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Polynomial Test Problems for Quadrature Rules on the Standard Triangle

Gaussian quadrature rules are based on optimising the degree of the polynomials that can be
integrated exactly. The initial realisation of gausian quadrature rules are rles for approximating
a one-dimensional definite integral. The Gaussian quadrature rules for a the weights and
points with the coordinates ( , ) of the Gaussian quadrature rule for the repeated integral1:
1

(, ) ( , )

=1

The test problems are initially functions of the form (, ) = on the domain of the
standard triangle.

0
Let
1

=
0

(1)

By a symmetry argument it can be stated that = . (2)

Also
1

0 =
0

= []1

0
0

= (1 )
0
1

+1

By the symmetry argument 0 =

1
+1

+1
+2
1
1
= [

] =

+1 +2 0 +1 +2

1
+2

Also
1

=
0

Repeated Integration

=
0

1
1
+1 ]

( + 1)
0

1
1
1
(1 )+1 =

( + 1) 0
( + 1) +1

(5)

(3)

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Where = 0

(1 ) . (6)

Again by using a symmetry argument = . (7).

From equations (3) and (5) it is found that
0 =
Hence 0 +1 = 1

+1
+2

1
1
1

+ 1 + 2 ( + 1) 0 +1

1
or 0
+2

1
and
+1

it follows from equation (7) that 0 =

1
.
+1

(8)

Applying integration by parts2 to the integral (6) gives a recurrence relation with which the value
of can be evaluated,using also the results (8).
1

(1 )

Using the notation in integration by parts2,

Let = (1 ) and let

Hence = [(1 )

.
+1 +1 1

= . Hence

1
+1
]
+1 0

1 +1

+1

= (1 )1 and =

((1 )1 ) = 0 +

+1
+1

+1 (1
+1 0

)1 =

(9)

Using the formula (9) and the results (8), a table of values for can be obtained. From equation
(5) a table of values for can be obtained. A spreadsheet3 computes the tables of values. The
following table of the reciprocal of the values is also generated and the first few values are
reproduced in the following table.
Reciprocal of I-values
m

0
1
n
2
3

12

20

24

60

120

12 60 180 420
20 120 420 1120

Hence pre-multiplying the integrals (1) by the corresponding value in the table above gives a
solution of unity to each integral.

2
3

Integration by Parts
Integration over a triangle - polynomial test problems solutions