The Anatomy of the Function
Welcome, future engineers! Today, we are going to dissect a problem that looks intimidating but is actually a masterclass in geometric intuition. We are dealing with the area enclosed by x+y=2, y=0, x=0, and the curve f(x)=min{x2+43,1+[x]}.
The key to solving this is to stop seeing it as one scary equation and start seeing it as a collection of simple, manageable shapes.
Phase 1
Deconstructing the Landscape
Let's look at f(x). The 'min' function is a filter that tells us to take the smaller of the two provided values at any point x.
For x∈[0,1), we know [x]=0. So, f(x)=min{x2+43,1}.
To find where these two meet, we set x2+43=1, which gives x2=41, or x=21. This means from x=0 to x=1/2, the parabola x2+43 is the 'floor', and from x=1/2 to x=1, the constant 1 is the 'floor'.
Phase 2
The Geometry of Constraints
This is where the JEE Advanced trap lies. The region is bounded by x+y=2, which can be rewritten as y=2−x.
In the interval [1,2], this line is decreasing from 1 to 0. Our function f(x) is at least 1.75 in this interval.
Since 2−x is always less than or equal to 1 in this interval, the line y=2−x is strictly below our curve f(x). Therefore, the line y=2−x becomes the upper boundary of our region for x∈[1,2].
Phase 3
The Calculus of Summation
Now, we simply sum the areas. We have three distinct regions to calculate:
Region 1 (0≤x≤1/2): The area under the parabola
x2+43.
A1=∫01/2(x2+43)dx=[3x3+43x]01/2=241+83=2410=125
Region 2 (1/2≤x≤1): The area under the constant line
y=1.
A2=∫1/211dx=[x]1/21=1−21=21=126
Region 3 (1≤x≤2): The area under the line
y=2−x.
A3=∫12(2−x)dx=[2x−2x2]12=(4−2)−(2−21)=2−23=21=126
The Grand Finale
Adding these up, the total area
A is:
A=125+126+126=1217
The question asks for 12A. Multiplying 1217 by 12 gives us the final result of 17.
By breaking the problem into logical, geometric pieces, we turned a complex function into a simple sum. Keep this mindset, and no integral will ever defeat you!