Trapezoidal rule in 4th quadrant (1 Viewer)

[chingyloke]

just wondering...when using the trapezoidal rule..if i have a curve that starts in the 1st quadrant and ends up in the 4th quadrant will i have to take the absolute value of the functions (length of trapezia) that are in the 4th quadrant?

because i'm finding the area of each trapezia right? and length cannot be negative.

the question it arose from was:

Find /(ordinates 2-0) (x-x^2)dx using the trapezoidal rule with 4 trapezia.

thanks.

 

[Timothy.Siu]

i think so

 

[fannymasta]

im guessing it is..

 

[Trebla]

It depends if you're finding the integral or the area...