The net power \(g\), in kilowatts, gives the rate of change of stored energy in an energy-storage unit. Positive values indicate charging, and negative values indicate discharging. The graph of \(g\) is shown in the first panel.
a) Find the total change in stored energy from \(t=-2\) to \(t=6\).
b) Let \(G(x)=\int_{-2}^x g(t)\,\mathrm{d}t\), the accumulated energy change since \(t=-2\). Which of Graphs 1, 2, and 3 represents \(G\)? Justify your choice using where \(G\) increases or decreases and where it has extrema.

Hints
- Signed area under a power graph gives the change in stored energy.
- Do not use the endpoint values alone; all three candidates share them.
- Use the sign of \(g\) to decide where \(G\) must increase or decrease.
- A sign change of \(g\) from negative to positive gives a local minimum of \(G\); the opposite sign change gives a local maximum.
Solution
1. The signed-area balance consists of four triangles with areas \(-2\), \(2\), \(2\), and \(-2\) kilowatt-hours. Their sum is \(0\), so the total stored-energy change is \(0\,\text{kWh}\).
2. The accumulation function satisfies \(G(-2)=0\) and \(G'(x)=g(x)\). All three candidate graphs also end at \(G(6)=0\), so the endpoint values alone do not determine the answer.
3. The rate \(g\) is negative on \((-2,0)\), positive on \((0,4)\), and negative on \((4,6)\). Therefore, \(G\) must decrease, then increase, then decrease.
4. At \(x=0\), \(g\) changes from negative to positive, so \(G\) has a local minimum. At \(x=4\), \(g\) changes from positive to negative, so \(G\) has a local maximum.
5. Only Graph 1 has the required monotonicity and extrema while sharing the same endpoint values as the other candidates.
Answer
a) \(0\,\text{kWh}\)
b) Graph 1; all three candidates satisfy \(G(-2)=G(6)=0\), but only Graph 1 decreases on \((-2,0)\), increases on \((0,4)\), decreases on \((4,6)\), has a local minimum at \(x=0\), and has a local maximum at \(x=4\).