Using Trapezoid Rule Twice huh?

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The discussion focuses on using the trapezoidal rule to calculate the area and volume of water in a pit by estimating cross-sectional areas. The initial calculations involve determining the width, end values, and midpoints to find the area using the formula A=(1/2)w[E+2M]. It is noted that to find the total volume, the trapezoidal rule must be applied multiple times across different cross sections. The complexity arises from varying numbers of y-points at different x-values, leading to the suggestion that the trapezoidal rule is effectively used five times, not just twice. The conversation also touches on the appropriateness of the thread's placement in the forum.
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Homework Statement


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Homework Equations


A=(1/2)w[E+2M]
Where w=width between each interval
E=f(a0)+f(an) is the sum of the end values
M=f(a1)+f(a2)+...f(an-1)


The Attempt at a Solution



I found the area of the first trapezoidal rule but can't identify the other
w=(15/5)=3metres
E=2.6+2.4=5
M=3+3.2+2.9+2.4=11.5

Therefore, A=(1/2)w[E+2M]=42

I couldn't identify the 2nd one
 
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In order to calculate the volume of water in the pit, you can calculate the area of each of the 6 cross sections using the trapezoidal rule. Make a table or plot of the resulting cross sectional areas and use the trapezoidal rule again in the direction perpendicular to the cross sections to calculate the volume of water in the pit.
 
You are estimating a volume, so you are doing a 2-dimensional integral of the form \int \int f(x,y) \, dx \, dy [\tex] where f(x,y) = depth at point (x,y). For each x, you do the trapezoidal rule to estimate \int f(x,y)\, dy, and you are doing that at the x-points 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 (meters). Of course, at different x you have different numbers of y-points, so rather than doing the trapezoidal rule twice, I would rather say you are doing it 5 times (once for each of the 5 x-values).<br /> <br /> RGV
 
Shouldn't this be in Calculus and Beyond?
 
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