[nabs-l] integration question

[minh ha]

Joe,
We are studying the different formulas next in our course, and I know
the formulas will make things a lot easier to figure out integrals. I
just thought for the current problem of drawing rectangles under the
curve that there might be a way for me to do it more efficiently. But
I guess this is a part of math that I just have to stick it out, no
matter how painful. :).
As for LaTeX, I heard about it in passing from several people, but I
have no idea what it really is and what it can do. I think I'll try
and google it and perhaps you can point me in the right direction to
find more information about it.

Thanks a bunches for your help
Minh


On 2/2/11, Joseph C. Lininger <jbahm at pcdesk.net> wrote:
> Min,
> To answer your first question, there are formulas which you can use to
> evaluate these integrals if you are doing so over a definite interval. I
> don't remember them off the top of my head, but I know there are five of
> them you are likely to encounter. They are: left rectangle, mid
> rectangle, right rectangle, Trapezoidal, and simptson's rule. Each has a
> formula you can use, as well as an equation for determining the amount
> of error. Simpson's rule is the most accurate, but it requires
> computation of a fourth derivative in order to determine the error so it
> isn't always practical. Anyway, if you know those formulas, you can use
> the method. The left, mid, and right rectangle are easy because it's the
> Remon sum equation, with slight variations for each of the three. The
> other two, Trapezoidal and simpson's rule, you'll just have to memorize
> those if you choose to use them. You'll also have to know the equation
> for error in approximation for each method.
>
> To answer your second question, if you choose to go on in mathematics,
> and you are going to use a computer to read and write your math, I
> suggest you take up the LaTeX type setting system. This will do two
> things for you. First, it will allow you to generate accessible math
> which you can both read and work on. Second, you can use LaTeX source to
> generate something which a teacher, professor, or coleague will find
> readable and which uses the symbols which are used in the field. The
> trouble with using word is that if you try to generate things so they
> look the same as what a sighted person would expect to see, more than
> likely your screen reader will not read it correctly for you any more.
>
> Let me know if I can be of further assistance.
> Joe
>
>


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