Using measuring method to find area of enclosed plane region and volume of enclosed space region (Q1206064)

This paper describes a method for estimating the area of a given region by subdividing a plane containing the region into squares with side length \(d\). The area of the squares inside the region is easily computed. The area of the parts of the squares crossed by the boundary of the region is approximated by using a piecewise linear approximation to the boundary curve. Assuming appropriate smoothness conditions on the boundary curve for the region, the authors prove that the error for their method is \(O(d^ 2)\). The authors also describe a generalization of the method, which can be used to estimate the volume of a space region enclosed by a surface. In this case, a cube containing the region is subdivided into smaller cubes of side length \(d\). The volume is estimated by adding the volume of the cubes that are completely inside the region to the approximate volume of the inner parts of those cubes that intersect the surface. A linear approximation to the surface is used, and with suitable assumptions, the authors prove that the error in their method for estimating volumes is also \(O(d^ 2)\). The paper is somewhat difficult to follow because of a poor translation into English.