Another Integration Formula

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a specific integration formula that is reportedly well-known but not commonly taught. Participants explore its derivation, potential applications, and correctness, focusing on the integration of functions and the use of inverse functions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the correctness of the integration formula when applied to specific functions, such as \( f(x) = e^x \), and express confusion over the results obtained.
  • Others provide a derivation of the formula, suggesting it involves a combination of integration by parts and substitution, and reference the integral of an inverse function.
  • There are mentions of the derivative of the right-hand side of the formula, with some participants noting that it simplifies to \( f(x) \), indicating a potential verification method.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the practical utility of the formula, suggesting it may only be useful in specific contexts or challenges, while others believe it lacks independent value.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correctness of the integration formula or its utility. There are competing views on its applicability and value, with some expressing doubts while others see potential uses.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight potential typos and errors in calculations, particularly regarding the integration of logarithmic functions, but do not resolve these issues. The discussion remains open-ended regarding the formula's broader implications.

gleem
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According to the author of this article, this integration formula is well-known but rarely taught. Do you know it?

$$\int f(x)dx = xf(x)-\int_{x_{0}}^{f(x)}f^{-1}(t)dt $$

where x0 is a constant and f-1(x) is the inverse function of f(x).
 
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Is there a typo somewhere? I get for ##f(x)=e^x##
\begin{align*}
\int e^x\,dx &\stackrel{?}{=} xe^x-\int_{x_{0}}^{e^x}\log(t)\,dt\\
&= xe^x-\left[t\log(t)-1\right]_{x_{0}}^{e^x}\\
&=xe^x-(e^x x-1)+(x_0\log(x_0)-1)\\
&=x_0\log(x_0)
&\neq e^{x}
\end{align*}
Where am I wrong?
 
gleem said:
According to the author of this article, this integration formula is well-known but rarely taught. Do you know it?

$$\int f(x)dx = xf(x)-\int_{x_{0}}^{f(x)}f^{-1}(t)dt $$

where x0 is a constant and f-1(x) is the inverse function of f(x).
It's a combination of parts and substitution. You can start from the integral of an inverse function. With ##f(x) = t##, do a change of variables, followed by parts.
$$\int_{t_0}^{t_1}f^{-1}(t)dt = \int_{x_0}^{x_1}xf'(x)dx$$$$ =\bigg[xf(x)\bigg]_{x_0}^{x_1} - \int_{x_0}^{x_1}f(x)dx$$
 
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fresh_42 said:
Is there a typo somewhere? I get for ##f(x)=e^x##
\begin{align*}
\int e^x\,dx &\stackrel{?}{=} xe^x-\int_{x_{0}}^{e^x}\log(t)\,dt\\
&= xe^x-\left[t\log(t)-1\right]_{x_{0}}^{e^x}\\
&=xe^x-(e^x x-1)+(x_0\log(x_0)-1)\\
&=x_0\log(x_0)
&\neq e^{x}
\end{align*}
Where am I wrong?
The integral of ##\log t## is ##t\log t - t##.
 
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PeroK said:
It's a combination of parts and substitution. You can start from the integral of an inverse function. With ##f(x) = t##, do a change of variables, followed by parts.
$$\int_{t_0}^{t_1}f^{-1}(t)dt = \int_{x_0}^{x_1}xf'(x)dx$$$$ =\bigg[xf(x)\bigg]_{x_0}^{x_1} - \int_{x_0}^{x_1}f(x)dx$$
You can also just take the derivative of the RHS, and verify that it is f(x). I note that I have never seen this before. It looks cute, but I wouldn't know how useful it is without playing with some examples myself.

[The derivative comes out ##f(x)+xf'(x)-xf'(x)## ]
 
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PAllen said:
It looks cute, but I wouldn't know how useful it is without playing with some examples myself.
This looks like one of those integration identities that might find use on some ubsurd integral challenges (which I enjoy), but probably not much use anywhere else. I would be interested to see if it does show up in someones research somewhere.
 
Mondayman said:
This looks like one of those integration identities that might find use on some ubsurd integral challenges (which I enjoy), but probably not much use anywhere else. I would be interested to see if it does show up in someones research somewhere.
It could be useful, but it doesn't have a lot of independent value. It's just the full substitution, followed by parts. In that sense, it's nothing new.
 

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