Apex Section 5.5-Numerical integration
This interactive figure illustrates numerical integration. You can change the function using the top blue slider, or enter your own. Be sure to use only functions that are continuous on [0,4] (the interval the figure defaults back to whenever the function is changed). Drag the green points on the -axis to change the limits of integration.
You can change the number of subintervals using the slider labeled . You will not see the effect until you have selected a method. Simpson's Sum requires an even number of subintervals, so remains even although that is not required for the Trapezoidal Sum. You can select to show any combination of Trapezoidal Sum, Simpson's Sum, or the actual value (obtained by evaluating the integral or the approximation the computer generates in the case of a function that cannot be integrated).
Developed for use with Thomas' Calculus, published by Pearson.