Help with numerical integration

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the numerical integration of the integral \(\int_0^\infty \frac{1} {(1+x)\sqrt{x}} dx\). Participants explore analytical methods, numerical approaches, and the behavior of the integrand at limits, with a focus on implementing the solution in C programming.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks assistance with the integral and mentions using the trapezium method for numerical integration.
  • Another participant suggests rewriting the integrand using exponent rules, expressing it as \(x^{-3/2}\).
  • A different participant claims that the integral can be computed analytically to yield \(\pi\) and suggests a substitution \(\sqrt{x}=t\).
  • There is a discussion about the limit of the integrand as \(x\) approaches infinity, with one participant questioning if it approaches \(\pi\).
  • Another participant clarifies that the limit of the integral \(P(x)\) as \(x\) approaches infinity is \(\pi\), while the limit of the integrand itself approaches 0.
  • Participants discuss the relationship between the functions \(P(x)\) and \(F(x)\), with one participant noting that \(F(x)\) represents a constant value while \(P(x)\) is a function of \(x\).
  • Clarifications are made regarding the notation used in the definitions of \(P(x)\) and \(F(x)\), emphasizing the distinction between a function and a numerical result.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the analytical result of the integral being \(\pi\) and the behavior of the integrand at limits. However, there is some confusion regarding the notation and the distinction between functions and numerical values, which remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the convergence of the integral and the behavior of the integrand at infinity, which are not fully explored or resolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in numerical integration techniques, analytical methods in calculus, or programming implementations in C may find this discussion beneficial.

Dominguez Scaramanga
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Hello there, I've not been here in a while, but I'm stuck doing this integration and wondered if some of you kind people would help :smile:

[tex]\int_0^\infty \frac{1} {(1+x)\sqrt{x}} dx[/tex]

(appologies for the lack of spacing in there...)

anyways, I know that when x tends to infinity, the integral can be approximated to,


[tex]\int_0^\infty \frac{1} {(x)\sqrt{x}} dx[/tex]

but I can't seem to find this identity in any of my tables anywhere...

The reason I need it is because I'm in the processes of writing some c code to analytically calculate this with a specified degree of acuracy, (am going to use the trapezium method of integration I think) so it would be nice to know if the answers I get out of it are any good or not!

thanks for you time :smile:
 
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use rules of exponents.

1/(x(sqrtx)) = x^(-3/2)
 
awesome, thanks DeadWolfe :)
 
That integral (the first) can be very simply computed analytically to yield the result [itex]\pi[/itex]...Heck,u can even define [itex]\pi[/itex] by it

[tex]\pi=:\int_{0}^{+\infty} \frac{dx}{(1+x)\sqrt{x}}[/tex]

HINT:Make the obvious substitution
[tex]\sqrt{x}=t[/tex]

Daniel.
 
wow, even more helpful, thanks a lot :smile:

also, would I be correct in saying that the limit of the integrand as x-->infinity is pi, in that case?
or have I got completely mudled up? :confused:
 
Define

[tex]P(x)=:\int_{0}^{x} \frac{dt}{(1+t)\sqrt{t}}[/tex]

Show that

[tex]P(x)=2\arctan x[/tex]

Then it's easy to say

[tex]\lim_{x\rightarrow +\infty} P(x)=\pi[/tex]

Not the integrand!The integrands's (inferior) limit to [itex]0[/itex] is [itex]+\infty[/itex],while its limit to [itex]+\infty[/itex] is [itex]0[/itex] (:wink:)

Daniel.
 
thanks very much for your help dextercioby, it'll be most useful!

now all I've got to do is figure out how to do this with C :wink:

also, where you have,

[tex]P(x)=:\int_{0}^{x} \frac{dt}{(1+t)\sqrt{t}}[/tex]

that'll yield the same result as for

[tex]F(x)=:\int_{0}^{+\infty} \frac{dx}{(1+x)\sqrt{x}}[/tex]

with the substitution

[tex]\sqrt{x}=t[/tex]

right?
:smile:
 
Last edited:
Nope.The second (the one with F(x)) is a number,while the first is a function...So in the second case,the notation is incorrect...

Daniel.
 
ah I see, ok, so the first one, with x = +infinity, will equal pi, the same as the bottom one would (had I wrote it correctly).
 
  • #11
finally :-p thanks very much for your help :smile:
 

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