> So, the "smart" algorithm should be (untested here.... left as an > exercise :-) > > sum = ( f(a) + f(b) ) / 2. > x = a + h > B = b-h/2 # takes care of round-off error at end point. > > .while x <= B: > . sum += f(x) > . x += h > . > . sum *= h > . return sum > ======== > > André
Your comments and Henrik's are cogent and valuable and provide definite improvements. Plus the discussion is conceptual i.e. we're dealing with nuts and bolts problems that the calculus deals with. So my general question is, as usual: wouldn't this be an interesting and intelligent way to teach math? You get concepts, and you get programming skills, and you start to think about analyzing and fine tuning algorithms. Plus you grow to appreciate the power of the calculus, which gives us close formed expressions so often -- a way to avoid fast for-loops entirely. Kirby _______________________________________________ Edu-sig mailing list Edu-sig@python.org http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/edu-sig
