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How is the area of a single rectangle in the Riemann sum constructed from the partition width and the function value at the right endpoint?

The area of a single rectangle is constructed by multiplying the width of the subinterval by the height of the function at the chosen sample point. In the video's specific construction, the interval [0,1][0,1] is divided into nn equal parts, making the width of each rectangle 1n\frac{1}{n}. The height is determined by evaluating the function f(x)f(x) at the right endpoint of the subinterval, which is kn\frac{k}{n} for the kk-th rectangle. Thus, the area of the kk-th rectangle is 1nf(kn)\frac{1}{n} f\left(\frac{k}{n}\right).

Conditions

  • The interval is [0,1][0,1].
  • The interval is divided into nn equal subintervals.
  • The height is evaluated at the right endpoint of each subinterval.
  • The function f(x)f(x) is defined on [0,1][0,1].

Reasoning, step by step

  1. Divide the interval [0,1][0,1] into nn equal parts.
  2. Identify the width of each subinterval as 1n\frac{1}{n}.
  3. Locate the right endpoint of the kk-th subinterval, which has the x-coordinate kn\frac{k}{n}.
  4. Evaluate the function f(x)f(x) at this right endpoint to find the height: f(kn)f\left(\frac{k}{n}\right).
  5. Multiply the width by the height to calculate the area of the kk-th rectangle: 1nf(kn)\frac{1}{n} f\left(\frac{k}{n}\right).

Example

The video explicitly writes the area of the first rectangle as 1nf(1n)\frac{1}{n} f\left(\frac{1}{n}\right) and the second as 1nf(2n)\frac{1}{n} f\left(\frac{2}{n}\right), stating that the width is 1n\frac{1}{n} and the height is the function value at the partition point.

Common misconceptions

  • Confusing the width of the rectangle with the x-coordinate of the endpoint.
  • Assuming the height is the average value of the function over the subinterval rather than the value at a specific sample point.
  • Thinking that the rectangle area formula changes when taking the limit n→∞n \to \infty; the formula for a finite nn remains width times height.

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Answers are generated from source material and independently checked. Consult the original video or creator if something is unclear.