Exercise · ZW-TRAPEZOIDAL-RULE-004 · ★☆☆ Basic

For which type of functions is the trapezoidal rule exact?

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • D. Linear functions

Explanation

A line coincides with its trapezoid, so the rule gives the exact value. Quadratics have error, as the worked example shows.

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Review the concept: Trapezoidal rule

The trapezoidal rule is a quadrature method that approximates the definite integral of a function \(f\) on \([a,b]\) by replacing the curve with the straight line joining \((a,f(a))\) and \((b,f(b))\).

\[\int_a^b f(x)\,dx \approx \frac{h}{2}\left[f(a)+2\sum_{i=1}^{n-1}f(x_i)+f(b)\right]\]

More practice problems: trapezoidal rule

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