Find the points where the curves intersect by solving (f(x)=g(x))
Determine which curve is on top and which is on bottom over each interval
Set up the area integral as (int_a^b [text{top curve} – text{bottom curve}],dx)
If the curves cross more than once, split the integral at each intersection point
If integrating with respect to (y) is easier, write the curves as (x=f(y)) and use (int_c^d [text{right curve} – text{left curve}],dy)
Evaluate the integral to get the area
Use absolute values or interval splitting if the top/bottom order changes
Check that the result is positive and matches the bounded region