Mathematics (AS)·Integration · NSSCAS 2.5.2
The trapezium rule
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Some integrals cannot be worked out exactly, so we estimate them instead. In this lesson Miss Eve shows you how to slice the area under a curve into straight-topped trapezium strips and add them up with one tidy formula. You will build an ordinate table, apply the rule step by step, and get an answer to three significant figures. You will also learn to sketch the curve and say whether your estimate is a little too big or a little too small.
What you'll learn in this lesson
By the end you should be able to (NSSCAS Mathematics (AS) 2.5.2):
- Use the trapezium rule to estimate the value of a definite integral.
- Use sketch graphs in simple cases to decide whether the trapezium rule gives an over-estimate or an under-estimate.
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