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Evaluating a semicircle integral geometrically

Consider the function f(x)=4−(x−2)2f(x) = \sqrt{4-(x-2)^2} on the interval [0,4][0,4].

∫044−(x−2)2 dx\int_0^4 \sqrt{4-(x-2)^2}\, dx

By rewriting y=4−(x−2)2y = \sqrt{4-(x-2)^2} as (x−2)2+y2=4(x-2)^2 + y^2 = 4 with y≥0y \geq 0, recognize the region bounded by f(x)f(x) and the xx-axis on [0,4][0,4] as a familiar geometric shape.

Evaluating a semicircle integral geometrically graph

Using an appropriate area formula, evaluate the integral ∫044−(x−2)2 dx\int_0^4 \sqrt{4-(x-2)^2}\, dx.

Hint

Identify what curve y=4−(x−2)2y = \sqrt{4-(x-2)^2} traces (think about squaring both sides), determine its center and radius, and note that the integral only covers the upper half of that curve. The definite integral equals the area of that region since f(x)≥0f(x) \geq 0 on [0,4][0,4].

Step-by-step solution

Squaring both sides of y=4−(x−2)2y=\sqrt{4-(x-2)^2} gives (x−2)2+y2=4(x-2)^2+y^2=4, which is a circle centered at (2,0)(2,0) with radius 22. Since y=4−(x−2)2≥0y=\sqrt{4-(x-2)^2}\ge 0, the graph is only the upper half of this circle, i.e., a semicircle sitting on the xx-axis. The interval [0,4][0,4] matches exactly the diameter of this circle (from x=0x=0 to x=4x=4), so the region under f(x)f(x) on [0,4][0,4] is precisely this upper semicircular region.

The area of a full circle of radius 22 is πr2=4π\pi r^2 = 4\pi, so the area of the upper semicircle is half of that: 2π2\pi. Since f(x)≥0f(x)\ge 0 on [0,4][0,4], the definite integral equals this area directly, giving ∫044−(x−2)2 dx=2π\int_0^4 \sqrt{4-(x-2)^2}\,dx = 2\pi.

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