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3.7 Numerical methods (A-level only)

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Question 94

The flow rate of a lubricant, QQQ, in litres per hour, through a high-precision valve is modeled by the function Q(t)=3t3t2+1Q(t) = \frac{3t^3}{t^2+1}Q(t)=t2+13t3​, where ttt is the time in hours since the valve was opened for 0≤t≤40 \le t \le 40≤t≤4.

An engineer is attempting to approximate the total volume of lubricant released, V=∫04Q(t) dtV = \int_{0}^{4} Q(t) \, dtV=∫04​Q(t)dt, using the trapezium rule by splitting the interval into nnn equal strips.

a.

When n=4n = 4n=4: (i) State the number of ordinates that the engineer uses. (ii) Calculate the approximation for the total volume VVV using this method. Give your answer correct to two decimal places.

[4]
b.

Show that the exact volume of lubricant released is 24−32ln⁡1724 - \frac{3}{2}\ln 1724−23​ln17 litres. Fully justify your answer.

[4]
c.

Explain what would happen to the engineer's approximation in part (a)(ii) as n→∞n \to \inftyn→∞.

[1]

3.7 Numerical methods (A-level only) Questions

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