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These resources have been reviewed and selected by STEM Learning’s team of education specialists for factual accuracy and relevance to teaching STEM subjects in UK schools.
Finding the Area Bounded Between the x Axis and a Parabola
Given a quadratic graph which cuts the x axis at two points, the mathematical solution explains how to find the area bounded between the curve and the x axis. The points of intersection with the x axis are located by equating the function to zero, factorising and solving the resulting equation. The required region is then found by integrating the function between appropriate limits.
The minimum value of the function is then found, using two different methods: completing the square and differentiating and equating to zero.
The graphical solution explains how to use the graphic calculator to verify the solutions by finding the points on the graph where the graph cuts the axis, calculating the required area and finding the minimum value.
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