Find the area of the region common to the circle x2 + y2 = 16 and the parabola y2 = 6x.

There are two equations,

x2 + y2 = 16 ...(i)


y2 = 6x ...(ii)


From (i) and (ii)


X2 + 6x = 16


Or, X2 + 6x – 16 = 0


Or, (x + 8)(x – 2) = 0


Or, x = – 8 or x = 2


And when x = 2 then y = ±2√3


Equation (i) represents a circle with centre (0,0) and radius 4 units, so it meets x - axis at (±4,0) and equation (ii) represents a parabola with vertex (0,) and axis as x - axis


Points of intersection of parabola and circle are (2,2√3) and (2, – 2√3).


The sketch of the two curves are drawn below,



The shaded region represents the required area.


Required area = Region OBCAO


Required area = 2 (region ODAO + region DCAD)










So, the required area is sq units.


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