# Thread: Simpsons Rule - Finding The Input?

1. ## Simpsons Rule - Finding The Input?

I'm having trouble with a certain type of simpsons rule question, here is one for example;

"Use Simpson's rule with 2 strips to estimate the area between $y = x^3 -1$, the y axis and x=1."

The problem I'm having is that I've always done these when I've been given a table of values, where the values to put into the equation have been given to me. This type of question has really confused me because how can I find the values to input into the equation :S

Can someone point me on the right track please?

Thanks

2. Originally Posted by Kaynight
I'm having trouble with a certain type of simpsons rule question, here is one for example;

"Use Simpson's rule with 2 strips to estimate the area between $y = x^3 -1$, the y axis and x=1."

The problem I'm having is that I've always done these when I've been given a table of values, where the values to put into the equation have been given to me. This type of question has really confused me because how can I find the values to input into the equation :S

Can someone point me on the right track please?

Thanks
You have to use two "strips"(that is just weird) to evaluate this. So take your interval and divide it in two $\Delta{x}=\frac{1-0}{2}=\frac{1}{2}$

So the values you put in are $0,\frac{1}{2},1$

3. Originally Posted by Mathstud28
You have to use two "strips"(that is just weird) [/tex]
Lol tell me about it but for some reason all the questions I'm looking at from past papers are only two strips.

Anyways, you made that look so much easier then what I thought I had to do!

Thanks very much