 11, 15, 0 meter
respectively.
Q.3: Using Simpson’s rule, find the area of an irregular figure whose
ordinates are 20, 23, 23, 32, 34, 37 and 40 cm respectively and the
width of each strip is 7 cm.
Q.4: If base of a field 50 m and number of ordinates are 11, then find
breadth of strip.
Q.5: Find the area of the curve y = x2, between, the values x = 1
and x = 7.

Q.6: Define Irregular figure.

Answers
Q2. 366.3 sq.m. Q3. 1253sq. cm. Q4. 5m

Q5 114 sq.units.
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Objective Type Questions

Q.1 Each questions has four possible answers. Choose the correct
answer and encircle it.
___1. In Simpson’s rule, the number of ordinates are
(a) odd (b) even
(c) in fraction (d) None of these
___2. S, stands for, in calculating irregular figures
(a) breadth of strip (b) height of strip
(c) volume of strip (d) None of these
S
___3. Area of an irregular figure = [A + 2D + 4E] is
3
(a) mid-ordinate rule (b) Trapezoidal rule
(c) Simpson’s rule (d) None of these
___4. In Simpson’s Rule D, stands for
(a) Sum of 1st + last ordinates (b) Sum of odd ordinates
(c) Sum of even ordinates (d) None of these
___5. In Simpson’s Rule so calculating an irregular figure, number of
strips should be
(a) even (b) odd (c) double (d) Half
___6. Exact area of an irregular figure is calculated by
(a) Mid-ordinates rule (b) Simpson’s
(c) Trapezoidal rule (d) None of these
__7. More accurate area of an irregular figure can be calculated by
(a) Mid ordinate rule (b) Simpson’s Rule
(c) Trapezoidal Rule (d) Pythagoras theorem
___8. In Simpson’s rule, E. stand for
(a) Sum of odd ordinates (b) Sum of even ordinates
(c) Sum of 1st and last ordinate (d) None of these
___9. If base of field 50m and number of ordinates are 11, then breadth
of trips is equal to
(a) 5 (b) 10 (c) 15 (d) 4.54
___10. Simpson’s Rule is
S S
(a) [A + 2D + 4E] (b) [A - 2D + 4E]
2 3
S S
(c) [A + 2D + 4E] (d) [A + 4D + 2E]
3 3
Answers
Q.1 (1) a (2) a (3) c (4) b (5) b
(6) b (7) b (8) b (9) a (10) c