Porisma

A hint to get started

A reciprocal area and the endpoint choice

Example 2 (Self-Reading). The graph y=1/xy=1/x on [1,2][1,2] has nn rectangles of equal width, using right endpoints. Show that their total area is Sn=∑r=1n1n+rS_n=\sum_{r=1}^n\frac1{n+r} and find the exact value of lim⁡n→∞Sn\lim_{n\to\infty}S_n. Teacher check: construct a similar diagram using left endpoints.

CJC · Lecture · Example 2

Label both axes, the endpoints 1 and 2, width 1/n and the chosen endpoint heights.

The overestimate or underestimate depends on both the endpoint choice and whether the curve increases or decreases.

Read the worked solution