Is My Biomechanics Integration Solution Correct?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a specific integration problem encountered in a biomechanics project. Participants share their attempts to solve the integral and compare their results, expressing uncertainty about the correctness of their solutions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents an integration problem and their solution, seeking verification from others.
  • Multiple participants express difficulty accessing the provided links to the problem and solution.
  • Another participant provides a different solution using Mathematica, which does not match the original solution presented.
  • Concerns are raised about the consistency of variable notation (V vs. v) in the equations, which may affect the results.
  • Some participants note discrepancies in signs and logarithmic terms in their solutions, leading to further discussion about potential errors.
  • There is a suggestion that Mathematica's output is reliable, with participants leaning towards its solution despite their own differing results.
  • Clarification is provided that "log" in Mathematica refers to the natural logarithm (ln), which is a point of confusion for some participants.
  • Participants express a willingness to model using the Mathematica solution while seeking further validation from a professor.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct solution to the integration problem, as multiple competing answers are presented, and uncertainty remains regarding the validity of each approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention issues with variable notation and sign discrepancies, which may influence the outcomes of their calculations. There is also a reliance on Mathematica's output, but not all participants agree on its correctness.

mtech
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Integration problem - Please help! :(

Hey everybody,

I'm doing a project for a biomechanics class, and I've been stuck on trying to integrate this one equation! To say the least, it's been driving me crazy. My brother helped me to get to an answer, although we are both unsure if it is correct, if someone could so kindly check it out and let me know if you get the same results I would GREATLY appreciate it. Thanks so much.

Here is the question:


http://image.pbase.com/u42/mtech/medium/27611600.Dscf0019.jpg

And this is what I got as my solution:

http://genji.image.pbase.com/u42/mtech/medium/27611611.Dscf0020.jpg

You will probably have to copy and paste those links if they don't work by clicking.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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I can't get those links to work, tried copy/paste too.
 
Thanks Braumin, original links are fixed, if you right click and "copy shortcut" and then paste, it should work :smile:
 
Um..I still can't get the link. Its forbidden for some reason.

- Harsh
 
The equation is

[tex]\int_0^h \,dy = -\int_{\sqrt{2gD}}^0 \frac{v}{g + \frac{KA}{2m}v^2} \, dv[/tex]

His answer is

[tex]y = \frac{m}{KA} \ln{(g + \frac{KAgD}{m})}[/tex]

Which, at least, Mathematica doesn't agree with.

[tex]\sqrt{\frac{2m}{A g K}} \arctan{\left(\sqrt{\frac{ADgK}{gm}\right)}[/tex]

cookiemonster
 
Last edited:
Not to nitpick, but the RHS should be h instead of y.
 
Hm...

I think the reason mathematica isn't agreeing is because you have the V in the numerator different from the v in the denominator. This would explain the arctan, as the "dx/(1+u^2)" structure can be seen in his problem, if the v(V?)'s are different. I <i>almost</i> got what you got, except for one tiny thing. it's -m/KA[ <b>ln|g|</b> - all that other stuff] (because there is a zero in the integrand, when you plug in zero for g, you'll get ln|g + 0|... do you see that?). But besides that, excellent work.
 
Ah, the joys of handwriting. Sorry about that.

Mathematica now gives:

[tex]\frac{m\,\left( -\log (g\,m) + \log (g\,\left( A\,D\,K + m \right) ) \right) }{A\,K}[/tex]

I just wanted to see if Mathematica's TeX output worked, actually...

cookiemonster
 
Last edited:
Hmm... I did it by hand (subsitution, t = g + 1/2 kA/m v^2) and got this:

[tex]y = -\frac{m}{kA}ln(1 + \frac{kAD}{m})[/tex]

Which is the same as mathematica returned, but with an extra minus sign. Is it an error on my behalf?
 
  • #10
Wow, yeah, I've been getting a few different answers from people. A few others have gotten what my brother and I ended up with. But I went to school today and plugged it into mathematica and came up with the same as cookiemonsters second solution. Oh and ahrkon, you are right, I made a mistake while copying it out. Thanks for the correction.
 
  • #11
I'd guess Mathematica's right. I've never seen it wrong before.

Did you remember the minus sign when differentiating t?

cookiemonster
 
  • #12
philosophking said:
I think the reason mathematica isn't agreeing is because you have the V in the numerator different from the v in the denominator. This would explain the arctan, as the "dx/(1+u^2)" structure can be seen in his problem, if the v(V?)'s are different. I <i>almost</i> got what you got, except for one tiny thing. it's -m/KA[ <b>ln|g|</b> - all that other stuff] (because there is a zero in the integrand, when you plug in zero for g, you'll get ln|g + 0|... do you see that?). But besides that, excellent work.


Hmm, yeah, that makes sense. Thanks philosophking :)
 
  • #13
cookiemonster said:
I'd guess Mathematica's right. I've never seen it wrong before.

Did you remember the minus sign when differentiating t?

cookiemonster


Yeah, I did. I've never used mathematica before, and I actually got my friend to enter it in today between classes. I'm pretty much between the mathematica answer and my original answer. If mathematica is as reliable as you say it is, I will go with it. I've tried using both answers in my modeling project and they both produce reasonable figures.

Oh, by the way, I was told that when mathematica puts out "log" it means "ln"...is this correct?
 
  • #14
Yes, log = ln. Get used to seeing it that way. It happens more and more often the higer the level classes you're taking and it's standard for mathematical references like CRC or Mathematica. I'm not sure if Maple does it, but I imagine it does as well.

philosophking was mentioning something about that negative. Maybe you should read his post?

cookiemonster
 
  • #15
Yep, I already replied to his post above. I took a look at it, and I do believe he is correct about the negative, at least it makes sense to me. Although, for now I will model using the mathematica equation and get it looked over by my prof.

Thanks again everyone, much appreciated :smile:

Cheers
 
  • #16
hehe...

I'm glad I could be of help!
 
  • #17
cookiemonster said:
I'd guess Mathematica's right. I've never seen it wrong before.

Did you remember the minus sign when differentiating t?

cookiemonster

Nope, I missed it. :rolleyes:
 

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