Using integrals, find the area of the circle x^2 + y^2 = 1 ?

1 Answer
May 17, 2018

Using polar coordinates:
x= rho cos theta
y= rho sin theta

we have to integrate for 0<=rho <=1 and 0 <= theta <= 2pi, so:

S = int_0^1int_0^(2pi) rho d rho d theta

S = int_0^1 rho d rho int_0^(2pi) d theta

S = 2pi int_0^1 rho d rho

S = 2pi [rho^2/2]_0^1

S = pi

Alternatively we have that for x,y >=0:

x^2+y^2 = 1

y=sqrt(1-x^2)

For symmetry reasons:

S = 4int_0^1 sqrt(1-x^2)dx

substitute:

x = sint with t in [0,pi/2]

dx = cost dt

As in the interval the cosine is positive:

sqrt(1-x^2) = sqrt(1-sin^2t) = sqrt(cos^2t) = cost

So:

S = 4int_0^(pi/2) cos^2tdt

S = 4int_0^(pi/2) (1+cos(2t))/2dt

S = 2int_0^(pi/2) dt + 2int_0^(pi/2)cos(2t)dt

S = 2[t]_0^(pi/2) + [sin2t]_0^(pi/2)

S = 2(pi/2-0) + sinpi-sin0 = pi