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Kelcey Heaney

Acre

AP Calculus

27 March 2017

Riemann Sums

Many applications of calculus involve definite integrals. In some cases it can be difficult

to find the antiderivative of the integrand. Different methods can be used to evaluate a definite

integral when finding the area underneath a curve. There are different numerical methods

including; Riemann Sums, Trapezoid rule, and Simpsons rule. Due to each of the methods

requiring different shapes to approximate the total area under the curve, the methods do vary in

accuracy.

Part 1: Formal Definitions

A Riemann Sum is a method used for approximating the total area under a curve between

two given boundaries, which is also known as an integral. The sum is calculated by dividing the

region under the curve into shapes such as rectangles that together form a region similar to the

region being measured. By calculating the areas of these shapes and adding the small areas

together, we can come up with an approximation of the area under the curve. Because the region

filled by the small shapes is usually not exactly the same shape as the region being measured, the

Riemann Sum will not be the exact measure of the area under the curve. Different methods can

be used to determine the area under the curve that will reduce the error when approximating the

curve.

The trapezoid rule is a different technique for approximating the definite integral.

The trapezoid rule works by approximating the region under the graph of the function as
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a trapezoid and calculating its area. With the trapezoid rule, instead of approximating area by

using rectangles (as done with the left, right, midpoint, upper, and lower rectangle methods) the

area is approximated by using trapezoids. Because of the way trapezoids hug the curve, they give

a much better area estimate than either left or right rectangles. The trapezoid approximation is

actually the average of the left rectangle and right rectangle approximations therefore it has a

more accurate approximation.

b
x
Trapezoid Rule: f ( x ) dx 2

a

Figure 1. Formula of Trapezoid Rule

The area under the curve is cut into equal subintervals and the area is evaluated on the

interval [a,b]. The change in x can be found through the equation (b a) / n, n being the number

of subintervals equal in length.

Another approximation includes Simpson's Rule, where we will use parabolas to

approximate the area under the curve. In the trapezoid rule method, we start with rectangles and

replace their horizontal-line tops with slanted lines. The shapes used to find the area under the

graph of a function on a closed interval then become trapezoids. Simpsons method replaces the

slanted-line tops with parabolas. Though two points determine the equation of a line, three are

required for a parabola. This proves to be the most efficient since it's generally more accurate

than the other numerical methods. The curves on the graph are better represented by parabolas

opposed to straight and slanted lines. If the interval [a, b] is divided into an even number, n, of

subintervals of equal width ( x ) then:

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b
x
f ( x) dx 3 (f(x0) + 4f(x1) + 2f(x2) + 4f(x3) + 2f(x4) + + 4f(xn1) + f(xn))
a

Figure 2. Formula of Simpsons Rule

The area under the curve is cut into equal subintervals and the area is evaluated on the

interval [a,b]. The change in x can be found through the equation (b a) / n, n being the number

of subintervals equal in length. In order to use Simpsons rule, there must be an even number of

subintervals, n, or an odd number of data points.

Part 2: Illustrations of 5 Riemann Sums with 2 Intervals

Figure 3. Left Riemann Sum

For the left Riemann Sum, the y-value intersects the function at the upper left corner of

the rectangle at the coordinates (1,13) and (3,5).

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Figure 4. Midpoint Riemann Sum

For the midpoint Riemann Sum, the y-value intersects the function at the middle of the

top side of the rectangle at the coordinates (2,8) and (4,4).

Figure 5. Right Riemann Sum

For the right Riemann Sum, the y-value intersects the function at the upper right corner of

the rectangle at the coordinates (3,5) and (5,29).

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Figure 6. Upper Riemann Sum

For the upper Riemann Sum, the y-value of the rectangle intersects the function at the

highest point of the function at the coordinates (1,13) and (5,29).

Figure 7. Lower Riemann Sum

For the lower Riemann Sum, the y-value of the rectangle intersects the function at the

lowest point of the function at the coordinates (3,5) and (3.68,3.12).

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Part 3: Calculate the Approximations for the 5 Riemann Sums

For each Riemann Sum drawn above, to find the area under the curves, we must multiply

the width of each rectangle by the height of the rectangle and add the rectangles together. The

height of the rectangle is the y-value depending on where the rectangle intersects the function.

The width of the rectangle is also known as the change in x. The change in x can be calculated

using the equation (b a ) / n. The x-value of a = 1 and the x-value of b = 5. The n value is equal

to the number of rectangles under the curve between a and b which is 2. The change in x = (5

1) / 2 which is 2.

To calculate the each of the Riemann Sums we take the y-values (f(x)) and multiply them

by the change in x. For the left Riemann Sum, the y-value intersects the function at the upper left

corner of the rectangle at the coordinates (1,13) and (3,5). F(1) = 13 and f(3) = 5.

Left Riemann Sum = f(1)(2) + f(3)(2) = 36 un2

For the midpoint Riemann Sum, the y-value intersects the function at the middle of the

top side of the rectangle at the coordinates (2,8) and (4,4). F(2) = 8 and f(4) = 4.

Midpoint Riemann Sum = f(2)(2) + f(4)(2) = 24 un2

For the right Riemann Sum, the y-value intersects the function at the upper right corner of

the rectangle at the coordinates (3,5) and (5,29). F(3) = 5 and f(5) = 29.

Right Riemann Sum = f(3)(2) + f(5)(2) = 68 un2

For the upper Riemann Sum, the y-value of the rectangle intersects the function at the

highest point of the function at the coordinates (1,13) and (5,29). F(1) = 13 and f(5) = 29.

Upper Riemann Sum = f(1)(2) + f(5)(2) = 84 un2

For the lower Riemann Sum, the y-value of the rectangle intersects the function at the

lowest point of the function at the coordinates (3,5) and (3.68,3.12). F(3) = 5 and f(3.68) =3.12.

Lower Riemann Sum = f(3)(2) + f(3.68)(2) = 16.25 un2

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Part 4: Illustrations and Calculations of Trapezoid Rule and Simpsons Rule

Given Equation: f(x) = (x-3)4 + 2(x-3)3 4(x-3) + 5

Figure 8. Illustration of Trapezoid Rule for Given Equation

Slanted lines are connected between each of the points to form trapezoids. The area of

each of the trapezoids are calculated and added together.

To solve for the trapezoid rule with 4 intervals, we must use the formula in figure 1. To

find the change in x, x , we use the formula (b a) / n. The change in x equals (5 1) / 4

which is 1.

Trapezoid Rule for the given equation

x

2

f ( x 0 ) =f ( 1 )=13

f ( x 1 )=f ( 2 )=8
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f ( x 2 )=f ( 3 )=5

f ( x 3 )=f ( 4 )=4

f ( x 4 ) =f ( 5 )=29

1

2

38 un2

Figure 9. Illustration of Simpsons Rule for Given Equation

Three points are connected to form a parabola. Therefore there are two individual parabolas on

the graph above. The area under the parabolas is calculated to determine the total area under the curve.

To solve for Simpsons rule with 4 intervals, we must use the formula in figure 2. To find

the change in x we use the formula (b a) / n. The change in x equals (5 1) / 4 which is 1.

Simpsons rule for the given equation:

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x
3 (f(x0) + 4f(x1) + 2f(x2) + 4f(x3) + 2f(x4) + + 4f(xn1) + f(xn))

f ( x 0 ) =f ( 1 )=13

f ( x 1 )=f ( 2 )=8

f ( x 2 )=f ( 3 )=5

f ( x 3 )=f ( 4 )=4

f ( x 4 ) =f ( 5 )=2 9

1
3 (f(1) + 4f(2) + 2f(3) + 4f(4) + f(5))

33.33 un2

Definite Integral for the Given Equation:

(x3)

x3


) dx

5

= 32.8 un2

When solving the definite integral of the given equation, we get an answer of 32.8 units2.

Simpsons rule had the closest approximation of 33.33 units2 which was about a 0.533 units2 over

approximation. The trapezoid rule had an approximation of 38 units2 which was about 5.2 units2

over the exact answer. Simpsons rule was definitely the most accurate to the definite integral
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and would be the more appropriate method to use when solving for the area under a curve like

the given equation.

Part 5: Finding Area Under Curve Using Mean Value Theorem

Another concept that helps with determining the area under a curve is the mean value

theorem of integrals, which is also known as the average value. Given that f(x) is a continuous

function on the closed interval [a,b], then there is at least one number c in [a,b] such that f(c) =

f ( x ) dx f ( b ) f ( a)
a
= . The mean value theorem is computed between the boundaries of the
(ba) ba

( x3)

x3

4 +2( 34 ( x3 )+5)dx

given function. On the first interval of [1,3], the average value is

3

1
f ( c )=

Because the f(c) value has been computed, we can now solve for c. 8.2 = (x-3)4 + 2 (x-3)3 -4(x-3)

+ 5 = 1.9010 = c.
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(x3)

x3

4 +2( 34 ( x3 )+5) dx

On the second interval of [3,5] the average value is The

5

3
f ( c )=

f(c) value has been computed, so now c can be found. 8.2 = (x-3)4 + 2 (x-3)3 -4(x-3) + 5 = 4.3708

= c. The height of the rectangle is 8.2 units and the width of the rectangle is 2 units. To find the

area of a rectangle, the length and width are multiplied, so 8.2 * 2 = 16.4 un2.

Figure 10. Graph of Mean Value Theorem for Given Equation

Figure 10 above depicts the area computed by the mean value theorem for each rectangle.

Each rectangle has a height of 8.2 units and a width of 2 units. The top edge of the rectangles

intersect the function where x = c, 1.901 and 4.371. The two areas of the rectangles are added

together to give the area of 32.8 units2.

Part 6: Hot Air Balloon Problem

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a) Estimate the radius of the balloon when t = 7.2 using the tangent line approximation at t = 7. Is

your estimate greater than or less than the true value?

r(7.2) = r(7) + r(7) t = 32 + 1.4(.2) = 32.28 ft

Since r(t) is decreasing over the interval 7 < t < 7.2, r(t) is concave down, so this estimate is

greater than the actual value r(7.2).

b) Find the rate of change of the volume of the balloon with respect to time when t = 7. Indicate

the units of measure.

4 2
r
V= 3

dr
r2
dv/dt = 4 dt

At t = 7, dv/dt = 4 (32)2 * 1.4 = 5734.4 ft3/seconds

c) Use a right Riemann sum with 5 subintervals indicated by the data in the table to approximate

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r ' ( t ) dt . Using correct units, explain the meaning of r ' ( t ) dt in terms of the radius of
0 0

the balloon.
12

r ' ( t ) dt=( 10 )( 4 ) +( 41 )( 2 ) + ( 74 ) (1.4 ) + ( 117 ) (.5 )+ ( 1211) ( .4 )

0

= 16.6 ft
12

r ' ( t ) dt represents the change in radius (in feet) from t = 0 to t = 12 seconds.

0
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12

d) Is your approximation in part c greater than or less than r ' ( t ) dt ?

0

Since r is concave down, r is decreasing on 0 < t < 12. Therefore, this approximation of 16.6 feet

12

is less than r ' ( t ) dt .

0

There are many methods of calculus that help to evaluate definite integrals. Some of

these numerical methods include; Riemann Sums, Trapezoid rule, and Simpsons rule. The

accuracy of each of the methods varies due to the difference in shapes to estimate the area under

each of the curves. While many of these processes do accomplish the same goal, it is essential to

understand the differences these methods contain before determining the area under a curve.