Pitfalls

Here are some (but not all) of the common problems associated with the exercise.

Code

• Data types -- make sure your choice of int or double is appropriate for the variable. Remember the effects of integer division!
• Loop counters should be integers to avoid rounding errors.
• Don't forget to initialise variables where necessary.
• Limit the scope of variable declarations to the minimum required.

Method

• Beware of limitations of the Trapezium rule.
• Understand the behaviour of the function before trying to integrate it.
• Choose N to reach a reasonably accurate result. Vary N to understand the accuracy.
• The function must not be sharply concentrated in peak(s) -- this implies f'' is large.
• The function must be characterised by a single length scale (i.e. y range does not cover several orders of magnitude) -- again, this implies f'' is large.