Simpson's rule

noun

Simp·​son's rule ˈsim(p)-sənz- How to pronounce Simpson's rule (audio)
: a method for approximating the area under a curve over a given interval that involves partitioning the interval by an odd number n + 1 of equally spaced ordinates and adding the areas of the n/2 figures formed by pairs of successive odd-numbered ordinates and the parabolas which they determine with their included even-numbered ordinates

Word History

Etymology

Thomas Simpson †1761 English mathematician

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Simpson's rule was in 1851

Dictionary Entries Near Simpson's rule

Cite this Entry

“Simpson's rule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Simpson%27s%20rule. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!