Using Tables and Variables to do Riemann Sums on the TI

The steps below will follow the example: Find the Left- and Right-hand Riemann Sums for y =
𝜋 𝜋
cosx on the interval [− 2 , 2 ] Using 10 rectangles.
𝜋 𝜋
𝑏−𝑎 𝜋 −(− )
1. Under Y1, enter the function 𝑎 + ( ) 𝑥. For our example, this is − 2 + 2 2
𝑥, or
𝑛 10
𝜋 𝜋
just − 2 + 10 𝑥. Note also that this expression is the same as 𝑎 + 𝑥(∆𝑥). Finally, note
that the variable you are calling x for the calculator is really the index variable, i , in our
calculations.
2. Press Shift-WINDOW (TBLSET). Set TblStart = 0 (for Left-Hand) or 1 (for Right-
hand). Set ∆table = 1.
3. Press Shift-GRAPH (TABLE). You see a table of values. These are the xi’s. You have
to know where they stop, though. You use a total of n values.
4. Press Y= to return to your list of functions.
5. Under Y2, type cos(
6. You want to enter the cosine of the x-values from the table. To do this, you need to get
the results from Y1 into the cosine on line Y2. Here’s how you do that:
7. Press VARS. Select Y-VARS. Select FUNCTION. Select Y1.
8. “Y1” should appear in the cosine function, so that Y2 now reads, “Y2 = cos(Y1)”
9. Press Shift-GRAPH (TABLE). You see a table showing two sets of values. These are xi
and f(xi).
10. GET CRAZY! Create a third function, Y3 = Y2*∆𝑥
𝜋
(In our example, that would be Y2* 10). Get the Y2 by using VARS Y-
VARSFUNCTION  Y2 .
11. Pressing Shift-GRAPH (TABLE) again now gives you three columns, showing xi, f(xi ),
and Ai.
12. Going back to TBLSET and changing TblStart to 0 for left or 1 for right will switch you
between left-hand and Right-hand sums.