Challenging Integrals in Calculus 1-2: Expand Your Problem-Solving Skills!

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    Hard Integrals
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around challenging integrals suitable for Calculus 1-2, with participants sharing various integral problems and expressing their thoughts on their difficulty and interesting properties. The focus is on exploring integrals that may be fun or intriguing to solve, without reaching any consensus on their solvability or difficulty level.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests hard integrals to solve, specifically within the range of Calculus 1-2.
  • Several integrals are proposed, including \(\int{\frac{(1+x^{2})dx}{(1-x^{2})\sqrt{1+x^{4}}}}\) and \(\int e^{-x^2} dx\), with varying opinions on their appropriateness for the specified calculus levels.
  • Some participants express doubt about the inclusion of certain integrals, such as \(\int e^{-x^2} dx\), suggesting it may not belong to the Calculus 1-2 curriculum.
  • Integrals like \(\int_{0}^{\infty} \sin(x^2)dx\) are described as hard but famous, with some participants sharing their experiences of solving them.
  • One participant discusses their approach to solving \(\int \frac{1}{x^5+1}dx\) and expresses uncertainty about their method involving substitution and integration by parts.
  • There are multiple mentions of the Gaussian integral and its evaluation, with some participants discussing the use of polar coordinates and limits at infinity.
  • Concerns are raised about the evaluation of improper integrals and the behavior of oscillating functions as they approach infinity, leading to further questions about convergence.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the difficulty or appropriateness of the integrals shared. There are differing opinions on which integrals are suitable for Calculus 1-2, and some participants express confusion or uncertainty about specific methods and concepts.

Contextual Notes

Some integrals discussed may involve concepts or techniques that extend beyond the typical scope of Calculus 1-2, such as improper integrals and advanced evaluation methods. Participants express varying levels of familiarity with these concepts, indicating a range of understanding within the group.

  • #181
$$\int_{0}^{\pi}\frac{cos(nx)-cos(na)}{cos(x)-cos(a)} dx$$

and

$$\int_{0}^{\infty }\frac{x}{e^{x}-1} dx$$
 
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  • #182
Try this.
1507919193165-1998323113.jpg
 
  • #183
zoki85 said:
Hard ,but famous and bautiful :

\int_{0}^{\infty}sin(x^2)dx
it should come from common sense i think. seems the analytical method is going to be just WOOW
 
  • #185
yip said:
Try \int{\frac{(1+x^{2})dx}{(1-x^{2})\sqrt{1+x^{4}}}}
(forgot to put the integral sign in, it is now fixed)

This is my answer, tell me if i did something wrong :).
 

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  • #186
Ferhat said:
This is my answer, tell me if i did something wrong :).

1589576667909.png

this is a “simpler” result I got from unraveling your solution & re-packaging it. I want to figure out how to get it in this form in a more natural way. As of now I’m stuck. Right now I’m working with a Pythagorean triangle
Adjacent = 1-x^2
Opposite = x*sqrt(2)
Hypotenuse = sqrt(1+x^4)

and the solution is 1/sqrt(2)*ln(sec(angle)+tan(angle)) + C

I see some kind of pattern here but it’s a little opaque. Any way to clear this up & produce a really elegant solution?
 
  • #187
Try:

\int_{0}^{1} e^{-x^{x}} dx

Ssnow
 
  • #188
try the integral of sin(lnx) by using eulers formula
 
  • #189
yip said:
Try \int{\frac{(1+x^{2})dx}{(1-x^{2})\sqrt{1+x^{4}}}}
(forgot to put the integral sign in, it is now fixed)
The answer is
<br /> \frac{1}{2\sqrt{2}}\ln \left| { \frac{\sqrt{2}+{\sqrt{x^2+\frac{1}{x^2}}}} {\sqrt{2}-{\sqrt{x^2+\frac{1}{x^2}}}}} \right|<br />
 
  • #190
zoki85 said:
Hard ,but famous and bautiful :

\int_{0}^{\infty}sin(x^2)dx
Is It -sqrt(pi/2) took me a bit to calculate. Its doable, If one knows the tricks
 
  • #191
Try this one:
##\int_0^\infty\frac{\sin^2x}{x^2(x^2+1)}dx##
If you need an explanation, let me know. But I want to give you guys some time to find out how to do it
 
  • #192
As my first calculus teacher said, "there is a difference between a hard problem and a long problem."
 
  • Haha
Likes   Reactions: e_jane
  • #193
Vanadium 50 said:
As my first calculus teacher said, "there is a difference between a hard problem and a long problem."
Is this directed toward my integral? If it is, I could take it down from this thread.
 
  • #194
mathhabibi said:
Is this directed toward my integral? If it is, I could take it down from this thread.
Actually, I can't delete that post.
 
  • #195
Here's another integral that I find interesting $$\int_0^\infty\frac{\sin x}{\sinh x}dx$$This one has an answer in terms of hyperbolic cotangent.
 

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