Find the area contained by y=sinx from x = 0 to x = 3π/2.
Figure 13.13 illustrates the required area. From this we see that there are parts both above and below the x axis and the crossover point occurs when x = π.
∫0πsinx dx∫π3π/2sinx dx=[−cosx]0π=−cosπ+cos0=2=[−cosx]π3π/2=−cos(23π)+cosπ=−1
The total area is 3 square units. Note, however, that the single integral over 0 to 3π/2 evaluates to 1; that is, it gives the net value of 2 and −1.
∫03π/2sinx dx=[−cosx]03π/2=−cos(23π)+cos0=1