Sigma notation simplifies complex sums, making calculations more manageable. It's a powerful tool for representing sequences and series, allowing us to work with large datasets efficiently. This concept is crucial for understanding more advanced mathematical ideas.
Approximating areas under curves is a fundamental application of calculus. By using rectangular approximations and Riemann sums, we can estimate the area under a curve with increasing accuracy. This lays the groundwork for understanding definite integrals and their real-world applications.
Sigma Notation and Summation
Sigma notation for integer sums
- Shorthand notation represents sum of sequence of numbers using Greek letter $\Sigma$
- General form $\sum_{i=a}^{b} f(i)$ where:
- $i$ index of summation (variable changes with each term)
- $a$ lower limit of summation (starting value of $i$)
- $b$ upper limit of summation (ending value of $i$)
- $f(i)$ function or expression being summed ($i^2$, $2i+1$)
- Properties of summation simplify calculations:
- Constant multiple rule $\sum_{i=a}^{b} cf(i) = c\sum_{i=a}^{b} f(i)$ where $c$ constant ($\sum_{i=1}^{5} 3i = 3\sum_{i=1}^{5} i$)
- Sum rule $\sum_{i=a}^{b} [f(i) + g(i)] = \sum_{i=a}^{b} f(i) + \sum_{i=a}^{b} g(i)$ ($\sum_{i=1}^{3} (i^2 + 2i) = \sum_{i=1}^{3} i^2 + \sum_{i=1}^{3} 2i$)
- Difference rule $\sum_{i=a}^{b} [f(i) - g(i)] = \sum_{i=a}^{b} f(i) - \sum_{i=a}^{b} g(i)$ ($\sum_{i=1}^{4} (i^3 - i) = \sum_{i=1}^{4} i^3 - \sum_{i=1}^{4} i$)
- Common summation formulas for integer sequences:
- Sum of integers from 1 to $n$: $\sum_{i=1}^{n} i = \frac{n(n+1)}{2}$ ($\sum_{i=1}^{10} i = \frac{10(11)}{2} = 55$)
- Sum of squares from 1 to $n$: $\sum_{i=1}^{n} i^2 = \frac{n(n+1)(2n+1)}{6}$ ($\sum_{i=1}^{5} i^2 = \frac{5(6)(11)}{6} = 55$)
- Sum of cubes from 1 to $n$: $\sum_{i=1}^{n} i^3 = \left(\frac{n(n+1)}{2}\right)^2$ ($\sum_{i=1}^{4} i^3 = \left(\frac{4(5)}{2}\right)^2 = 100$)
Approximating Areas
Rectangular approximations for curve areas
- Estimate area under a curve by dividing interval into subintervals and using rectangles to approximate area
- Left Riemann sum uses left endpoint of each subinterval to determine rectangle height
- Formula: $L_n = \sum_{i=1}^{n} f(x_{i-1})\Delta x$ where $\Delta x = \frac{b-a}{n}$ and $x_i = a + i\Delta x$
- Underestimates area for increasing functions, overestimates for decreasing functions
- Right Riemann sum uses right endpoint of each subinterval to determine rectangle height
- Formula: $R_n = \sum_{i=1}^{n} f(x_i)\Delta x$ where $\Delta x = \frac{b-a}{n}$ and $x_i = a + i\Delta x$
- Overestimates area for increasing functions, underestimates for decreasing functions
- Midpoint Riemann sum uses midpoint of each subinterval to determine rectangle height
- Formula: $M_n = \sum_{i=1}^{n} f\left(\frac{x_{i-1} + x_i}{2}\right)\Delta x$ where $\Delta x = \frac{b-a}{n}$ and $x_i = a + i\Delta x$
- Generally more accurate than left or right Riemann sums
- Approximations become more accurate and converge to actual area as number of subintervals $n$ increases ($n=10$, $n=100$, $n=1000$)
Upper and Lower Sums
- Upper sum: Uses maximum function value in each subinterval to create rectangles
- Overestimates the area under the curve
- Lower sum: Uses minimum function value in each subinterval to create rectangles
- Underestimates the area under the curve
- As the number of subintervals increases, upper and lower sums converge to the actual area
Riemann sums for definite integrals
- Definite integral $\int_a^b f(x) dx$ represents exact area under curve $f(x)$ from $x=a$ to $x=b$
- Riemann sums approximate definite integral value by summing rectangle areas
- Limit of Riemann sums as number of subintervals approaches infinity equals definite integral:
- $\int_a^b f(x) dx = \lim_{n \to \infty} \sum_{i=1}^{n} f(x_i^)\Delta x$ where $x_i^$ point in $i$-th subinterval and $\Delta x = \frac{b-a}{n}$
- Steps to compute Riemann sum:
- Divide interval $[a, b]$ into $n$ subintervals of equal width $\Delta x = \frac{b-a}{n}$
- Choose point $x_i^*$ in each subinterval (left endpoint, right endpoint, midpoint)
- Evaluate function $f(x_i^*)$ at each chosen point
- Multiply each function value by width $\Delta x$ to find rectangle area
- Sum rectangle areas using sigma notation ($\sum_{i=1}^{n} f(x_i^*)\Delta x$)
- Riemann sum converges to definite integral as $n$ approaches infinity, providing more accurate area approximation ($\lim_{n \to \infty} \sum_{i=1}^{n} f(x_i^*)\Delta x = \int_a^b f(x) dx$)
- The partition of the interval $[a, b]$ into subintervals is crucial for creating Riemann sums