This method is used in survey as a method of numerical integration to approximate definite integrals

hence areas under curves.

DERIVATION

Consider approximating the area of the region bound by the curve.

𝑦(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 Between 𝑥 = −ℎ to 𝑥 = ℎ

By exact method: 𝐴 𝑥=ℎ 𝑎𝑥3 𝑏𝑥2

1=∫𝑥=−ℎ 𝑎𝑥 2 +𝑏𝑥+𝑐)𝑑𝑥=[ + +𝑐𝑥]
3 2

𝑎ℎ3 𝑏ℎ3 −𝑎ℎ3 𝑏ℎ3 2𝑎ℎ3

=[ + + 𝑐ℎ] − [ + − 𝑐ℎ] + 2𝑐ℎ
3 2 3 2 3

𝐴 2𝑎ℎ3 ……………………. (i)

1= +2𝑐ℎ
3

When 𝑥 = −ℎ 𝑦0 = 𝑎(−ℎ2 ) + 𝑏(−ℎ) + 𝑐

𝑦0 = 𝑎ℎ2 − 𝑏ℎ + 𝑐 ……………….. (ii)
When𝑥 = 0 𝑦1 = 𝑎(02 ) + 𝑏(0) + 𝑐
𝑦1 = 𝑐 ……………….. (iii)
When 𝑥 = ℎ 𝑦2 = 𝑎(ℎ2 ) + 𝑏(ℎ) + 𝑐
𝑦2 = 𝑎ℎ2 + 𝑏ℎ + 𝑐 ……………….. (iv)
Substitute: 𝑦1 = 𝑐 into equation (ii) and (iv) then add. 𝑦0 = 𝑎ℎ2 − 𝑏ℎ + 𝑦1
𝑦2 = 𝑎ℎ2 + 𝑏ℎ + 𝑦1
𝑦0 + 𝑦2 = 2𝑎ℎ2 + 2𝑦1
𝑦0 + 𝑦2 − 2𝑦1 = 2𝑎ℎ2 .................... (v)
Substitute (iii) and (iv) in (i)
ℎ
𝐴1 = 2𝑎ℎ2 + 2𝑐ℎ
3
ℎ
𝐴1 = (𝑦 + 𝑦2 − 2𝑦1 ) + 2𝑦1 ℎ
3 0
ℎ(𝑦0 + 𝑦2 − 2𝑦1 ) + 6𝑦1 ℎ
=
3
 ℎ
𝐴1 = (𝑦 + 4𝑦1 + 𝑦2 )
3 0
ℎ 𝑦
Similarly 𝐴2 = (𝑦2 + 4𝑦3 + )
3 4
ℎ 𝑦
𝐴3 = (𝑦4 + 4𝑦5 + )
3 6
ℎ
𝐴4 = (𝑦6 + 4𝑦6 + 𝑦8 )
3

TOTAL AREA: A= 𝐴1 + 𝐴2 + 𝐴3 + 𝐴4
ℎ
[𝑦0 + 4(𝑦1 + 𝑦3 + 𝑦5 + 𝑦7 ) + 2(𝑦2 + 𝑦4 + 𝑦6 + 𝑦8 )]
3

Simpsons rule in which n must be even giving an odd number of ordinates:

𝑥𝑛
1
∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 ≈ ℎ{(𝑦0 + 𝑦𝑛 ) + 4(𝑦1 + 𝑦3 + ⋯ + 𝑦𝑛−1 )
3
𝑥0
+ 2(𝑦2 + 𝑦4 + ⋯ + 𝑦𝑛−2 )}

ASSIGNMENT PART 2
CHAINAGE: 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
OFFSETS: 0 5.49 9.14 8.53 10.67 12.5 9.75 4.57 1.83 0

SOLUTION.
1
(20){(0 + 1.83) + 4(5.49 + 8.53 + 12.5 + 4.57) + 2(9.14 + 10.67 + 9.75)}
3

= 1235.40 𝑚2
AREA OF TRIANGLE
1
× 20 × 1.83 = 18.30 𝑚2
2
Therefore 1235.40 + 18.30 = 1253.70 𝑚2 or 0.1253 ℎ𝑎