What is the integral of x*sin(ax)?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of the functions x*sin(ax) and 1/x*sin(ax). Participants explore integration techniques, particularly integration by parts, and express uncertainty regarding the integrals of these products and their potential complexities.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks for the integral of x*sin(ax) and mentions a specific interval for integration.
  • Several participants suggest using integration by parts, providing formulas and steps for integrating x*sin(ax), with some variations in their expressions.
  • Another participant introduces the integral of 1/x*sin(ax) and expresses frustration with the complexity of the integral.
  • A later reply discusses the lack of a primitive for the function sin(x)/x, suggesting that numerical methods and series expansions may be necessary for integration.
  • One participant acknowledges the difficulty of integrating 1/x*sin(ax) and refers to previous attempts at solving it.
  • Another participant humorously notes the challenges of recalling book titles related to integral tables, indicating uncertainty in their references.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the use of integration by parts for x*sin(ax), but there is uncertainty and disagreement regarding the integrability of 1/x*sin(ax) and the existence of a primitive for sin(x)/x.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the correctness of their integration steps and the titles of referenced books, indicating potential limitations in their claims.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in integration techniques, particularly in the context of products of functions and the challenges of integrating certain forms, may find this discussion relevant.

ponjavic
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What is the integral of x*sin(x) and x*sin(ax)?
I have no idea since I have neveer integrated something to get a product...
Ohh, it's supposed to be integrated from 0 to 1 for the sin(ax)
 
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Use "integration by parts".

From the product rule for derivatives, d(uv)/dx= u(dv/dx)+ v(du/dx). We can write that in "differential" form as d(uv)= u dv+ vdu and then rewrite it as

u dv= d(uv)- vdu.

Integrating both sides gives the integral formula
[tex]\int u dv= uv- \int vdu[/tex].

In particular, to integrate x sin(ax), let u= x, dv= sin(ax) dx. Then du= dx and
v= -(1/a)cos(ax) so
[tex]\int x sin(ax)dx= -(\frac{1}{a}x cos(ax)+ \frac{1}{a}\int cos(ax) dx[/tex]

[tex]= -\frac{1}{a}(x cos(x)+ \frac{1}{a}sin(ax))[/tex].
 
HallsofIvy said:
Use "integration by parts".
In particular, to integrate x sin(ax), let u= x, dv= sin(ax) dx. Then du= dx and
v= -(1/a)cos(ax) so
[tex]\int x sin(ax)dx= -(\frac{1}{a}x cos(ax)+ \frac{1}{a}\int cos(ax) dx[/tex]

[tex]= -\frac{1}{a}(x cos(x)+ \frac{1}{a}sin(ax))[/tex].

Sorry,there's a minus,a paranthesis too much and an "a" missing:
[tex]\int x sin(ax)dx= -\frac{1}{a}x cos(ax)+ \frac{1}{a}\int cos(ax) dx[/tex]

[tex]= -\frac{1}{a}[x cos(ax)- \frac{1}{a}sin(ax)][/tex]
 
and if its / ? =) as in sin(ax)/x
Or is it so easy that I can do it by myself, don't have time right now...
 
This is what I seem to get, very annoying
[tex]\int(sin(ax)\frac{1}{x})=sin(ax) ln(x)+\int(ln(x) cos(ax))[/tex]
or
[tex]\int(\frac{1}{x}sin(ax))=-\frac{1}{x}cos(ax)+\int(\frac{1}{x^2}cos(ax))[/tex]

Any ideas? Are any of the following integrals easy to do?
 
did u try setting u=x and dv=sin(ax)dx ?
this is what i got
[tex]\int xsin(ax) dx=-\frac{x}{a}cos(ax) +\frac{1}{a}\int cos(ax) dx[/tex]
[tex]= -\frac{x}{a}cos(ax)+\frac{1}{a^2}sin(ax)[/tex]
 
heh vladimir, I understand the xsin(ax) integral but now I am trying to do 1/x*sin(ax) is this possible? If you look at my previous post you'll see me trying to integrate 1/x*sin(ax)
 
That's because there is no primitive of the function sinx/x.
I assume you know that ordinary functions can be differentiated and the result be another "familiar" function.But this does not apply for primitives.There are functions like sinx/x,cos/x,exp(x^2),etc. which do not have primitives.That is,u cannot find a function which to differentiate to get the function you wish to integrate.
However,numerical methods based on Taylor/Mac Laurin formula(s) can be used to obtain results.For example,to find the primitive of sinx/x,u need to expand sinx and divide each term of the expansion term by x and integrate the results.You'll have then a new infinite series,which could be seen as the Taylor/Mac Laurin exapansion of the function u are looking for.
This thing works for functions which "behave" pretty well as to apply Taylor/Mac Laurin formula(s) to them.The 3 examples i have stated prove this assertion.
To find definite integral values for the 3 functions mentioned above,try to get a hand on 2 books:M.Abramowitz,I.Segun:"Mathematical functions and tables" and Rytzhik and Gradstein:"Tables of integrals" and search for sine integral function,cosine integral function and erf(error) function.

P.S.I'm not at the library anymore,so from now on,when i give indications to certain books always doubt the veridicity of the names and titles stated,as i give them from my memory to which i have no recollection of having ever been treated with glucosis.So it cold fail me someday.Hopefully not soon.
 
Last edited:
Thanks man, I was expecting the likes...
 

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