Riemann Sums

Maariya Siddiqui and Lindsey Lundmark

Objectives
Learn how to approximate the value of a definite
integral using:
o
o
o
o

Left Riemann sums

Right Riemann sums
Midpoint Riemann sums
Trapezoidal sums

on the interval [a,b]

Rectangular Approximation
Method (RAM)
RAM is the process of slicing a region into
rectangular strips and then calculating their area
LRAM

RRAM

MRAM

Trapezoida
l

How to find
Width:

ba
n

length of interval
# of rectangles

Height: determined by the function value at

either the left endpoint, right endpoint, or
midpoint of the subintervals

LRAM
The Left Rectangle Approximation Method uses
the x-value of the left side of each subinterval to
determine the height of each rectangle.
Almost always an underestimation
Area x f (left side of first interval) x f (left side of second interval) etc...

LRAM Example
Use LRAM with 4 subintervals of equal length and
values from the table to approximate the area on
the interval [0,80].

[0,20] [20,40] [40,60] [60,80]

x

ba
n

80 0
20
4

A 20( f (0)) 20( f (20)) 20( f (40)) 20( f (60))

20(5) 20(22) 20(35) 20(44)
100 440 700 880

A 2120 ft/sec underestimate

RRAM
The Right Rectangular Approximation Method
uses the x-value on the right side of each
subinterval to determine the height of each
triangle.
Almost always an overestimation
Area x f (right side of first interval) x f (right side of second interval) etc...

RRAM Example
Use RRAM with 4 subintervals of equal length and
values from the table to approximate the area on
the interval [0,80].

[0,20] [20,40] [40,60] [60,80]

x

ba
n

80 0
20
4

A 20( f (20)) 20( f (40)) 20( f (60)) 20( f (80))

20(22) 20(35) 20(44) 20(49)
440 700 880 980

A 3000 ft/sec overestimate

MRAM
The Midpoint Rectangular Approximation Method
uses the x-value in the middle of each subinterval
to determine the height of each triangle.
The most accurate estimation
Area x f (middle of first interval) x f (middle of second interval) etc...

MRAM Example
Use MRAM with 4 subintervals of equal length and
values from the table to approximate the area on
the interval [0,80].

[0,20] [20,40] [40,60] [60,80]

x

ba
n

80 0
20
4

A 20( f (10)) 20( f (30)) 20( f (50)) 20( f (70))

20(14) 20(29) 20(40) 20(47)
280 580 800 940

A 2600 ft/sec

Trapezoidal Sum
The trapezoidal approximation method uses the
x-values to the left and right of each subinterval
to determine the height of each rectangle
Area

1
x (left height of first trapezoid right height of first trapezoid) etc...
2

Trapezoidal Sum Example

Use trapezoidal sums with 4 subintervals of equal
length and values from the table to approximate
the area on the interval [0,80].

[0,20] [20,40] [40,60] [60,80]

x

ba
n

80 0
20
4

1
20 f (0) f (20) 1 20 f (20) f (40) 1 20 f (40) f (60) 1 20 f (60) f (80)
2
2
2
2
10(5 22) 10(22 35) 10(35 44) 10(44 49)
10(27) 10(57) 10(79) 10(93)

270 570 790 930

A 2560 ft/sec

What time is it? Quiz time!

Question 1
Find the approximate area using LRAM with 3
subintervals of equal length and values from the
table to approximate the area on the interval [0,6].

A.
72.2

B.
43.2

C.
25.6

D.
66.4

Correct!
[0,2] [2,4] [4,6]
A 2( f (0)) 2( f (2)) 2( f (4))
2(0) 2(8.8) 2(12.8)
0 17.6 25.6
A 43.2
Good Job! On to the next question

Wrong Answer

Review the rules and then try again.

LRAM
The Left Rectangle Approximation Method uses
the x-value of the left side of each subinterval to
determine the height of each rectangle.
Almost always an underestimation

Area x f (left side of first interval) x f (left side of second interval) etc...

Back to Quiz

Question 2
Find the approximate area using RRAM with 3
subintervals of equal length and values from the
table to approximate the area on the interval [0,6].

A.
54.6

B.
36.1

C.
72.2

D.
43.2

Correct!
[0,2] [2,4] [4,6]
A 2( f (2)) 2( f (4)) 2( f (6))
2(8.8) 2(12.8) 2(14.5)
17.6 25.6 29.0
A 72.2

Good Job! On to the next question

Wrong Answer

Review the rules and then try again.

RRAM
The Right Rectangular Approximation Method
uses the x-value on the right side of each
subinterval to determine the height of each
triangle.
Almost always an overestimation
Area x f (right side of first interval) x f (right side of second interval) etc...

Back to Quiz

Question 3
Find the approximate area using MRAM with 3
subintervals of equal length and values from the
table to approximate the area on the interval [0,6].

A.
60.6

B.
30.3

C.
66.7

D.
55.4

Correct!
[0,2] [2,4] [4,6]
A 2( f (1)) 2( f (3)) 2( f (5))
2(5.3) 2(11.2) 2(13.8)
10.6 22.4 27.6
A 60.6

Good Job! On to the next question

Wrong Answer

Review the rules and then try again.

MRAM
The Midpoint Rectangular Approximation Method
uses the x-value in the middle of each subinterval
to determine the height of each triangle.
The most accurate estimation

Area x f (middle of first interval) x f (middle of second interval) etc...

Back to Quiz

Question 4
Find the approximate area using a trapezoidal sum
with 3 subintervals of equal length and values from
the table to approximate the area on the interval
[0,6].

A.
80.9

B.
66.4

C.
57.7

D.
115.4

Correct!
[0,2] [2,4] [4,6]
1
1
1
(2)( f (0) f (2)) (2)( f (2) f (4)) (2)( f (4) f (6))
2
2
2
(0 8.8) (8.8 12.8) (12.8 14.5)

8.8 21.6 27.3

A 57.7

Good Job!

Wrong Answer

Review the rules and then try again.

Trapezoidal Sum
The trapezoidal approximation method uses the
x-values to the left and right of each subinterval
to determine the height of each rectangle

Area

1
x (left height of first trapezoid right height of first trapezoid) etc...
2

Back to Quiz

Congrats!

Youve mastered Riemann Sums!