Area under a curve

[Bobbyk]

Hey all.............
i need to find the area under a curve for an engineering problem i have, using a)rectangular and b)trapezoid methods....

for example: by sub dividing intervals [a,b]

if the sum of the areas for part a) are



∆w*{(a)^2+(a+ ∆w)^2 + (a +2*∆w)..........+(a+(n-1)*∆w)^2}


using 3 rectangles.....then rectangle #n for the function lets say y=x^2






any information on how to do this both ways would be greatly appreciated as i am really stuck and barely no where or how to begin.... thanks

[Zhuge]

This isn't really a programming question.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riemann_sums

[Bobbyk]

It is because areas can be found as answers too just like sums! if u get me!

[moorecm]

You might find a for loop to be useful for such an application. Give it a shot and post any specific problems that you encounter.