What am I doing wrong?

dagreat45

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Nov 7, 2012
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[h=1]Use the limiting process to find the area between the graph of the function?[/h]Use the limiting process to find the area between the graph of the function f(x)=x^2+x^3 and the x-axis over the interval [−2,0].

Area =


THis is how I worked it out below but its still not right..what am I doing wrong
function is negative on [-2,-1] and positive on [-1,0]
set s1 the are between the curve, x axis and lines x = -1, x = 0
and s2 the area between the curve, x axis and lines x=-2,x=-1

Requested area is
Area = s1 - s2

divide interval [-1,0] in n intervals width = 1/n
and let's compute the height of rectangles

which is the value of the function at
x = - k/n for k=0..n

f(-k/n) = k^2/n^2 -k^3/n^3

the area of the generic rectangle is
(k^2/n^2 -k^3/n^3)(1/n) = k^2/n^3 - k^3/n^4

and
s1 = lim Σ[k^2/n^3 - k^3/n^4] (as n--> infinity)

Σk^2/n^3 = (1/n^3) Σk^2 = (n + 1)(2n + 1)/(6n^2)

Σk^3/n^4 = (1/n^4)Σk^3 = (n + 1)^2/(4n^2)

s1 = lim [(n + 1)(2n + 1)/(6n^2) - (n + 1)^2/(4n^2)] =

= lim [(n + 1)(n - 1)/(12n^2) = 1/12 as n --> infinity

in the same way you find

s2 = -17/12

finally area = 1/12 - (-17/12) = 18/12 = 3/2
 
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