Questions: Approximate the area under the curve graphed below from x=2 to x=5 using a Left Endpoint approximation with 3 subdivisions.
Transcript text: Approximate the area under the curve graphed below from $x=2$ to $x=5$ using a Left Endpoint approximation with 3 subdivisions.
Solution
Solution Steps
Step 1: Determine the width of each subdivision
The interval from \( x = 2 \) to \( x = 5 \) is divided into 3 subdivisions. The width (\(\Delta x\)) of each subdivision is calculated as follows:
\[
\Delta x = \frac{5 - 2}{3} = 1
\]
Step 2: Identify the left endpoints
The left endpoints of the 3 subdivisions are:
For the first subdivision: \( x = 2 \)
For the second subdivision: \( x = 3 \)
For the third subdivision: \( x = 4 \)
Step 3: Evaluate the function at the left endpoints
Using the graph, approximate the function values at the left endpoints:
\( f(2) \approx 2 \)
\( f(3) \approx 3 \)
\( f(4) \approx 4 \)
Step 4: Calculate the area of each rectangle
The area of each rectangle is given by the function value at the left endpoint times the width (\(\Delta x\)):
Area of the first rectangle: \( f(2) \cdot \Delta x = 2 \cdot 1 = 2 \)
Area of the second rectangle: \( f(3) \cdot \Delta x = 3 \cdot 1 = 3 \)
Area of the third rectangle: \( f(4) \cdot \Delta x = 4 \cdot 1 = 4 \)
Step 5: Sum the areas of the rectangles
Add the areas of the three rectangles to approximate the total area under the curve:
\[
\text{Total Area} = 2 + 3 + 4 = 9
\]
Final Answer
The approximate area under the curve from \( x = 2 \) to \( x = 5 \) using a Left Endpoint approximation with 3 subdivisions is \( 9 \).