BOHOL ISLAND STATE UNIVERSITY – MAIN CAMPUS

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE, AND INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

ME 325
ME LABORATORY 1
A.Y. 2023-2024

EXPERIMENT NO. 1
MEASURING GEOMETRICAL QUANTITIES OF CLOSED CURVES USING THE
NUMERICAL APPROACH

GERTRUDE MARIZ R. PINTOR

BSME 4A

ENGR. JUANITO ORIGINES JR.

INSTRUCTOR

07 OCTOBER 2023
 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Topic

Area, a fundamental mathematical concept representing the measurement of two-

dimensional space, holds practical significance across various fields, including everyday tasks
(Russell, 2019). The origin of the word is from ‘area’ in Latin, which referred to an empty
expanse of flat terrain. From this, it evolved to signify a specific quantity of space enclosed
within defined boundaries.

The earliest documented application of area calculations dates back to ancient Babylon,
where they were employed to assess land ownership for taxation purposes. In 287 BC, the Greek
mathematician Archimedes made notable progress in comprehending areas and perimeters of
circles and the relationships involving spheres. Archimedes is credited as the first to offer formal
proofs for these concepts, including early proofs for calculating sphere volume and surface area,
although others may have recognized them earlier (Vedantu, n.d.).

Today, geometric areas continue to play a fundamental role in mathematics, finding

applications in diverse fields such as architecture, physics, engineering, computer graphics, and
artificial intelligence. This ongoing pursuit of mathematical exploration and innovation continues
to enhance our understanding of the world.

1.2 Principles Involved and Governing Equations

1.2.1 Measurement of Coordinates

Coordinate systems are essential tools for applying algebraic techniques to understand
geometric concepts. While Cartesian coordinates, often referred to as rectangular coordinates, are
the prevalent choice, certain problems benefit from the more effective analysis provided by
alternative coordinate systems.

In a two dimensional plane, each point in the plane is represented by a pair of values
(x , y ), with x denoting the value of x-coordinate and y indicating the value of y-coordinate. To
determine coordinates, trace a vertical line for the x-coordinate and a horizontal line for the y-
coordinate.

In the rectangular coordinate system, definite integrals help compute the area beneath a
curve. If you have a function y=f (x ) from x=a to x=b , where f (x)>0 within this range, you
can find the area between the curve and the x-axis using the integral formula

b
A=∫ f (x ) dx
a
1.2.2 Trapezoidal Rule

The trapezoidal rule calculates definite integrals by approximating the area under a curve
using a series of trapezoids. Unlike the rectangular method, it breaks down the entire curve into
smaller trapezoidal segments to make this approximation. The trapezoidal rule formula is

∆x
A=
2
[ f ( x 0 ) +2 f ( x 1 ) +…+ 2 f ( x n−1 ) + f ( x n ) ]
where:

b−a
∆ x=
n

1.2.3 Simpson’s Rule

Simpson's Rule, a mathematical formula, offers a straightforward approach for

determining the area and volume of various shapes, making it a more accessible alternative to
complex methods like calculus. It divides an interval into equal sections, uses parabolas to
estimate the area within each section, and sums up these polynomial approximations to calculate
the total area under a curve. The formula for Simpson’s Rule is

∆x
A=
3
[ f ( x 0 ) + 4 f ( x 1 ) +2 f ( x 2 ) +…+2 f ( xn −2 ) + 4 f ( x n−1 ) + f ( x n ) ]
where:

b−a
∆ x=
n

1.2.4 Durand’s Rule

Durand developed a set of approximation techniques for numerical integration. These

algorithms primarily relied on interpolating formulas involving trapezoids and parabolas,
corresponding to the most basic formulas within the Newton-Cotes family of quadrature rules.
Thus, the Durand’s Rule formula is given by

A=∆ x
[ 2
5
11 11 2
f ( x 0 ) + f ( x 1 ) + f ( x 2) + …+ f ( x n−2 ) + f ( x n−1 ) + f ( x n )
10 10 5 ]
where:

b−a
∆ x=
n
1.2.5 Arithmetic Mean

In statistics, the arithmetic mean is simply the result of dividing the sum of all
observations by the total number of observations within a dataset. The formula for calculating
the arithmetic mean of a given data is
 1
n
X + X +…+ X n−1+ X n
X = ∑ Xi= 1 2
n i=1 n

1.2.6 Standard Error of the Arithmetic Mean

The standard error of the mean, abbreviated as SEM, is a statistical tool employed to
assess the standard deviation within a sampling distribution. It illustrates the extent to which the
mean changes across various experiments measuring the same quantity. It's important to note that
the SEM is consistently smaller than the standard deviation (SD). SEM is calculated by the
formula

s
SEM =
√n
where s is the standard deviation of the given sample.

1.2.7 Standard Deviation

The standard deviation, in descriptive statistics, quantifies the extent of data point
dispersion or their distribution relative to the mean. It indicates the degree to which values are
distributed within a data sample and serves as a measure of how data points vary from the mean.
The formula for standard deviation is given by

√ √
2 2
1
n
( X 1 −X ) +…+ ( X n− X )
s= ∑
n−1 i=1
(
2
X i−X ) =
n−1

1.3 Objectives

The main objective of this paper is to conduct an experiment measuring the geometric
quantity, specifically area, of closed curves using the numerical approach.

The following are the specific objectives of the experiment:

1. To calculate the area bounded by the drawn closed curves using the numerical approach
2. To determine the standard error between the set of sample data with the aid of arithmetic
mean
3. To examine the possible factors or causes of error between the set of sample data
 METHODOLOGY

This section outlines the materials, apparatus, and procedures essential for fully executing
the experiment. These elements are crucial in obtaining the necessary data of the experiment.

2.1 Materials and Apparatus

Materials and Apparatus Image Description / Usage

essential for accurately

measuring and drawing
Ruler/ T-square
mathematical figures and
geometric shapes

used to create intricate

figures, ensuring uniformity
Architectural Stencils
and accuracy in replicating
specific shapes

versatile writing instruments

commonly used for note-
Mechanical Pencil / Pens
taking and general writing
needs

essential in accurately
plotting geometrical figures
Graphing / Grid Paper
and visualizing mathematical
relationships

instrumental in determining
the area of a closed curve,
Scientific Calculator
especially when dealing with
complex shapes.

used for documenting the

sketched figures, raw data,
Record Book
and detailed solutions of the
experiment
2.2 Procedure
2.2.1 Creating the Figures

Utilize the pen, ruler, stencils, and grid paper to sketch the necessary figure for the
experiment. You can choose any size of the figure in the stencil as long as it corresponds to the
required figure.

2.2.2 Determining the Necessary Details

Once the figure has been plotted on the graph, determine the necessary measurements of
the figure such as radius, base, height, width, and length. Additionally, pinpoint the coordinates
where the x and y-axes intersect on the grid. Consider using a table to record this information.

2.2.3 Calculating the Area Using the Various Approaches

Now, using the provided data, proceed to compute the areas enclosed by the closed curve.
Substitute the respective values into the formulas for the Trapezoidal, Simpson's, and Durand's
methods. However, for the calculated column, employ the precise geometric formula
corresponding to the specific figure to obtain the area.

2.2.4 Evaluating the Mean and Error

Utilizing a specific set of values associated with a given figure, we can compute its mean.
The mean is determined by adding up the values of the figure's areas and dividing this sum by
the total number of values. Continuously, the standard error of mean can be calculated by
dividing the standard deviation of the values by the square root of the total number of values.

2.2.5 Repeat

Repeat the process for all the remaining required figures, e.g. circle, ellipse, hexagon,
parabola, and irregular curve. Apply the appropriate formulas for each shape, ensuring accurate
calculations and recording of the results.
 DATA

In this section, the data of the experiment is presented, laying the groundwork for the
subsequent analysis that culminates in the formulation of conclusions.

3.1 Circle
xn 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
f(xn) 0 13 17 19 20 `9 17 13 0

3.2 Ellipse
xn 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
f(xn) 0 9 12.5 14 15.5 16 16 15.5 14 12.5 9 0

3.3 Hexagon
xn 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
f(xn) 10 15 20 25 25 25 25 25 20 15 10

3.4 Parabola
xn 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
f(xn) 0 22 28 30.5 30.5 28 22 0

3.5 Irregular Curve

xn 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
f(xn) 0 7 13.5 16 19 22 25 17 8.5 0

3.6 Calculated Areas of the Figures

Area in mm2
Figure
Trapezoidal Simpson Durand Calculated
Circle 1048.89 853.33 1072 1256.64
Ellipse 1228.33 928.89 1244.83 1382.3
Hexagon 1863.64 1424.24 1872.73 2050
Parabola 704.38 597.92 723.63 723.33
Irregular
576 430.5 582.98 640
Curve

3.7 Arithmetic Mean and Error

Figure Arithmetic Mean Standard Deviation Error
Circle 1057.71 164.95 82.47
Ellipse 1196.09 191.04 95.82
Hexagon 1802.65 266.46 133.23
Parabola 687.31 1202.6 601.3
Irregular Curve 909.87 416.71 208.36
 ANALYSIS

The experiment employed millimeters (mm) as the metric unit, resulting in calculated
areas expressed in square millimeters (mm²). Initially, we determined the sets of coordinates for
each figure, as detailed in tables 3.1 to 3.5. These sets of values serve as the foundation for
computing the areas of the figures through various methods.

Table 3.6 illustrates a set of values of areas of the figures based on the approach
employed, reflecting the distinct principles underlying each method. Notably, Durand's approach
yields the closest values of the calculated area.

Furthermore, when examining Table 3.7, we find that the hexagon exhibits the highest
mean value, while the circle demonstrates the lowest error based on their respective means.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

When contrasting the computed area values obtained from established area formulas with
those derived from specific rules, it becomes evident that Durand's approach provides the closest
approximation to the actual area of a given figure. Consequently, Durand's rule is highly
recommendable for accurate area calculations. If accuracy is your objective, opting for Durand's
approach is the ideal choice when determining the area of a particular figure.

Moreover, upon analyzing the standard mean error, it becomes evident that the circle
exhibits the smallest discrepancy in calculated areas. Consequently, it can be affirmed that the
circle figure demonstrates minimal variations in calculated areas when employing the three
different approaches.
 REFERENCES

Simpson’s Rule - The Easy Way to Calculate Areas and Volumes. (2023, January 10).
Unacademy. https://unacademy.com/content/gate/study-material/civil-engineering/
simpsons-rule/#:~:text=intersect%20each%20other.-,Ans%3A%20The%20formula
%20for%20Simpson's%20Rule%3A%20Area%20%3D%20(h,of%20first%20and
%20last%20terms.
Trapezoidal rule - formula | Trapezoidal formula. (n.d.). Cuemath.
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Vedantu. (n.d.). Area. VEDANTU. https://www.vedantu.com/maths/area

Russell, D. (2019b). Importance of the math concept area. ThoughtCo.

https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-area-2312366

Coordinate system and ordered pairs. (n.d.). [Video]. Mathplanet.

https://www.mathplanet.com/education/pre-algebra/introducing-algebra/coordinate-
system-and-ordered-pairs

Standard deviation - formula | How to calculate standard deviation? (n.d.). Cuemath.

https://www.cuemath.com/data/standard-deviation/

Chen, J. (2021). Arithmetic mean: definition, limitations, and alternatives. Investopedia.

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/arithmeticmean.asp