NUMERICAL INTEGRATION :

Evaluation of Integral
b
I   f ( x)dx
a

is of common occurrence in Mathematics or engineering

Sciences. in many cases function y=f(x)is such that the integral
I cannot be evaluated analytically. Numerical integration is
required to be used in such instances.

If function y=f(x) is defined by set of points (xi, yi) i =

1,2,3.....n then also numerical technique must be employed. To
develop numerical methods of integration, we use Geometrical
interpretation of I. in elementary integral calculus it is already
seen that T represents the area under curve y = f(x), bounded by
ordinates x=a, x=b and X-axis i.e. area ABCD
When function y = f(x) is not known but set of points (xi, yi) i =
0(1)n lying on curve y= f(x) are given, area ABCD is
determined by breaking it into several strips, determination of
area gives the value of integral I.
Various methods to determine area ABCD are
1. TRAPEZOIDAL RULE.
2. SIMPONE'S 1/3rd RULE.
3. SIMPONE'S 3/8th RULE.