Area of region with line boundary

Questions finding the area of a region bounded by a polar curve, the initial line, and one or more half-lines θ=constant, often involving integration.

51 questions · Challenging +1.1

4.09c Area enclosed: by polar curve
Sort by: Default | Easiest first | Hardest first
CAIE FP1 2017 Specimen Q11 OR
Standard +0.8
The curve \(C\) has polar equation \(r = a ( 1 - \cos \theta )\) for \(0 \leqslant \theta < 2 \pi\).
  1. Sketch \(C\).
  2. Find the area of the region enclosed by the arc of \(C\) for which \(\frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi \leqslant \theta \leqslant \frac { 3 } { 2 } \pi\), the half-line \(\theta = \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\) and the half-line \(\theta = \frac { 3 } { 2 } \pi\).
  3. Show that $$\left( \frac { \mathrm { d } s } { \mathrm {~d} \theta } \right) ^ { 2 } = 4 a ^ { 2 } \sin ^ { 2 } \left( \frac { 1 } { 2 } \theta \right)$$ where \(s\) denotes arc length, and find the length of the arc of \(C\) for which \(\frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi \leqslant \theta \leqslant \frac { 3 } { 2 } \pi\).
CAIE FP1 2011 November Q10
13 marks Challenging +1.2
10 The curve \(C\) has polar equation \(r = 3 + 2 \cos \theta\), for \(- \pi < \theta \leqslant \pi\). The straight line \(l\) has polar equation \(r \cos \theta = 2\). Sketch both \(C\) and \(l\) on a single diagram. Find the polar coordinates of the points of intersection of \(C\) and \(l\). The region \(R\) is enclosed by \(C\) and \(l\), and contains the pole. Find the area of \(R\).
CAIE FP1 2012 November Q5
6 marks Standard +0.3
5 The curve \(C\) has polar equation \(r = 1 + 2 \cos \theta\). Sketch the curve for \(- \frac { 2 } { 3 } \pi \leqslant \theta < \frac { 2 } { 3 } \pi\). Find the area bounded by \(C\) and the half-lines \(\theta = - \frac { 1 } { 3 } \pi , \theta = \frac { 1 } { 3 } \pi\).
CAIE FP1 2013 November Q1
5 marks Standard +0.3
1 The curve \(C\) has polar equation \(r = 2 \mathrm { e } ^ { \theta }\), for \(\frac { 1 } { 6 } \pi \leqslant \theta \leqslant \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\). Find
  1. the area of the region bounded by the half-lines \(\theta = \frac { 1 } { 6 } \pi , \theta = \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\) and \(C\),
  2. the length of \(C\).
AQA FP3 2008 January Q2
9 marks Challenging +1.2
2 The diagram shows a sketch of part of the curve \(C\) whose polar equation is \(r = 1 + \tan \theta\). The point \(O\) is the pole. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{0c177d90-02ae-4e91-bc9d-d0c7051799b8-3_561_629_406_772} The points \(P\) and \(Q\) on the curve are given by \(\theta = 0\) and \(\theta = \frac { \pi } { 3 }\) respectively.
  1. Show that the area of the region bounded by the curve \(C\) and the lines \(O P\) and \(O Q\) is $$\frac { 1 } { 2 } \sqrt { 3 } + \ln 2$$ (6 marks)
  2. Hence find the area of the shaded region bounded by the line \(P Q\) and the arc \(P Q\) of \(C\).
AQA FP3 2010 January Q8
16 marks Challenging +1.2
8 The diagram shows a sketch of a curve \(C\) and a line \(L\), which is parallel to the initial line and touches the curve at the points \(P\) and \(Q\). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{32de7ef6-b7aa-4bfd-a73a-e12bfc0147e2-5_506_762_447_639} The polar equation of the curve \(C\) is $$r = 4 ( 1 - \sin \theta ) , \quad 0 \leqslant \theta < 2 \pi$$ and the polar equation of the line \(L\) is $$r \sin \theta = 1$$
  1. Show that the polar coordinates of \(P\) are \(\left( 2 , \frac { \pi } { 6 } \right)\) and find the polar coordinates of \(Q\).
  2. Find the area of the shaded region \(R\) bounded by the line \(L\) and the curve \(C\). Give your answer in the form \(m \sqrt { 3 } + n \pi\), where \(m\) and \(n\) are integers.
AQA FP3 2008 June Q8
14 marks Challenging +1.2
8 The polar equation of a curve \(C\) is $$r = 5 + 2 \cos \theta , \quad - \pi \leqslant \theta \leqslant \pi$$
  1. Verify that the points \(A\) and \(B\), with polar coordinates ( 7,0 ) and ( \(3 , \pi\) ) respectively, lie on the curve \(C\).
  2. Sketch the curve \(C\).
  3. Find the area of the region bounded by the curve \(C\).
  4. The point \(P\) is the point on the curve \(C\) for which \(\theta = \alpha\), where \(0 < \alpha \leqslant \frac { \pi } { 2 }\). The point \(Q\) lies on the curve such that \(P O Q\) is a straight line, where the point \(O\) is the pole. Find, in terms of \(\alpha\), the area of triangle \(O Q B\).
AQA FP3 2016 June Q8
17 marks Challenging +1.2
8 The diagram shows the sketch of part of a curve, the pole \(O\) and the initial line. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{0b9b947d-824b-4d3a-b66d-4bfd8d49be17-20_609_670_358_703} The polar equation of the curve is \(r = 1 + \tan \theta\).
The point \(A\) is the point on the curve at which \(\theta = \frac { \pi } { 3 }\).
The perpendicular, \(A N\), from \(A\) to the initial line intersects the curve at the point \(B\).
  1. Find the exact length of \(O A\).
    1. Given that, at the point \(B , \theta = \alpha\), show that \(( \cos \alpha + \sin \alpha ) ^ { 2 } = 1 + \frac { \sqrt { 3 } } { 2 }\).
    2. Hence, or otherwise, find \(\alpha\) in terms of \(\pi\).
  2. Show that the area of triangle \(O A B\) is \(\frac { 3 + 2 \sqrt { 3 } } { 6 }\).
  3. Find, in an exact simplified form, the area of the shaded region bounded by the curve and the line segment \(A B\).
    [0pt] [7 marks]
    \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{0b9b947d-824b-4d3a-b66d-4bfd8d49be17-23_2488_1709_219_153}
    \section*{DO NOT WRITE ON THIS PAGE ANSWER IN THE SPACES PROVIDED}
Edexcel CP1 Specimen Q4
9 marks Challenging +1.2
4. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{3b36bdc3-a68d-4982-bf23-f780773df5cc-08_492_1063_214_502} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1}
\end{figure} The curve \(C\) shown in Figure 1 has polar equation $$r = 4 + \cos 2 \theta \quad 0 \leqslant \theta \leqslant \frac { \pi } { 2 }$$ At the point \(A\) on \(C\), the value of \(r\) is \(\frac { 9 } { 2 }\) The point \(N\) lies on the initial line and \(A N\) is perpendicular to the initial line.
The finite region \(R\), shown shaded in Figure 1, is bounded by the curve \(C\), the initial line and the line \(A N\). Find the exact area of the shaded region \(R\), giving your answer in the form \(p \pi + q \sqrt { 3 }\) where \(p\) and \(q\) are rational numbers to be found.
Edexcel CP2 2023 June Q1
4 marks Challenging +1.8
1. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{59a57888-8aa8-4ed8-b704-ebf3980c0344-02_300_1006_242_532} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1}
\end{figure} Figure 1 shows a sketch of the curve with polar equation $$r = 2 \sqrt { \sinh \theta + \cosh \theta } \quad 0 \leqslant \theta \leqslant \pi$$ The region \(R\), shown shaded in Figure 1, is bounded by the initial line, the curve and the line with equation \(\theta = \pi\) Use algebraic integration to determine the exact area of \(R\) giving your answer in the form \(p \mathrm { e } ^ { q } - r\) where \(p , q\) and \(r\) are real numbers to be found.
AQA Further Paper 2 2021 June Q9
14 marks Challenging +1.8
9
  1. The line \(L\) has polar equation $$r = \frac { 7 } { 4 } \sec \theta \quad \left( - \frac { \pi } { 2 } < \theta < \frac { \pi } { 2 } \right)$$ Show that \(L\) is perpendicular to the initial line.
    9
  2. The curve \(C\) has polar equation $$r = 3 + \cos \theta \quad ( - \pi < \theta \leq \pi )$$ Find the polar coordinates of the points of intersection of \(L\) and \(C\) Fully justify your answer.
    9
  3. The region \(R\) is the set of points such that
    and $$r > \frac { 7 } { 4 } \sec \theta$$ Find the exact area of \(R\) $$r < 3 + \cos \theta$$ Find the exact area of \(R\) [0pt] [7 marks]
CAIE FP1 2015 November Q11 OR
Standard +0.8
The curve \(C\) has polar equation \(r = a ( 1 - \cos \theta )\) for \(0 \leqslant \theta < 2 \pi\). Sketch \(C\). Find the area of the region enclosed by the arc of \(C\) for which \(\frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi \leqslant \theta \leqslant \frac { 3 } { 2 } \pi\), the half-line \(\theta = \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\) and the half-line \(\theta = \frac { 3 } { 2 } \pi\). Show that $$\left( \frac { \mathrm { d } s } { \mathrm {~d} \theta } \right) ^ { 2 } = 4 a ^ { 2 } \sin ^ { 2 } \left( \frac { 1 } { 2 } \theta \right) ,$$ where \(s\) denotes arc length, and find the length of the arc of \(C\) for which \(\frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi \leqslant \theta \leqslant \frac { 3 } { 2 } \pi\). {www.cie.org.uk} after the live examination series.
}
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/1 2014 June Q11
9 marks Challenging +1.2
11 A curve has polar equation \(r = \mathrm { e } ^ { \sin \theta }\) for \(- \pi < \theta \leqslant \pi\).
  1. State the polar coordinates of the point where the curve crosses the initial line.
  2. State also the polar coordinates of the points where \(r\) takes its least and greatest values.
  3. Sketch the curve.
  4. By deriving a suitable Maclaurin series up to and including the term in \(\theta ^ { 2 }\), find an approximation, to 3 decimal places, for the area of the region enclosed by the curve, the initial line and the line \(\theta = 0.3\).
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/1 2017 June Q3
6 marks Standard +0.8
3
  1. Sketch the curve with polar equation \(r = \frac { 1 } { 1 + \theta } , 0 \leqslant \theta \leqslant 2 \pi\).
  2. Find, in terms of \(\pi\), the area of the region enclosed by the curve and the part of the initial line between the endpoints of the curve.
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/1 Specimen Q8
7 marks Standard +0.8
8 The curve \(C\) has polar equation \(r = \theta ^ { 2 } + 2 \theta\) for \(0 \leq \theta \leq 3\).
  1. Find the area of the region enclosed by \(C\) and the half-lines \(\theta = 0\) and \(\theta = 3\).
  2. Determine the length of \(C\).
Pre-U Pre-U 9795/1 Specimen Q4
14 marks Standard +0.3
4
  1. Draw a sketch of the curve \(C\) whose polar equation is \(r = \theta\), for \(0 \leqslant \theta \leqslant \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\).
  2. On the same diagram draw the line \(\theta = \alpha\), where \(0 < \alpha < \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\). The region bounded by \(C\) and the line \(\theta = \frac { 1 } { 2 } \pi\) is denoted by \(R\).
  3. Find the exact value of \(\alpha\) for which the line \(\theta = \alpha\) divides \(R\) into two regions of equal area.
CAIE FP1 2015 November Q11
28 marks Challenging +1.8
Answer only one of the following two alternatives. EITHER The points \(A\), \(B\) and \(C\) have position vectors \(\mathbf{i}\), \(2\mathbf{j}\) and \(4\mathbf{k}\) respectively, relative to an origin \(O\). The point \(N\) is the foot of the perpendicular from \(O\) to the plane \(ABC\). The point \(P\) on the line-segment \(ON\) is such that \(OP = \frac{3}{4}ON\). The line \(AP\) meets the plane \(OBC\) at \(Q\). Find a vector perpendicular to the plane \(ABC\) and show that the length of \(ON\) is \(\frac{1}{\sqrt{(21)}}\). [4] Find the position vector of the point \(Q\). [5] Show that the acute angle between the planes \(ABC\) and \(ABQ\) is \(\cos^{-1}\left(\frac{4}{5}\right)\). [5] OR The curve \(C\) has polar equation \(r = a(1 - \cos\theta)\) for \(0 \leqslant \theta < 2\pi\). Sketch \(C\). [2] Find the area of the region enclosed by the arc of \(C\) for which \(\frac{1}{3}\pi \leqslant \theta \leqslant \frac{2}{3}\pi\), the half-line \(\theta = \frac{1}{3}\pi\) and the half-line \(\theta = \frac{2}{3}\pi\). [5] Show that $$\left(\frac{\mathrm{d}s}{\mathrm{d}\theta}\right)^2 = 4a^2\sin^2\left(\frac{1}{2}\theta\right),$$ where \(s\) denotes arc length, and find the length of the arc of \(C\) for which \(\frac{1}{3}\pi \leqslant \theta \leqslant \frac{2}{3}\pi\). [7]
CAIE FP1 2018 November Q9
10 marks Standard +0.8
The curve \(C\) has polar equation $$r = 5\sqrt{\cot \theta},$$ where \(0.01 \leqslant \theta \leqslant \frac{1}{2}\pi\).
  1. Find the area of the finite region bounded by \(C\) and the line \(\theta = 0.01\), showing full working. Give your answer correct to \(1\) decimal place. [3]
Let \(P\) be the point on \(C\) where \(\theta = 0.01\).
  1. Find the distance of \(P\) from the initial line, giving your answer correct to \(1\) decimal place. [2]
  2. Find the maximum distance of \(C\) from the initial line. [3]
  3. Sketch \(C\). [2]
Edexcel FP2 Q28
16 marks Challenging +1.8
  1. Sketch the curve with polar equation $$r = 3 \cos 2\theta, \quad -\frac{\pi}{4} \leq \theta < \frac{\pi}{4}.$$ [2]
  2. Find the area of the smaller finite region enclosed between the curve and the half-line \(\theta = \frac{\pi}{6}\). [6]
  3. Find the exact distance between the two tangents which are parallel to the initial line. [8]
OCR FP2 2009 January Q7
8 marks Challenging +1.3
\includegraphics{figure_7} The diagram shows the curve with equation, in polar coordinates, $$r = 3 + 2\cos \theta, \quad \text{for } 0 \leq \theta < 2\pi.$$ The points \(P\), \(Q\), \(R\) and \(S\) on the curve are such that the straight lines \(POR\) and \(QOS\) are perpendicular, where \(O\) is the pole. The point \(P\) has polar coordinates \((r, \alpha)\).
  1. Show that \(OP + OQ + OR + OS = k\), where \(k\) is a constant to be found. [3]
  2. Given that \(\alpha = \frac{1}{4}\pi\), find the exact area bounded by the curve and the lines \(OP\) and \(OQ\) (shaded in the diagram). [5]
OCR MEI FP2 2011 January Q1
19 marks Standard +0.3
  1. A curve has polar equation \(r = 2(\cos \theta + \sin \theta)\) for \(-\frac{1}{4}\pi \leq \theta \leq \frac{3}{4}\pi\).
    1. Show that a cartesian equation of the curve is \(x^2 + y^2 = 2x + 2y\). Hence or otherwise sketch the curve. [5]
    2. Find, by integration, the area of the region bounded by the curve and the lines \(\theta = 0\) and \(\theta = \frac{1}{2}\pi\). Give your answer in terms of \(\pi\). [7]
    1. Given that \(f(x) = \arctan(\frac{1}{2}x)\), find \(f'(x)\). [2]
    2. Expand \(f'(x)\) in ascending powers of \(x\) as far as the term in \(x^4\). Hence obtain an expression for \(f(x)\) in ascending powers of \(x\) as far as the term in \(x^5\). [5]
AQA Further Paper 1 2024 June Q16
9 marks Challenging +1.8
The curve \(C\) has polar equation \(r = 2 + \tan \theta\) The curve \(C\) meets the line \(\theta = \frac{\pi}{4}\) at the point \(A\) The point \(B\) has polar coordinates \((4, 0)\) The diagram shows part of the curve \(C\), and the points \(A\) and \(B\) \includegraphics{figure_16}
  1. Show that the area of triangle \(OAB\) is \(3\sqrt{2}\) units. [2 marks]
  2. Find the area of the shaded region. Give your answer in an exact form. [7 marks]
AQA Further Paper 2 Specimen Q11
8 marks Challenging +1.8
The diagram shows a sketch of a curve \(C\), the pole \(O\) and the initial line. \includegraphics{figure_11} The polar equation of \(C\) is \(r = 4 + 2\cos \theta\), \quad \(-\pi \leq \theta \leq \pi\)
  1. Show that the area of the region bounded by the curve \(C\) is \(18\pi\) [4 marks]
  2. Points \(A\) and \(B\) lie on the curve \(C\) such that \(-\frac{\pi}{2} < \theta < \frac{\pi}{2}\) and \(AOB\) is an equilateral triangle. Find the polar equation of the line segment \(AB\) [4 marks]
WJEC Further Unit 4 Specimen Q3
5 marks Standard +0.8
The curve \(C\) has polar equation \(r = 3(2 + \cos \theta)\), \(0 \leq \theta \leq \pi\). Determine the area enclosed between \(C\) and the initial line. Give your answer in the form \(\frac{a}{b}\pi\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are positive integers whose values are to be found. [5]
SPS SPS FM Pure 2023 November Q7
Challenging +1.8
    1. Show on an Argand diagram the locus of points given by the values of \(z\) satisfying $$|z - 4 - 3i| = 5$$ Taking the initial line as the positive real axis with the pole at the origin and given that $$\theta \in [\alpha, \alpha + \pi], \text{ where } \alpha = -\arctan\left(\frac{4}{3}\right),$$
    2. show that this locus of points can be represented by the polar curve with equation $$r = 8\cos\theta + 6\sin\theta$$ (6) The set of points \(A\) is defined by $$A = \left\{z : 0 \leqslant \arg z \leqslant \frac{\pi}{3}\right\} \cap \{z : |z - 4 - 3i| \leqslant 5\}$$
    1. Show, by shading on your Argand diagram, the set of points \(A\).
    2. Find the exact area of the region defined by \(A\), giving your answer in simplest form. (7)