1. What is the area of the region enclosed by the graphs of \( f(x) = x + 2 \) and \( g(x) = x^3 - 4x^2 + 6 \)?






Answer is: option3

\( \dfrac{253}{12} \)

Solution:

1. Find the Points of Intersection

Set \( f(x) = g(x) \):

\( x + 2 = x^3 - 4x^2 + 6 \)

Rearrange:

\( x^3 - 4x^2 - x + 4 = 0 \)

Factor the equation:

\( (x - 1)(x^2 - 3x - 4) = 0 \Rightarrow (x - 1)(x - 4)(x + 1) = 0 \)

The points of intersection are at \( x = -1, x = 1, \) and \( x = 4 \).

2. Determine Which Function is Above the Other in the Interval

Evaluate \( f(x) \) and \( g(x) \) at a test point within each interval:

  • For \( x \in [-1, 1] \), let \( x = 0 \):
    \( f(0) = 2, \quad g(0) = 6 \Rightarrow g(x) > f(x) \)
  • For \( x \in [1, 4] \), let \( x = 2 \):
    \( f(2) = 4, \quad g(2) = 2 \Rightarrow f(x) > g(x) \)

3. Set Up the Integrals

The area \( A \) is the sum of the absolute differences between the functions over the intervals where they intersect:

\( A = \int_{-1}^{1} [g(x) - f(x)] \, dx + \int_{1}^{4} [f(x) - g(x)] \, dx \)

Substitute the functions:

\( A = \int_{-1}^{1} (x^3 - 4x^2 - x + 4) \, dx + \int_{1}^{4} (-x^3 + 4x^2 + x - 4) \, dx \)

Add the two results:

\( A = \dfrac{64}{12} + \dfrac{189}{12} = \dfrac{253}{12} \)

Final Answer: \( \boxed{\dfrac{253}{12}} \)

Option C

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