Find the area of the region bounded by the x-axis, part of the curve , and the ordinates and . If…

Find the area of the region bounded by the x-axis, part of the curve $y = 1 + \frac{8}{x^2}$, and the ordinates $x = 2$ and $x = 4$. If the ordinate at $x = a$ divides the area into two equal parts, find the value of $a$.