Solving Definite Integrable and Non-integrable
Functions through Numerical Methods of
Integration
Kian Paolo M. Manoles, BSChE 1C
Kianpaolomelitante.manoles@bicol-u.edu.ph
Abstract: Numerical Analysis is very important
to engineers. It needs different algorithms. These
algorithms need numerical approximation to
solve different problems for mathematical
analysis. In engineering analysis, accurate and
relevant data is needed. The main objective of
this paper is to observe behaviors and
characteristics of methods of numerical
integration used as well as some special
functions. Such statistical methods were also
applied: the average, the standard deviation and
the percent error formula to understand more
about their behaviors. The results show that the
trapezoidal rule has the highest percent error
among all of the numerical methods while the
Romberg method has the least percent error
indicating that it is the most accurate in all of
numerical methods. Furthermore, as the orders
of Romberg method increases, its value is
increasing towards its theoretical value. The
mean and standard deviation indicates how far
the data are from the average which tells us that
there are certain functions may or may not have
higher percent error on more simple numerical
methods. For the case of non-integrable
functions, such observations were made that the
values for the area in all of the methods of
integration were fluctuating. The researcher
concluded that as we go on to more complex
numerical methods, the value becomes nearer to
the exact value of the integral. Non-integrable
functions have unusual data and it is fluctuating
and therefore methods of integration may or may
not be use depending whether they have a
theoretical value.
Introduction
In today's era, everyone is very familiar
with technologies. A computer is the most
prominent medium for transactions. Numerical
integration can deftly perform by the use of
computer applications. MS Excel is a convenient
application in solving numerical integration
methods. It's a big help for engineers in data
gathering and analysis.
The definite integral of a function over
an interval is equal to the difference between the
values of an antiderivative evaluated at the
endpoints of the interval.' The antiderivatives are
related to definite integrals. Unfortunately, some
functions have no simple antiderivatives or
cannot possibly be solved by analytical methods.
Hence, using numerical integration methods, the
approximate value of the equation is obtained.
Numerical Integration Methods are an
easy way to get the approximate value of an
integral. Using numerical methods, Engineers
are not only about solving a lot of mathematical
equations. But, it helps engineers to lessen the
need for the many hypotheses and idealization of
the conditions. There are different techniques to
be used: Trapezoidal Rule, Simpson's one-third
Rule, Simpson's three-digit rule, Five-point
quadrature Formula, For multiple Points: For
N+1 points where (N+1)/3 is an integer odd, For
N+1 points where (N+1)/3 is an integer even,
and Romberg's Method. These basic techniques
are a big help in calculating the approximate
value and the error of definite integrals.
Trapezoidal Rule is a method wherein the area
under the curves is evaluated. The area under the
curve is divided into many trapezoidal divisions
instead of using rectangles.
Among the seven basic numerical
methods, Romberg's method is the most
accurate. It's a combination of Composite
Trapezoidal Rule and Richardson Extrapolation.
It is said to be the most precise method because
its divisions are severed multiple times. If the
divisions increase, the accuracy level also
increases.
The researcher compares the seven
numerical integration methods. Also, the
researcher proves that the Romberg method is
the most accurate method among the seven basic
techniques and to determine the approximate
values, the relative error, and the absolute error
of integral using numerical methods.
METHODOLOGY
The researcher used Microsoft Excel for
collecting data as well as analysis. The Excel file
consists of 2 parts. The first part consists of
Integrable and non-Integrable functions while
the second part consists of trigonometric
functions where the upper and lower limits are
integers. The theoretical values for the functions
were computed using a calculator.
The following equations were input in excel for
integration of certain functions:
Equation (1) is the Trapezoidal Rule where the lower
and upper limits are x0 and x1, respectively.
Equation (2) is the Simpson’s One-third Rule where
the lower and upper limits are x0 and x2, respectively.
Equation (4) is the Five-point Quadrature Formula
where the upper and lower limits are x0 and x4.
Equation (5) is for Multiple Points where (N+1)/3
and N/3 are integers and the upper and lower limits
are x0 and xN, respectively
Equation (6) is for Multiple Points where N is even
and the upper and lower limits are x0 and xN,
Equation (7) is for Romberg Method where
n is the level of Romberg integration. Before
computing for the Romberg method, the researcher
must divide the trapezoidal into series of
subdivisions. For An (the trapezoidal division), let n
be the square of an integer. Afterwards, find the first
half of the value of h for A1. Find the second half of h
again for A2 and then its half again until you can
reach the highest subdivision that you can solve. The
value of h per subdivision has a dollar sign in their
cells (say $C$5) so that when the divisions are
dragged down, the latest value will be equal to the
upper limit of the integral. This is an indication that
the inputted values are correct. The lower limit per
subdivision will always be equal to the given lower
limit.
Equation (8) is for the values of x M
between the upper and lower limits to be used
for equations 2-7.
After getting the values of the numerical
integration, the following statistical methods
were used to help in interpreting the data:
percent error, the mean or average
[AVERAGE(cells)] and standard deviation
[STDEV(cells)]. The researcher used the excel
functions for these statistical methods.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS