To get the area between the polar curve r=f(θ) and the polar
curve r=g(θ), we just subtract the area inside the inner curve
from the area inside the outer curve. If f(θ)≥g(θ),
this means 12∫baf(θ)2−g(θ)2dθ.
Note that this is NOT 12∫ba[f(θ)−g(θ)]2dθ!! You first square and then subtract,
not the other way around.
As with most ``area between two curves'' problems, the tricky thing is
figuring out the beginning and ending angles. This is typically where
f(θ)=g(θ).
In the following video, we compute the area inside the
cardioid r=1+sin(θ) and outside the circle r=12.
Example: Find the area inside the circle r=2cos(θ)
and outside the unit circle.
Solution: Here f(θ)=2cos(θ) and g(θ)=1.
These intersect when cos(θ)=1/2, i.e. at θ=±π/3.
That is, f(θ) is only bigger than g(θ) when −π/3<θ<π/3. Our area is then
12∫π/3−π/3[(2cos(θ))2−12]dθ=12∫π/3−π/31+2cos(2θ)dθ=12(θ+sin(2θ))|π/3−π/3=π3+√32.