Applications of Integration
Areas, Volumes, Arc Length, and Surface Area
Dr. Isaac Azure
Department of Mathematics
July 15, 2025
Dr. Isaac Azure (Department of Mathematics) Applications of Integration July 15, 2025 1 / 13
Outline
1 Areas Between Curves
2 Volumes
3 Arc Length
4 Surface Area
5 Conclusion
Dr. Isaac Azure (Department of Mathematics) Applications of Integration July 15, 2025 2 / 13
Area Between Two Curves
Formula
If f (x) ≥ g (x) on [a, b], then
Z b
A= [f (x) − g (x)] dx
a
Useful for finding the region enclosed between two functions.
Area is always taken as a positive quantity.
Dr. Isaac Azure (Department of Mathematics) Applications of Integration July 15, 2025 3 / 13
Example 1: Area Between Curves
Find the area between f (x) = x 2 and g (x) = x over [0, 1]
1 1
x2 x3
Z
2 1 1 1
A= (x − x )dx = − = − =
0 2 3 0 2 3 6
Dr. Isaac Azure (Department of Mathematics) Applications of Integration July 15, 2025 4 / 13
Volume of Solids of Revolution (Disk Method)
Disk Method
For a region rotated about the x-axis:
Z b
V =π [f (x)]2 dx
a
Dr. Isaac Azure (Department of Mathematics) Applications of Integration July 15, 2025 5 / 13
Example 2: Volume Using Disk Method
√
Find the volume formed by rotating f (x) = x from 0 to 4 about the
x-axis
4 4 4
√ x2
Z Z
16
V =π ( x)2 dx = π x dx = π =π· = 8π
0 0 2 0 2
Dr. Isaac Azure (Department of Mathematics) Applications of Integration July 15, 2025 6 / 13
Washer Method (Hollow Solids)
Formula
If rotating region between two functions R(x) ≥ r (x), the volume is:
Z b
R(x)2 − r (x)2 dx
V =π
a
Dr. Isaac Azure (Department of Mathematics) Applications of Integration July 15, 2025 7 / 13
Arc Length Formula
Formula
If y = f (x) is smooth on [a, b], then:
s 2
Z b
dy
L= 1+ dx
a dx
Dr. Isaac Azure (Department of Mathematics) Applications of Integration July 15, 2025 8 / 13
Example 3: Arc Length
Find the arc length of y = x 2 from x = 0 to x = 1
Z 1q Z 1p
dy
= 2x ⇒ L = 1 + (2x)2 dx = 1 + 4x 2 dx
dx 0 0
1 1
Use substitution x = 2 sinh u ⇒ dx = 2 cosh u du to solve.
Dr. Isaac Azure (Department of Mathematics) Applications of Integration July 15, 2025 9 / 13
Surface Area of a Solid of Revolution
Formula (Rotated about x-axis)
s 2
Z b
dy
SA = 2π f (x) 1+ dx
a dx
Dr. Isaac Azure (Department of Mathematics) Applications of Integration July 15, 2025 10 / 13
Example 4: Surface Area
Find the surface area when f (x) = x, x ∈ [0, 1], rotated about x-axis
1
1 1 √ √ x2 √
Z Z
dy p
2
= 1 ⇒ SA = 2π x 1 + 1 dx = 2π x 2dx = 2π 2 =π 2
dx 0 0 2 0
Dr. Isaac Azure (Department of Mathematics) Applications of Integration July 15, 2025 11 / 13
Summary
Area between curves gives regions bounded vertically or horizontally.
Volumes calculated via disk or washer method for solids of revolution.
Arc length helps determine the length of curved paths.
Surface area measures the outer shell of a rotated curve.
Remember:
Use diagrams where possible, and always sketch functions to set correct
limits.
Dr. Isaac Azure (Department of Mathematics) Applications of Integration July 15, 2025 12 / 13
Thank You!
Questions or Clarifications?
Dr. Isaac Azure (Department of Mathematics) Applications of Integration July 15, 2025 13 / 13
