Confusing Integration Question?

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unscientific
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Confusing Integration Question??

Homework Statement



The question is as attached.

The Attempt at a Solution



I am very confused by the question. Firstly is I(y) a function like (tan-1y) or an operator like ∫y?

Then they say I(y) - I(∞) = (∏/2) - tan-1y so I suppose that I(y) is basically just -tan-1y.I(y) - I(∞) = (∏/2) - tan-1y

lim(y→0) [ I(y) - I(∞) ] = (∏/2) - 0 = (∏/2)

But returning to the question, as you let y→0, all you get is

y(0) = ∫ sinx /x dx = tan-10 = 0

But that doesn't look right at all.I hope someone can clear up all the terminology they are using...
 

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unscientific said:

Homework Statement



The question is as attached.



The Attempt at a Solution



I am very confused by the question. Firstly is I(y) a function like (tan-1y) or an operator like ∫y?

Then they say I(y) - I(∞) = (∏/2) - tan-1y so I suppose that I(y) is basically just -tan-1y.


I(y) - I(∞) = (∏/2) - tan-1y

lim(y→0) [ I(y) - I(∞) ] = (∏/2) - 0 = (∏/2)

But returning to the question, as you let y→0, all you get is

y(0) = ∫ sinx /x dx = tan-10 = 0

But that doesn't look right at all.


I hope someone can clear up all the terminology they are using...

The terminology is very clear: I(y) is a function of y, given by a formula in the picture.

RGV
 


But when they take the limit of y->0, all you get is I(0) = ∫ sinx /x dx = tan-10 = 0When you take the limit of y-> ∞, all you get is I(∞) = 0 (If you substitute ∞ into the question)
 
Last edited:


unscientific said:
Then they say I(y) - I(∞) = (∏/2) - tan-1y so I suppose that I(y) is basically just -tan-1y.

They say very plainly that [itex]I(\infty) = 0[/itex], so [itex]I(y) = \frac {\pi} {2} - tan^{-1}(y)[/itex], including [itex]y = 0[/itex].
 


voko said:
They say very plainly that [itex]I(\infty) = 0[/itex], so [itex]I(y) = \frac {\pi} {2} - tan^{-1}(y)[/itex], including [itex]y = 0[/itex].

Oh I think I got it now! Cause when you integrate ∂/∂y = - 1/(1+y2) you get

I(y) = -tan-1y + C

Based on the first equation, we know y(∞) but not y(0).

I(∞) = 0, so you solve C = ∏/2...


Everything makes sense now, thank you!