Analyzing the Setup
Imagine you are standing on the Cartesian plane. You see a curve, y=f(x), dancing between the axes. The problem provides two vital clues: it hits the x-axis at x=2 and the y-axis at y=0.
In the language of functions, these are not just points; they are boundary conditions. The x-intercept at 2 tells us that f(2)=0, and the y-intercept at 0 tells us that f(0)=0.
These two points are the anchors of our journey. We do not know the shape of the curve, but we know exactly where it starts and where it ends.
The Area Constraint
Now, look at the space trapped between the curve and the x-axis. The problem states this area is 43 square units.
Mathematically, this is expressed as the definite integral:
This is our treasure map. We do not need to know the function f(x) itself; we only need to know how it behaves under the integral sign.
The Integration by Parts Strategy
We are asked to evaluate the integral:
Whenever you see a product of a polynomial and a derivative inside an integral, your intuition should immediately suggest Integration by Parts. The formula is ∫udv=uv−∫vdu.
We choose u=x and dv=f′(x)dx. This is a strategic choice because differentiating u=x yields du=dx, which simplifies the integral, while integrating dv=f′(x)dx yields v=f(x), returning us to the function we know.
The Vanishing Boundary
Let us apply the formula:
Now, consider the first term, [xf(x)]02. This evaluates to 2f(2)−0f(0).
Recall our anchors from the beginning: f(2)=0 and f(0)=0. The entire boundary term becomes 2(0)−0(0)=0. It vanishes!
The Final Reveal
We are left with the simplified expression:
Since we already know that ∫02f(x)dx=43, we substitute this value into our equation.
Therefore, the final result is:
This is the essence of advanced mathematics: identifying the right tool, respecting the boundary conditions, and trusting the process.