Theory
Calculating the area under a graph with a rectangle
The area under a graph can have a physical meaning, depending on the axes.
If the graph section is a rectangle, you only need the width and height.
Use: area = width × height.
- Read the width and heightTake the width and height of the rectangular graph section from the problem.
- Multiply the width and heightWork out the formula using the values from the problem.
A graph is horizontal over an interval of 4 s at height 12. Calculate the area under this section of the graph.
- Read the width and heightWidth = 4. Height = 12.
- Multiply the width and height4 × 12 = 48.