Riemann Sum Calculator

Approximate the integral of x^n over an interval using a left Riemann sum with n rectangles.

Exact Val

0.333333

Rect Width0.100000
Error Est0.050000

Riemann Sums

Concept

A Riemann sum approximates the area under a curve by dividing the interval into rectangles:

1. Divide [a, b] into n equal subintervals, each of width Δx = (b-a)/n 2. For each subinterval, evaluate the function at the left endpoint 3. Sum the areas: S = sum of f(xᵢ) × Δx

As n → infinity

The Riemann sum converges to the exact definite integral. More rectangles = better approximation.

Example Calculation

Approximate the integral of x² from 0 to 1 with 10 rectangles.

  1. 01Δx = (1-0)/10 = 0.1
  2. 02Left endpoints: 0, 0.1, 0.2, ..., 0.9
  3. 03Sum = (0² + 0.1² + 0.2² + ... + 0.9²) × 0.1
  4. 04Exact value = 1³/3 = 0.333333...

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