What is the area bounded by $$y=x^3-7x^2+14x-8$$ and the x-axis in the interval $$[0,2]$$?
- Home
- >
- JEE Questions
- >
- JEE Mathematics Questions
- >
- Areas
JEE Areas Questions
Factor the polynomial to find where the curve meets the x axis:
$$y = x^3 - 7x^2 + 14x - 8$$
$$y = (x - 1)(x - 2)(x - 4)$$
The required interval goes from zero to two.
The roots of the polynomial inside this range are at $$x = 1$$ and $$x = 2$$.
The curve changes sign at $$x = 1$$:
- From zero to one the function is negative so we take the negative of the integral
- From one to two the function is positive so we take the standard integral
Set up the area calculation:
$$\text{Area} = -\int_0^1 (x^3 - 7x^2 + 14x - 8) \, dx + \int_1^2 (x^3 - 7x^2 + 14x - 8) \, dx$$
Find the antiderivative function:
$$F(x) = \frac{x^4}{4} - \frac{7x^3}{3} + 7x^2 - 8x$$
Evaluate the first integral from zero to one:
$$-\left( \frac{1}{4} - \frac{7}{3} + 7 - 8 \right) = -\left( \frac{3 - 28 - 12}{12} \right) = \frac{37}{12}$$
Evaluate the second integral from one to two:
$$\left( 4 - \frac{56}{3} + 28 - 16 \right) - \left( \frac{1}{4} - \frac{7}{3} + 7 - 8 \right) = \left( 16 - \frac{56}{3} \right) - \left( -\frac{37}{12} \right)$$
$$= -\frac{8}{3} + \frac{37}{12} = \frac{-32 + 37}{12} = \frac{5}{12}$$
Sum both portions to get the total area:
$$\text{Total Area} = \frac{37}{12} + \frac{5}{12} = \frac{42}{12} = \frac{7}{2}$$
The correct option is D.
Let $$A_{1}$$ be the bounded area enclosed by the curves $$y=x^{2}+2,x+y=8$$ and y-axis that lies in the first quadrant. Let $$A_{2}$$ be the bounded area enclosed by the curves $$y=x^{2}+2,y^{2}=x,x=2$$ and y-axis that lies in the first quadrant. Then $$A_{1}-A_{2}$$ is equal to
Given curves for $$A_1$$:
$$y = x^2 + 2, \quad x + y = 8 \implies y = 8 - x, \quad x = 0 \quad (\text{y-axis})$$
Finding the point of intersection of $$y = x^2 + 2$$ and $$y = 8 - x$$:
$$x^2 + 2 = 8 - x \implies x^2 + x - 6 = 0 \implies (x+3)(x-2) = 0 \implies x = 2 \quad (\text{since } x \ge 0)$$
$$A_1 = \int_{0}^{2} \left[ (8 - x) - (x^2 + 2) \right] dx = \int_{0}^{2} (6 - x - x^2) dx$$
$$A_1 = \left[ 6x - \frac{x^2}{2} - \frac{x^3}{3} \right]_{0}^{2} = 12 - 2 - \frac{8}{3} = 10 - \frac{8}{3} = \frac{22}{3}$$
Given curves for $$A_2$$:
$$y = x^2 + 2, \quad y^2 = x \implies y = \sqrt{x}, \quad x = 2, \quad x = 0$$
$$A_2 = \int_{0}^{2} \left[ (x^2 + 2) - \sqrt{x} \right] dx$$
$$A_2 = \left[ \frac{x^3}{3} + 2x - \frac{2}{3}x^{3/2} \right]_{0}^{2} = \frac{8}{3} + 4 - \frac{2}{3}(2\sqrt{2}) = \frac{20}{3} - \frac{4\sqrt{2}}{3}$$
$$A_1 - A_2 = \frac{22}{3} - \left( \frac{20}{3} - \frac{4\sqrt{2}}{3} \right) = \frac{2}{3} + \frac{4\sqrt{2}}{3} = \frac{2}{3}(2\sqrt{2} + 1)$$
Frequently Asked Questions
The Areas topic is part of Applications of Integrals. It deals with calculating the area enclosed by curves, straight lines, coordinate axes, and other boundaries using definite integration.
Important concepts include the area under a curve, area between two curves, intersection points, definite integrals, symmetry, piecewise integration, and choosing whether to integrate with respect to x or y.
JEE Main generally includes zero to one direct question from Areas or Applications of Integrals. The topic may contribute up to four marks when tested directly.
Yes. JEE Advanced may combine Areas with definite integration, coordinate geometry, functions, and inequalities. These questions often require students to identify boundaries and divide the region into multiple parts.
First, calculate the intersection points of the curves. When integrating with respect to x, subtract the lower curve from the upper curve. When integrating with respect to y, subtract the left boundary from the right boundary.
A rough graph helps identify the required region, intersection points, integration limits, and relative positions of the curves. It also shows whether the integral must be divided into multiple intervals.
Common mistakes include using incorrect limits, subtracting the curves in the wrong order, overlooking a change in sign, missing symmetry, and treating a negative definite integral as a negative geometric area.
Practise sketching standard curves, memorise important definite integration properties, calculate intersection points carefully, and use symmetry whenever possible. Solving previous-year questions also improves boundary identification and calculation speed.

