Trapezium Rule

2
Functions such as e x andsin x 3 cannot be integrated readily. In this
case, we would have to use some methods of approximation. The
trapezium rule, one of the methods of approximation, enables us to
b

obtain a good approximation to the value of ∫ f ( x)dx .

a
b
1 (b − a)
∫ f ( x)dx ≈ 2 [ ( y 0 + y n ) + 2( y 2 + y3 + ........ + y n −1 )]
a
n

1
1
1. Evaluate ∫ 1 + 2 x dx
0
using the trapezium rule with six ordinates.

2. Use the trapezium rule with two strips (two intervals) to obtain an
3

approximation for the value of A, where A = ∫ ( x + ln x ) dx

1
3. R is the region in the first quadrant bounded by the y-axis, the x-
π π 1
axis from 0 to , the line x = and part of the curve y = (1 + sin x) 2 .
2 2
Use the trapezium rule with three ordinates to show that the area
of R is approximately 0.63π . .

4. Estimate, to two significant figures, the percentage error in

4
evaluating the function from x = 0 to x = 1 by using the
1 + x2
trapezium rule with three ordinates.(Use the substitution x = tan
θ)

1
5. Find the area of the region bounded by the curve y = x + , the x-
x
axis and the lines x = 2 and x = 5, leaving your answer in a form
involving ln. Find, to three decimal places, an approximation to
this area by using the trapezium rule and dividing the area into
three strips of unit width. Explain why the approximation is
greater than the correct value.
π
3
6. Evaluate dx , giving your answer correct to 2 significant
∫ tan x
0

π π π π
figures. Use the trapezium rule with ordinates at x = 0, , , ,
12 6 4 3
to obtain an approximation to the integral (2 s.f). Explain with the
aid of a sketch why in this case the trapezium rule gives an
estimate that is greater than the correct value.
4
ln x
7. Evaluate ∫ dx , correct to three significant figures,
2
x

1
 i) by using the substitution u = ln x ,
ii) by using the trapezium rule with four strips.

8. By using the trapezium rule with 3 ordinates, obtain an

2

where I = ∫ x + 1 dx giving your

3
approximation for the value of I
0
answer to 3 decimal places.

9. Use the trapezium rule with ordinates at x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 to

4
1
estimate the value of ∫0 1 + x dx .
10.Use the trapezium rule with three ordinates to obtain an
π
2
approximation for the integral 1 + sin θ dθ
∫ 0

2
− x 2 dx
11.Use the trapezium rule with three ordinates to estimate ∫e
1
.

12.Use the trapezium rule with trapezia of unit width to find an

5

estimate for ∫ ln
2
x dx . Explain with the aid of a sketch why the

trapezium rule underestimates the value of the integral in this

case, and calculate, correct to one significant figure, the percentage
error involved.

Answer

1. 1 2 ln3 0.55513..
2. trapezium rule : 4 + 1 2 ln12 or 5.24245 exact : 2 + 3ln3 or 5.2958
4. exact : = π trapezium rule : 3.1 percentage error = 1.32%
6. ln 2; (0.71 ; graph concave upwards and chord lies above it)
7 (i) 0.721 (ii) 0.719 8. 3.414
9. 1.95 10. 2.62 11. 0.15
12. 3.636; 0.7%

Trapezium Rule

1.

2
 The diagram shows a sketch of the curve y = 2 + x 3 for values of x
between – 0.5 and 0.5.
(a) Use the trapezium rule, with ordinates at x = – 0.5, x = 0 and x
0.5

= 0.5, to find an approximate value for ∫

− 0.5
2 + x 3 dx

(b) Explain briefly, with reference to the diagram, why the

trapezium rule can be expected to give a good approximation to
the value of the integral in this case.

2. By means of the substitution x = u 3 , show that

1
−
x 3
3u
∫1+ x ∫ 1 + u 3 du
.
dx =
Use the trapezium rule, with ordinates at u = 0, ¼, ½, to find an
1
2
approximate value for 3u
∫1+ u 3
du , giving your answer correct to two
0
decimal places.

3. Use the trapezium rule with ordinates at x = 0, ½ , 1, 1 ½ , 2 to

2

∫3
x
find, in surd form, an approximate value for the integral dx
0

and deduce that ln 3 ≈ 4(2 - 3 ).

4. Use the trapezium rule with intervals of width 0.5 to find an

2.5
1
approximation for ∫ dx , giving your answer correct to 2
1
1 + ln x
decimal places.

3
 1
1 −
5. Let I = x
∫ 2 e − x dx . Use integration by parts to show that
0
1
1 −
I = 2e - 1 + ∫ x 2 e − x dx . Hence, by using the trapezium rule with
0
four intervals of width 0.25, calculate a value for I, giving 2
significant figures in your answer.

6. Show, by means of the substitution

0.25 0.5
1
∫ e - x dx = ∫ 2e −u du
2
u = x , that
x 0 0
Use the trapezium rule, with ordinates u = 0, u = 0.1, u = 0.2, u =
0.5

0.3, u = 0.4 and u = 0.5, to estimate the value of ∫ 2e du , giving

2
−u

0
three decimal places in your answer.

7.

The diagram shows the region R bounded by the axes, the curve
3 1 −3
2
2
y = (x + 1) 2 and the line x = 1. The integral ∫ (x + 1) 2 dx is
0
denoted by I.
(a) Use the trapezium rule with ordinates at x = 0, x = ½ and x = 1,
to estimate the value of I, giving your answer correct to 2
significant figures.
(b) Use the substitution x = tan θ to show that I = ½ √2.
(c) By using the trapezium rule, with the same ordinates as in part
(a), or otherwise, estimate the volume of the solid formed when
R is rotated completely about the x-axis, giving your answer
correct to 2 significant figures.

8. The region bounded by the curve y = (1 + cos x) – ½, the x-axis and

the lines x = 0 and x = ½ π, is denoted by R. Use the trapezium
rule with ordinates at x = 0, x = ¼ π and x = ½ π to estimate the
area of R, giving two significant figures in your answer.
9. Using the trapezium rule with points of subdivision at x = ¼ π, ½ π
π
and ¾ π, find an approximation to the value of ∫ exp (cos x) dx ,
0
giving 3 d.p in your answer.

4
10.The region R is bounded by the curve (x3 + 1) 1/4 , the line x = 1 and
x = 3 and the x-axis. Express as an integral the volume V of the
solid formed when R is rotated completely about the x-axis.
Use the trapezium rule with 4 intervals to estimate V, giving your
answer correct to 2 decimal places.