# Math Help - Midpoint Rule

1. ## Midpoint Rule

midpoint rule to approximate the integral where n=3
upper limit=11 ; lower limit=5 (5x+2x^2)dx

so far i've got delta x and just cant get the numbers to plug into the original function

2. ## Mid-point rule

Hello sjara
Originally Posted by sjara
midpoint rule to approximate the integral where n=3
upper limit=11 ; lower limit=5 (5x+2x^2)dx

so far i've got delta x and just cant get the numbers to plug into the original function
$\Delta = \frac{11-5}{3}=2$. Do you agree?

So we want three rectangles, each of width $2$ units, starting at $x=5$, ending at $x=11$; total width $= 3\times2 = 6$

The mid-point of the first rectangle, then, is at $x = 5 + \tfrac12\Delta = 5 + 1=6$. So this is the first value of $x$ to plug into the function; i.e.
$f(6) = 5\times6 + 2\times 6^2 = 30 +72 = 102$
This is the height of the first rectangle, then. Its area is therefore $102 \times 2$.

The next value of $x$ is at the mid-point of the second rectangle; i.e. at $x = 6 + 2 = 8$; and the final value will be at $x = 8+2 = 10$.

Work out $f(8)$ and $f(10)$, and then the total area.

I make the answer $1040$. Do you?