Answer
$$A = \ln 2$$
Work Step by Step
$$\eqalign{
& f\left( x \right) = \frac{1}{x}{\text{ on the interval }}\left[ { - 2,1} \right] \cr
& {\text{so}}{\text{, the area is}} \cr
& A = \int_{ - 2}^1 {\left( {\frac{1}{x}} \right)} dx \cr
& {\text{using the logarithmic rule for integration}} \cr
& A = \left. {\left( {\ln \left| x \right|} \right)} \right|_{ - 2}^1 \cr
& {\text{Using The Fundamental Theorem}} \cr
& A = \left( {\ln \left| 1 \right|} \right) - \left( {\ln \left| { - 2} \right|} \right) \cr
& {\text{Simplify}} \cr
& A = \left( 0 \right) - \left( {\ln 2} \right) \cr
& A = - \ln 2 \cr
& {\text{The area is under the x axis}}{\text{, then the absolute area is}} \cr
& \left| A \right| = \left| { - \ln 2} \right| \cr
& \left| A \right| = \ln 2 \cr
& A = \ln 2 \cr} $$
