The displayed chart is of the function

measured in radians. We can read fro

estimate the area of the shaded shap
the interval 0 to pi. Wolfram Alpha gi
 played chart is of the function y = sin(x) on the interval x = 0 to pi (pi=3.14), where x is
red in radians. We can read from the chart that sin(0) = 0, sin (pi) = sin (3.14) = 0. The task is to
te the area of the shaded shape under the blue line. That is, to calculate integral of sin(x) on
erval 0 to pi. Wolfram Alpha gives the answer 2:

Our task is to use Excel to approximate the answer. Our Excel model should
work for any interval of x (here, from zero to pi) and for any function (here,
sin(x)).
Solution method: Split the shaded
rectangles. 1,000 rectangles will do
distance between pi and zero, that
pi minus zero, i.e., the upper bound
1,000 pieces, getting the width of e
(if we imagine that the numbers on
each piece would have a width of 3
each rectangle is given by the functi
rectangle has width .00314 and hei
rectangle has the same width, but
(=sin(2*.00314)), etc. Excel can eas
rectangle in a table with 1,000 row
simply w*h, and the total area is th
rectangles. In the chart (not drawn
markers mark 1,000 small intervals
rectangles.
tion method: Split the shaded area into many very narrow
ngles. 1,000 rectangles will do. In our case, we split the
nce between pi and zero, that is, the distance pi (calculated as
nus zero, i.e., the upper bound minus the lower bound) into
0 pieces, getting the width of each piece 3.14/1000 = .00314
e imagine that the numbers on the chart represent meters,
piece would have a width of 3.14 milimeters). The height of
rectangle is given by the function. For example, the first
ngle has width .00314 and height sin(.00314), the second
ngle has the same width, but the height is now sin(.00628)
(2*.00314)), etc. Excel can easily calculate the height of each
ngle in a table with 1,000 rows. The area of each rectangle is
ly w*h, and the total area is the sum of the areas of all
ngles. In the chart (not drawn to scale), I pretend that the
ers mark 1,000 small intervals, and draw the first four
ngles.