Sketch the graph y = |x + 3|. Evaluate . What does this integral represent on the graph?
Given equations are:
y = |x + 3|
y1 = x + 3, if x + 3 ≥ 0
y1 = x + 3 …… (1), if x ≥ - 3
And y2 = - (x + 3), if x + 3 < 0
y2 = - (x + 3) …… (2), if x < - 3
So, equation (1) is straight line that passes thorough ( - 3,0) and (0,3). Equation (2) is a line passing through ( - 3,0). So, the graph of which is as follows:
(As x is between ( - 6, - 3) in first shaded region equation becomes as y2 and when x is between ( - 3,0) for the second shaded region equation becomes y1)
(from equation (2))
Now integrating by applying power rule, we get
Now applying the limits we get
Hence the value of represents the area of the shaded region (as shown in the graph) and is equal to 9 square units.