Question

Estimate the area of the irregular shape. Explain your method and show your work. (Please help, I’ve been stuck on this problem for forever.)

Answer 1

Approximately divide the region into 10 vertical strips, each with width of about 1.  Next, estimate the y-coordinates of the top and bottom of each strip of this region.  For example, the 1st strip stretches from approx. 2 1/4 at the bottom to approx. 2 1/4 at the top, so the total length of this strip is about 4 1/2.  Since the area is (width)(height), and the width is approx. 1, the area is (4 1/2)(1) = 4 1/2.

2. Approximate the area of each of the remaining 9 strips.

3.  Sum up your 10 approx. areas.