Definite double integral of e^x^2

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the evaluation of a definite double integral involving the function e^(x^2). Participants explore various methods of integration, including variable substitutions and changing the order of integration, while expressing uncertainty about the best approach to take.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in determining an appropriate variable substitution for the integral involving e^(x^2).
  • Another participant suggests that using polar coordinates is incorrect for this integral.
  • A different participant proposes trying substitutions such as u = x^2 and u = e^(x^2) to simplify the integrand.
  • One participant describes their attempt at substitution, resulting in a complex expression that remains difficult to integrate.
  • Another participant analyzes the regions of integration and suggests that merging the two terms might simplify the problem, while expressing frustration over encountering the error function.
  • One participant recommends changing the order of integration, leading to a new expression that could potentially simplify the integral.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best method to solve the integral, with multiple competing approaches and ongoing uncertainty about the effectiveness of each method.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity of the integral and the challenges posed by the presence of the error function, indicating that they seek a solution using elementary functions. There are unresolved mathematical steps and dependencies on the chosen methods of integration.

dobedobedo
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Hi guise. I just encountered a problem which I sincerely don't know how to attack. I don't know what kind of variable substitution would help me to solve this problem... It's that goddamn e^x^2 which is a part of the integrand... I don't know if I should use polar coordinates either... Please help!

[itex]\int_{1}^{2} (\int_{x}^{x^3}x^2 e^{y^2}dy)dx + \int_{2}^{8} (\int_{x}^{8}x^2 e^{y^2}dy)dx[/itex]

P.s. The answer is supposedly equal to (1/6)(62e^64+e).
 
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I don't see a method of solution (if there exists one), but I can tell you for sure it's incorrect to compute the integral wrt y in <polar coordinates>.
 
dobedobedo said:
Hi guise.
I'm not a costume. :-p

I just encountered a problem which I sincerely don't know how to attack. I don't know what kind of variable substitution would help me to solve this problem... It's that [edited for language] e^x^2 which is a part of the integrand
The obvious things to try, then, would be [itex]u = x^2[/itex] and [itex]u = e^{x^2}[/itex].

Another common trick is to swap the order of integration and hope you get something simpler out.
 
I tried the substitution u= x^2, v= e^(y^2). The Jacobian had the value 1/(4xy*e^(y^2)). So far so good. But then I get...
[itex]\frac{1}{4} \int_{1}^{4} (\int_{e^u}^{e^{u^3}}(\frac{u^{1/2}}{ln(v)^{1/2}})dv)du +\frac{1}{4} \int_{2}^{8^{2}} (\int_{e^u}^{e^{8^2}}(\frac{u^{1/2}}{ln(v)^{1/2}})dv)du[/itex]

Which is a complete**#@* mess.And integrating with respect to x first would not be sufficient to eliminate all expressions containing x from the integrand of neither the first nor second term.
 
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I was just thinking one thing... Let the set of points (region, whatever... you get the idea) which the first term is to be integrated over be denoted A.

Then A = {(x,y): x ≤ y ≤ x^3, 1 ≤ x ≤ 2}. Let the set of points that the second term is integrated over be denoted B.
Then B = {(x,y): x ≤ y≤ 8, 2 ≤ x ≤ 8}.

It becomes clear that these two regions of points in the xy-plane intersect at the line x=2. Is it possible to... somehow... reexpress the boundaries for y and x in a way which JUST MAYBE makes the integration easier? Is it possible to "merge" the two terms into one term, with modified integration intervals?

I don't know people... but this problem is supposed to have a solution without the necessity of fancy mathematical methods... but those are welcome as well! As long as they are thoroughly explained. <3

I tried the substitution u=x^2 and v= y^2, but that didn't help either... I always get to the goddamn errorfunction which I basically don't know anything about. This **** is supposed to be solved with elementary functions. Not the error function...
 
Try changing the order of integration. The first integral has y going from x to x3 and x from 1 to 2. So swapping the order of integration would give
[tex]\int_{y= 1}^8\int_{x= y^{1/3}}^y x^2e^{y^2}dxdy= \frac{1}{3}\int_1^8 (y^3- y)e^{y^2}dy[/tex]

Since we now have odd powers of y, we can write that as
[tex]\frac{1}{3}\int_1^8 (y^2- 1)e^{y^2}(ydy)[/tex]
and use the substitution [itex]u= y^2[/itex] so that du= 2ydy and the integral becomes
[tex]\frac{1}{6}\int_1^{64} (u- 1)e^u du[/tex]
 

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