Help me check my HW (area under a curve)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the area under the curve defined by the function f(x) = 4 - x² over the interval [1, 2] using the right endpoint formula. Participants are comparing results obtained through integration and the right endpoint approximation method.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the right endpoint formula and the discrepancies between results obtained through integration and the right endpoint method. There are attempts to clarify the setup of the right endpoint approximation, with some questioning the substitution used in the formula.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on the correct setup for the right endpoint approximation, while others express uncertainty about their own approaches. Multiple interpretations of the problem setup are being explored, and there is no explicit consensus on the correct method yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the importance of correctly substituting values in the right endpoint formula and question whether the formula changes for increasing functions. There is also a reference to differing results from integration and the right endpoint method, indicating potential misunderstandings in the application of the formulas.

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Homework Statement


I need to use the right endpoint formula to find the area under the curve f(x) = 4-x2 over the interval [1,2]
I integrated this problem and got 5/3. But doing it the long way got me 11/3. Can someone where I made my mistake on applying the right endpoint formula, thanks!

Homework Equations


right endpoint formula = [tex]f(\frac{b-a}{n}*k)[/tex] and [tex] \sum_{k=1}^n K^2 = \frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


Before I use the right endpoint formula I tried integration and got:
[tex]\int_{1}^{2} 4-x^2 dx = \left[ 4x-\frac{x^3}{3}\right]_{1}^{2} = \frac{5}{3}[/tex]

here is what I got using the right endpoint formula:
[tex]\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty} \sum_{k=1}^n f(\frac{k}{n})*\frac{1}{n}<br /> = \left[4-(\frac{k^2}{n^2})\right]*\frac{1}{n}[/tex]
[tex]= \frac{4}{n} - \frac{K^2}{n^3}[/tex]
[tex]\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty} 4 - \frac{1}{n^3}(\frac{(n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6} )[/tex]
[tex]= 4 - \frac{1}{3} = \frac{11}{3}[/tex]
 
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kingkong11 said:

Homework Statement


I need to use the right endpoint formula to find the area under the curve f(x) = 4-x2 over the interval [1,2]
I integrated this problem and got 5/3. But doing it the long way got me 11/3. Can someone where I made my mistake on applying the right endpoint formula, thanks!



Homework Equations


right endpoint formula = [tex]f(\frac{b-a}{n}*k)[/tex] and [tex] \sum_{k=1}^n K^2 = \frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}[/tex]



The Attempt at a Solution


Before I use the right endpoint formula I tried integration and got:
[tex]\int_{1}^{2} 4-x^2 dx = \left[ 4x-\frac{x^3}{3}\right]_{1}^{2} = \frac{5}{3}[/tex]

here is what I got using the right endpoint formula:
[tex]\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty} \sum_{k=1}^n f(\frac{k}{n})*\frac{1}{n}<br /> = \left[4-(\frac{k^2}{n^2})\right]*\frac{1}{n}[/tex]
[tex]= \frac{4}{n} - \frac{K^2}{n^3}[/tex]
[tex]\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty} 4 - \frac{1}{n^3}(\frac{(n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6} )[/tex]
[tex]= 4 - \frac{1}{3} = \frac{11}{3}[/tex]

You made a mistake using the right endpoint, mainly the set up of the problem the way I see it.

It should be something like:

lim as n --> infinity

summation from k = 1 to n of

[4 - (1 + k(1/n))^2] x (1/n)
 
Hint: try evaluating [tex]\int_0^1 f(x) dx[/tex]
 
physicsman2 said:
You made a mistake using the right endpoint, mainly the set up of the problem the way I see it.

It should be something like:

lim as n --> infinity

summation from k = 1 to n of

[4 - (1 + k(1/n))^2] x (1/n)

I looked at my setup again, but I still don't see the mistake. Where did you get the 1 from? [4 - (1 + k(1/n))^2] can you explain a little more please?
Thanks
 
kingkong11 said:
I looked at my setup again, but I still don't see the mistake. Where did you get the 1 from? [4 - (1 + k(1/n))^2] can you explain a little more please?
Thanks

what you substitute for x should be in the form a + k(delta x) since it's a right endpoint approximation (at least the way I learned it). where a is the lower bound of integration or first number in the interval, in this case 1.

Edit: I get 5/3 my way.
 
Last edited:
physicsman2 said:
what you substitute for x should be in the form a + k(delta x) since it's a right endpoint approximation (at least the way I learned it). where a is the lower bound of integration or first number in the interval, in this case 1.

Edit: I get 5/3 my way.

Yea, the formula I used is off that's why I was not able to figure out which part I made a mistake on.

While on the subject of formula, do I switch formula when I have an increasing function?
 
kingkong11 said:
While on the subject of formula, do I switch formula when I have an increasing function?

What do you mean?

The formula depends on where you are approximating, i.e. right endpoint, left endpoint or midpoint.
 

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