Justification

 This gives a better approximation than the previous two methods. Hence why we used 100
integrations steps. However, since 3 points are required to define a parabola, an even
number of strips is required for the formula to work. Additionally it’s easy and efficient.
 Like any other approximation rule, Simpson’s works best when the interval is narrow and
the function values over that interval have a similar shape to the approximation device (in
this case, a quadratic curve).
 The precise meaning of these error terms is beyond the scope of this course, but it is worth
noting that, in general, for a function with an increasing gradient, Trapezium Rule will tend
to over-estimate and Mid-ordinate rule will tend to under-estimate (but by half as much).
The appropriate combination of the two, in Simpson’s Rule, eliminates this error term,
giving a rule which will perfectly model anything up to a cubic, and have a proportionately
lower error for any function of greater complexity.
 Even though it is based on locally quadratic approximations of the integrand, it is third-
order exact: if not for rounding error, it will exactly compute the integral of any cubic
polynomial.

Own words

 Provides a better estimation relative to other integration methods, it’s an intuitive and
efficient method to use. Additionally, the more strips being used the lower the error so the
higher number of integrations steps leads to a higher accuracy of the area under curve.
 Simpsons rule is the ideal method to use in which the intervals of x are very close together
and that the actual quadratic or any polynomial curve and values y over the intervals of x
are comparable shaped curves.
 When the slope gets steeper the trapezoid rule tends to over-estimate. This means that
when f(x) concave down the tangent line would lie over the graph. Simpson’s rule
eradicates this error providing a flawless model of any function up to a cubic, and have a
uniformly lower error. This means that the Simpson’s method the f(x) wouldn’t concave up
nor down.
 This method allows you to integrate any cubic polynomial without rounding error, although
this method is predicated on the integral of quadratic functions estimations.

References:

 http://www.thechalkface.net/resources/Numerical_Integration.pdf
 https://web.stanford.edu/group/sisl/k12/optimization/MO-unit4-
pdfs/4.2simpsonintegrals.pdf
 http://r-santaeulalia.net/pdfs/Econ5725_Numerical_Integration_and_Differentiation.pdf