Area between a curve and and the _-axis | AP Calculus AB | Khan Academy

Khan Academy
1 Aug 201703:49
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn this instructional video, the focus is on calculating the area between the curve y=15/x and the y-axis, bounded by y=e and y=e^3. The instructor adeptly demonstrates how to approach this problem by treating it as a definite integral, cleverly switching the perspective from the x-axis to the y-axis. By rewriting the function in terms of x as 15/y, the instructor guides the viewer through the process of evaluating the integral, using the antiderivative of 1/y to find the natural log of the absolute value of y. The final calculation involves evaluating the natural log at the bounds, resulting in a simple and elegant solution of 15 times the difference between the natural logs of e and e^3.

Takeaways
  • πŸ“ˆ The video discusses finding the area between a curve and the y-axis, bounded by two y-values, rather than the traditional x-values.
  • πŸ”’ The function in question is y = 15/x, and the focus is on the positive values of x.
  • πŸ“Œ The bounds for the area calculation are y = e (bottom bound) and y = e^3 (upper bound).
  • πŸŒ€ The problem is approached by rewriting the function in terms of x, resulting in x = 15/y.
  • πŸ–ΌοΈ The concept of estimating area using rectangles with width 15/y and height dy is introduced.
  • 🧩 The area is found by summing these rectangles from y = e to y = e^3, similar to the process for definite integrals.
  • πŸ“š The antiderivative of 15/y is used to calculate the area, which is 15 times the natural log of the absolute value of y.
  • πŸ“ˆ The area calculation involves evaluating the natural log function at the endpoints y = e^3 and y = e.
  • πŸ”’ The final result is obtained by calculating 15 times the difference of the natural logs of e^3 and e, which simplifies to 15 times 3 - 15, resulting in 30 - 15.
  • πŸŽ“ The video is an educational resource for understanding the concept of definite integrals and their application in different scenarios.
  • πŸ‘ The method demonstrated is a practical approach to problem-solving in calculus, showcasing the flexibility in applying the fundamental concepts.
Q & A
  • What is the function represented by the graph in the video?

    -The function represented by the graph is y = 15/x, for positive values of x.

  • What is the unique aspect of the area being calculated in this video?

    -The unique aspect is that the area is bounded by two y-values, rather than two x-values, with the curve and the y-axis.

  • How is the function y = 15/x rewritten in terms of x?

    -By multiplying both sides of the equation by x, we get xy = 15, and dividing both sides by y, we get x = 15/y.

  • What is the method used to estimate the area under the curve in this video?

    -The method used is similar to the concept of definite integrals, but instead of rectangles under the x-axis, we have rectangles along the y-axis with width 15/y and height dy.

  • What is the width of each rectangle in the estimation of the area?

    -The width of each rectangle is 15/y, where y is the value on the y-axis.

  • What is the height of each rectangle in the estimation of the area?

    -The height of each rectangle is a very small change in y, denoted as dy.

  • What is the integral expression used to calculate the area between the curve and the y-axis?

    -The integral expression is ∫(15/y dy) from y=e to y=e^3.

  • What is the antiderivative of 15/y?

    -The antiderivative of 15/y is 15 times the natural logarithm of the absolute value of y, or 15 ln|y|.

  • How is the area calculated using the antiderivative and the bounds y=e and y=e^3?

    -The area is calculated by evaluating 15 ln|y| at the upper bound e^3 and subtracting the value at the lower bound e, which simplifies to 15(3 - 1) = 30.

  • What is the final result of the area calculation?

    -The final result of the area calculation is 15 units squared, as 30 - 15 = 15.

  • How does this video demonstrate the flexibility of integral calculus?

    -This video demonstrates the flexibility of integral calculus by showing how it can be applied to find areas in non-standard configurations, such as being bounded by y-values instead of x-values.

Outlines
00:00
πŸ“Š Understanding Area Calculation with Integrals

The instructor introduces the concept of finding the area between a curve defined by the function y = 15/x and the y-axis, as opposed to the conventional approach of finding the area between a curve and the x-axis. This unique scenario involves calculating the area bounded by y-values, specifically between y = e and y = e^3. The method involves redefining the function in terms of y, leading to x = 15/y, which facilitates the calculation of the area of small rectangles that approximate the area under the curve when summed. The instructor then guides through the process of setting up and evaluating the definite integral from y = e to y = e^3, which involves integrating 15/y with respect to y. The evaluation reveals that the total area under the curve, between the specified bounds, is 45 minus 15, resulting in a total area of 30.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Graph
A graph is a visual representation used to display data and relationships between variables. In the video, the graph represents the function y = 15/x for positive values of x, which is a part of the mathematical exploration regarding areas and integrals.
πŸ’‘Function
A function is a mathematical relation that describes a set of ordered pairs where each element of one set (independent variable) is associated with one element of another set (dependent variable). In this context, y = 15/x is the function being analyzed.
πŸ’‘Area
Area refers to the amount of space enclosed within a two-dimensional shape. In the video, the area is being calculated between the curve of the function and the y-axis, bounded by specific y-values.
πŸ’‘Definite Integral
A definite integral is a fundamental concept in calculus that represents the signed area under a curve between two points on the x-axis. In the video, the concept is applied to find the area between the curve and the y-axis, demonstrating a variation of the typical application.
πŸ’‘Antiderivivative
An antiderivative, also known as an indefinite integral, is a function that represents the set of all functions that could be derivatives of a given function. In the context of the video, finding the antiderivative of 15/y is essential for calculating the area.
πŸ’‘Natural Logarithm
The natural logarithm, denoted as ln, is the logarithm to the base e (where e is the mathematical constant approximately equal to 2.71828). It is a key concept in mathematics and is used in various applications, including the calculation of areas under curves.
πŸ’‘Bounds
Bounds refer to the limits or constraints within which a variable or function is confined. In the video, the bounds are the specific y-values that define the interval over which the area is to be calculated.
πŸ’‘Rectangles
In the context of the video, rectangles are used to approximate the area under a curve through a method known as Riemann sums. By breaking the area into small rectangles, one can estimate the total area by summing the areas of these rectangles.
πŸ’‘dy
In differential calculus, dy represents an infinitesimally small change in the variable y. It is used in integral calculus to denote a small increment of the independent variable in the context of evaluating integrals.
πŸ’‘e
Euler's number (e) is a fundamental mathematical constant approximately equal to 2.718. It is the base of the natural logarithm and plays a crucial role in various mathematical applications, including the growth of exponential functions.
πŸ’‘e to the third power
Exponentiation is a mathematical operation that involves raising a number to a power. In this case, e to the third power (e^3) represents the number e raised to the third power, which is the upper bound for the area calculation in the video.
Highlights

The graph of the function y equals 15 over x is discussed, focusing on positive values of x.

The main goal is to find the area between the curve and the y-axis, bounded by y values of e and e to the third power.

The problem is analogous to finding areas under a curve with respect to the x-axis, but the focus is on the y-axis.

The function y equals 15 over x is rewritten in terms of x as xy equals 15, and x equals 15 over y.

The area estimation involves considering a series of rectangles, with width x (expressed as 15 over y) and height dy.

The area of each small rectangle is given by 15 over y times dy.

The definite integral sums the areas of these rectangles from y equals e to y equals e to the third power.

The antiderivative of 15 over y is 15 times the natural log of the absolute value of y.

The area is evaluated by finding the difference between the natural log of e to the third power and the natural log of e.

The natural log of e to the third power simplifies to three times the natural log of e.

The final calculation results in 15 times the difference between 3 (the exponent for e to the third power) and 1 (the exponent for e), which is 30 minus 15.

The result of the area calculation is 15 times the difference, leading to the final answer of 45 minus 15.

The problem-solving process demonstrates the application of definite integrals in calculating areas with unconventional bounds.

The explanation provides a clear and detailed walkthrough of the mathematical steps, making it accessible for learners.

The use of the natural log function and properties of exponents is a key aspect of solving this type of problem.

The video serves as an educational resource for understanding the concept of definite integrals and their application beyond the standard bounds.

Transcripts
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