Calculator Lab 7 for the Ti-Nspire

Riemann Sums and Definite Integrals

Name ______Date ______

Calculator Functions

From Calculator Screen Menu 4: Calculus 2: Numerical Integral

From Graph Screen Menu 6: Analyze Graph 6:Integral

Document

Riemann_Sums

You have algebraically calculated Riemann sums using left-hand and right-hand endpoints of an interval. Another Riemann sum uses rectangles whose heights are obtained by taking midpoints of each interval. The Ti-Nspire also has built in functions to calculate an approximation of the integral. In this lab you will try all of these methods and compare results.

Riemann_Sums Document Use it for calculating columns 2 thru 5 of the table that follows.

Go to My Documents and select the document named Riemann-Sums

You will be investigating several equations and intervals. The graph page is split horizontally into 2 screens. To move from the top screen to the bottom and vice versa, use CTRL TAB.

Values in the upper screen that can be changed by dragging the points to the desired values:

·  The intervals (a and b)

·  The number of rectangles (n)

·  The Riemann sum type (L for Left, M for Middle, R for Right, T for Trapezoidal)

Values in the lower screen that can be changed by double clicking on the item

·  f1(x)

From Calculator Screen

Use it for calculating column 6 of the table that follows.

Menu 4: Calculus 2: Numerical Integral

Fill in the left endpoint of interval, right endpoint of interval, the equation of the function, and the variable to differentiate with respect to

From Graph Screen

Use it for calculating column 7 of the table that follows.

Enter the equation for the function on the entry line.

Menu 6: Analyze Graph 6:Integral

When prompted for lower bound type the lower bound enclosed in parenthesis. Move hand to the right of the lower bound and type the upper bound enclosed in parenthesis.

| Riemann Sums | Calculator

Function / Interval / Left Sum / Midpoint / Right Sum / Trapezoid / Calc Screen / Graph Screen
2x / -2,1
Sin x / 0,
-2,2
0,3
xe / 0,1
x / 0,3
4 cos x / 0,

Comparing the different Riemann sums with the Ti-Nspire built in functions, which Riemann sum seems to give the better approximation to the definite integral?

______

Why? ______

______

What happens if you increase the number of rectangles? ______

Looking at your results. Is the midpoint sum an over or under approximation if the function is

·  decreasing and concave down ______

·  decreasing and concave up ______

·  increasing and concave up ______

·  increasing and concave down ______

Why? ______

______

Technology Stretch

Remember Mattie from Lab 5. She also likes speed boats. Below is a graph of the acceleration of Mattie’s last 2 hour boat trip. You should know that Mattie started at time t = 0 with position 0 and velocity 0. Sketch her velocity and position graphs and see if you can come up with their equations.

Velocity equation ______

Position equation ______