Formula for area in a special occasion in polar coordinates.

I know that the area of a curve given in polar coordinates is $$\int_{\theta_1}^{\theta_2}\frac{r^2}{2}d\theta$$. But what is the area outside one curve and inside another, when one of them is not entirely inside the other? For example, what is the area inside $a(1+\cos{\theta})$ and outside $a\sin{\theta}$?

• find the coordinates of intersection and use those as limits of the integration, integrate the two and subtractone from the other – danimal Jun 16 '15 at 8:17
• it is essential to draw a picture and determine the limits of integration – David Quinn Jun 16 '15 at 8:29
• So the two curves intersect on pi/2 for the first time. And I calculate the area of the cardioid up to pi/2, then I subtract the area of half the circle. I think I got it. Thank you both. – Laxuist Jun 16 '15 at 9:28
• would you mind explaining why the above formula makes sense when it comes to calculating the area of a enclosed curve in polar coordinates?? I am a little confused about the formula.... – NiubilityDiu Jul 20 '15 at 20:49

integrate the cardioid from $-\pi$ to $\frac {\pi}{2}$ and subtract half the circle