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A cylinder of radius 2cm and length 10cm is formed from a metal alloy. The density, ρ, of the cylinder changes along the length of the rod according to the function

ρ(x)=(1.2+ex)g cm3,0x10

A researcher needs a quick estimate for the mass of the rod, and so he splits the rod into 5 sections of equal width and assumes the density is constant along each section, where the density of the first section is assumed to be ρ(0), and so on.

  1. By forming a Riemann sum, calculate the researcher's estimate.

  2. By sketching ρ(x), explain whether this is an overestimate or an underestimate.

  3. Describe how the estimate might be improved.

  4. Write an expression using notation for the actual mass of the cylinder.


Recall that

mass=density×volume

Suppose the density of the first section is ρ(0). What is the volume? Therefore, what is the mass?

Do the same for the remaining sections.


Give your answer to (a), to the nearest gram.