(Homework Help)
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Suppose that  f(x)  is continuously differentiable
 
Suppose that  f(x)  is continuously differentiable
 
on the interval  [a,b].  Let  N  be a positive integer
 
on the interval  [a,b].  Let  N  be a positive integer
and let <math> M = Max { |f'(x)| : a \leq x \leq b } </math>.  Let
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and let <math> M = Max \{ |f'(x)| : a \leq x \leq b \} </math>.  Let
 
<math> h = \frac{(b-a)}{N}  </math> and let  <math> R_N </math>  denote the "right endpoint"
 
<math> h = \frac{(b-a)}{N}  </math> and let  <math> R_N </math>  denote the "right endpoint"
 
Riemann Sum for the integral
 
Riemann Sum for the integral
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The <math>M(b-a)</math> gives the height of one section(slope=(y/x), so slope*x=y), where <math>\frac{(b-a)}{N}</math> gives the width, and when multiplied together, they give you a rectangle which, if you remember from class, is the error--take the R-sum, then stack the extra blocks on to of each other. Does anyone else remember that? Or should I explain it better?
 
The <math>M(b-a)</math> gives the height of one section(slope=(y/x), so slope*x=y), where <math>\frac{(b-a)}{N}</math> gives the width, and when multiplied together, they give you a rectangle which, if you remember from class, is the error--take the R-sum, then stack the extra blocks on to of each other. Does anyone else remember that? Or should I explain it better?
  
*It's a bit easier to follow the discussion when one puts a signature after a comment. Just push the signature button in the edit page, or type two dashed followed by four ~, i.e. <nowiki>--~~~~</nowiki>, and your signature with the date will appear. --[[User:Mboutin|Mboutin]] 17:42, 19 September 2008 (UTC)
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*It's a bit easier to follow the discussion when one puts a signature after a comment. Just push the signature button in the edit page, or type two dashes followed by four ~, i.e. <nowiki>--~~~~</nowiki>, and your signature with the date will appear. --[[User:Mboutin|Mboutin]] 17:42, 19 September 2008 (UTC)
  
 
*Dryg - I get what you're saying Chumbert.. Yeah I remember the explanation of the stacking of blocks of the error from each sum. Unfortunately, I don't know how to prove it mathematically either  --[[User:Idryg|Idryg]] 14:30, 22 September 2008 (UTC)
 
*Dryg - I get what you're saying Chumbert.. Yeah I remember the explanation of the stacking of blocks of the error from each sum. Unfortunately, I don't know how to prove it mathematically either  --[[User:Idryg|Idryg]] 14:30, 22 September 2008 (UTC)
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*Somebody ought to be able to find the argument in their class notes.  I sketched the argument in class one day.  --[[User:Bell|Bell]] 12:07, 23 September 2008 (UTC)
  
 
==Interesting Articles about Calculus==
 
==Interesting Articles about Calculus==

Revision as of 07:07, 23 September 2008

Math 181 Honors Calculus

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Lecture Notes

Homework Help

Hello, this is gary from ma181. let's solve the extra credit problem. Here is the problem in italics:

Extra Credit Problem


Suppose that f(x) is continuously differentiable on the interval [a,b]. Let N be a positive integer and let $ M = Max \{ |f'(x)| : a \leq x \leq b \} $. Let $ h = \frac{(b-a)}{N} $ and let $ R_N $ denote the "right endpoint" Riemann Sum for the integral $ I = \int_a^b f(x) dx . $ In other words, $ R_N = \sum_{n=1}^N f(a + n h) h . $

Explain why the error, $ E = | R_N - I | $, satisfies $ E \le \frac{M(b-a)^2}{N}. $

  • So what does this equation "E < M(b-a)^2/N" mean. This reads that the error is less than the Maximum value of the derivative of the function of x multiplied by the interval squared from x=a to x=b all divided by the total number of subintervals N.
  • I don't understand why this must be true. Maybe I'm wrong, but if f(x) were a horizontal line, wouldn't E=0 and M(b-a)^2/N also be =0. That would mean it is a false statement that E < M(b-a)^2/N. Are we to assume that E <= M(b-a)^2/N?
  • Chumbert - Yeah, he said in class today (Wed.) to assume that, right?
  • Bell - Oops! Sorry about that. You're right. It needs to be $ \le $. (I can show that the only time it is actually equal is when the function $ f(x) $ is a constant function.)
  • Ctuchek - I do remember him saying that we will need to use the Mean Value Theorem.
  • Chumbert - Logically, I think I got it, but I'm not entirely sure how to prove it mathematically:

The $ M(b-a) $ gives the height of one section(slope=(y/x), so slope*x=y), where $ \frac{(b-a)}{N} $ gives the width, and when multiplied together, they give you a rectangle which, if you remember from class, is the error--take the R-sum, then stack the extra blocks on to of each other. Does anyone else remember that? Or should I explain it better?

  • It's a bit easier to follow the discussion when one puts a signature after a comment. Just push the signature button in the edit page, or type two dashes followed by four ~, i.e. --~~~~, and your signature with the date will appear. --Mboutin 17:42, 19 September 2008 (UTC)
  • Dryg - I get what you're saying Chumbert.. Yeah I remember the explanation of the stacking of blocks of the error from each sum. Unfortunately, I don't know how to prove it mathematically either --Idryg 14:30, 22 September 2008 (UTC)
  • Somebody ought to be able to find the argument in their class notes. I sketched the argument in class one day. --Bell 12:07, 23 September 2008 (UTC)

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