Using integration, find the area of the region bounded by the triangle whose vertices are (−1,2), (1,5) and (3,4).
Answer:4 square units
Solution
Label A(−1,2), B(1,5), C(3,4). Equation of AB: y=23x+7; equation of BC: y=211−x; equation of AC: y=2x+5. With AC as the lower edge over x∈[−1,3], upper edge AB for −1≤x≤1 then BC for 1≤x≤3:
A=∫−1123x+7dx+∫13211−xdx−∫−132x+5dx.
=21[14+22−28]=21(8)=4.
Hence the area of the triangle is 4 square units.Triangle A(-1, 2), B(1, 5), C(3, 4) with feet L, M, N dropped onto the x-axis.