Area of Continental United States

[complexity]

So in my AP Calculus class my teacher gave us a project where we have to find the area of the continental United States by using the rectangle method (Areas Under a curve).... so I know how to use the method...but gosh the US is SO weird shaped and we are not given an equation...any ideas on where to begin?

 

[stapel]

any ideas on where to begin?

At a guess, take a map with a given scale (0.5 inches to 250 miles, etc), and use graph paper. Put a sheet over the map, and shade boxes as best you can. Then make a guess.

(Since the area is known, you can check your answers for degree of accuracy, using a smaller-grid paper, for instance, if you deem this necessary.)

Eliz.