What is meant by the area under a curve?

1 Answer
Sep 13, 2015

See the explanation.

Explanation:

We say "the area under a curve", but we mean:

On the rectangular coordinate system, we mean the area under a curve and above the #x#-axis between two value of #x#. (And sometimes, "from one value of #x# to another").

Here is a picture of the are under #y=x^2# from #1# to #3#.

enter image source here

There are variations and complications when speaking to someone in Calculus.

(For example, people sometimes use "the area under the curve" to indicate the NEGATIVE of the area here:

enter image source here