Chapter 5: Problem 39
Use a definite integral to find the area under each curve between the given \(x\) -values. For Exercises 19-24, also make a sketch of the curve showing the region. \(f(x)=e^{x / 2}\) from \(x=0\) to \(x=2\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The area is \(2(e - 1)\).
Step by step solution
01
Setup the Definite Integral
To find the area under the curve of the function \(f(x) = e^{x/2}\) from \(x = 0\) to \(x = 2\), we express this as a definite integral: \[ \int_{0}^{2} e^{x/2} \, dx \] This integral will calculate the total area under the curve between the specified \(x\)-values.
02
Integrate the Function
Determine the antiderivative of \(e^{x/2}\). The antiderivative is found by considering the substitution \(u = \frac{x}{2}\), which gives \(du = \frac{1}{2}dx\) or \(dx = 2du\). Substituting, we have \[ \int e^{x/2} \, dx = 2 \int e^u \, du = 2e^u + C = 2e^{x/2} + C \] This is the antiderivative of \(e^{x/2}\) with respect to \(x\).
03
Apply the Definite Integral
Now, apply the limits of integration from \(0\) to \(2\):\[ \int_{0}^{2} e^{x/2} \, dx = \left[ 2e^{x/2} \right]_{0}^{2} \] Substitute the upper limit and the lower limit into the antiderivative and find the difference.
04
Calculate the Area
Substitute \(x = 2\) into the antiderivative: \[ 2e^{2/2} = 2e^{1} = 2e \]Substitute \(x = 0\) into the antiderivative: \[ 2e^{0/2} = 2e^{0} = 2 \times 1 = 2 \] Now find the area by calculating the difference: \[ 2e - 2 \] This simplifies to \( 2(e - 1) \).
05
Sketch the Curve
To sketch the function, plot \(f(x) = e^{x/2}\) on a coordinate grid for the range \(x = 0\) to \(x = 2\). The curve starts at \(e^0 = 1\) at \(x = 0\) and increases gradually to \(e\) at \(x = 2\). Shade the area under the curve from \(x = 0\) to \(x = 2\) to represent the region whose area we computed.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Area under a curve
When you talk about finding the area under a curve, you are essentially trying to calculate the space between the curve of a function and the x-axis within specified limits. This is useful in various applications such as determining the total accumulation of a quantity at a given point, like distance, energy, or mass.
Let’s break down how you can calculate this area for the function given: \( f(x) = e^{x/2} \) between \( x = 0 \) and \( x = 2 \).
Let’s break down how you can calculate this area for the function given: \( f(x) = e^{x/2} \) between \( x = 0 \) and \( x = 2 \).
- Firstly, you express this calculation as a definite integral: \( \int_{0}^{2} e^{x/2} \, dx \).
- The definite integral takes care of summing up all the tiny slices or sections of area under the curve across the specified range.
- This sum provides the exact area under the curve, within the limits.
Antiderivatives
An antiderivative, also known as an indefinite integral, is essentially the reverse of taking a derivative. When you find an antiderivative, you are looking for a function whose derivative will give you the original function.
In the context of the given problem, you needed to find the antiderivative of \( e^{x/2} \) to solve the definite integral.
In the context of the given problem, you needed to find the antiderivative of \( e^{x/2} \) to solve the definite integral.
- To track back to the antiderivative of \( e^{x/2} \), a substitution method is often utilized.
- You use a substitution such as \( u = \frac{x}{2} \) which simplifies the integration process.
- This leads you to a more basic integral with respect to \( u \), namely \( 2 \int e^u \, du \).
Exponential Functions
Exponential functions are a crucial part of calculus and mathematical analysis, representing continuous growth or decay. These functions have the form \( f(x) = a^{g(x)} \), where a is a positive constant. In our example, \( f(x) = e^{x/2} \), the base of the exponential function is \( e \), the exponential constant approximately equal to 2.71828.
Exponential functions pose some interesting properties:
Exponential functions pose some interesting properties:
- They are continuously increasing (if the exponent is positive) or decreasing (if the exponent is negative).
- They are used extensively to model real-life phenomena like population growth, radioactive decay, and even in financial calculations for compound interest.
- In the function \( e^{x/2} \), the growth rate depends on the variable \( \frac{x}{2} \), modifying how quickly or slowly the function grows.