Numerical Integration - The Trapezoidal Rule

• Given the function, $f(x)$, the antiderivative is a function $F(x)$ such that $F'(x)=f(x)$. The definite integral
  $$\int_a^b f(x)dx=F(b) - F(a)$$
  can be evaluated from the antiderivative. Still, there are functions that do not have an antiderivative expressible in terms of ordinary functions.
• Is there any way that the definite integral can be found when the antiderivative is unknown? We can do it numerically.
• The definite integral is the area between the curve of $f(x)$ and the $x$-axis. That is the principle behind all numerical integration-we divide the distance from $x=a$ to $x= b$ into vertical strips and add the areas of these strips (the strips are often made equal in widths but that is not always required).