Definite Integral Problem: Finding the Value of an Integral Using Substitution

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the definite integral ##\displaystyle \int_e^{e^4} \sqrt{\ln x} \,\, dx## in relation to the integral ##\displaystyle \int_1^2 e^{x^2}\,\, dx##, which is denoted as ##\alpha##. Participants explore substitution methods and integration techniques to find a relationship between these integrals.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various substitution methods, including ##e^{x^2}=t## and ##\sqrt{\ln x}=t##, and express confusion about how these substitutions relate to the original integral. There are attempts to derive the integral using integration by parts, and some participants question how to proceed with these methods.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their attempts and insights. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of substitution and differentiation under the integral sign, but there is no clear consensus on the best approach yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants note constraints related to the use of differentiation under the integral sign, as well as the specific requirements of their homework assignments. There is mention of previous related problems that may influence their current approaches.

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Homework Statement


If the value of the integral ##\displaystyle \int_1^2 e^{x^2}\,\, dx## is ##\alpha##, then the value of ##\displaystyle \int_e^{e^4} \sqrt{\ln x} \,\, dx## is:

A)##e^4-e-\alpha##
B)##2e^4-e-\alpha##
C)##2(e^4-e)-\alpha##
D)##2e^4-1-\alpha##


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


Starting with the given integral, I used the substitution, ##e^{x^2}=t\Rightarrow 2xe^{x^2}dx=dt##.
$$\int_1^2 e^{x^2} dx=\int_1^2 \frac{2xe^{x^2}}{2x}dx=\frac{1}{2}\int_e^{e^4} \frac{dt}{\sqrt{\ln t}}$$
But this doesn't end up with the definite integral asked in the problem. :(

I have tried using the substitution ##\sqrt{\ln x}=t## in the definite integral to be evaluated, I end up with ##\displaystyle \int_1^2 t^2\cdot e^{t^2} dt## but this isn't the same as given in the problem statement.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
 
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Hi Pranav-Arora! :smile:

Try going the other way …

start with ∫ √(lnt) dt, and make the same substitution. :wink:
 
tiny-tim said:
Hi Pranav-Arora! :smile:

Try going the other way …

start with ∫ √(lnt) dt, and make the same substitution. :wink:

I have already tried substituting ##\sqrt{\ln x}=t##. Do you ask me to use the substitution ##x=e^{t^2}## in the definite integral to be evaluated?
 
Pranav-Arora said:
I end up with ##\displaystyle \int_1^2 t^2\cdot e^{t^2} dt## but this isn't the same as given in the problem statement.
True, but you can then integrate by parts.
 
haruspex said:
True, but you can then integrate by parts.

How? :confused:

Integrating by parts:
$$t^2\int e^{t^2}dt-\int \left(2t \int e^{t^2}dt \right) dt$$

How do I proceed further?
 
Pranav-Arora said:
How? :confused:

Integrating by parts:
$$t^2\int e^{t^2}dt-\int \left(2t \int e^{t^2}dt \right) dt$$

How do I proceed further?

t2et2 = t(tet2) :wink:
 
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Pranav-Arora said:

Homework Statement


If the value of the integral ##\displaystyle \int_1^2 e^{x^2}\,\, dx## is ##\alpha##, then the value of ##\displaystyle \int_e^{e^4} \sqrt{\ln x} \,\, dx## is:

A)##e^4-e-\alpha##
B)##2e^4-e-\alpha##
C)##2(e^4-e)-\alpha##
D)##2e^4-1-\alpha##


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


Starting with the given integral, I used the substitution, ##e^{x^2}=t\Rightarrow 2xe^{x^2}dx=dt##.
$$\int_1^2 e^{x^2} dx=\int_1^2 \frac{2xe^{x^2}}{2x}dx=\frac{1}{2}\int_e^{e^4} \frac{dt}{\sqrt{\ln t}}$$
But this doesn't end up with the definite integral asked in the problem. :(

I have tried using the substitution ##\sqrt{\ln x}=t## in the definite integral to be evaluated, I end up with ##\displaystyle \int_1^2 t^2\cdot e^{t^2} dt## but this isn't the same as given in the problem statement.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
This is an extension of an earlier problem you posted involving differentiation under the integral sign using Leibnitz Rule. It does not require integration by parts.

Let ##I=\displaystyle \int_1^2 e^{x^2}\,\, dx##

Substitute x = \sqrt{β}t to obtain:
I=I(β)=\sqrt{β} \int_{\frac{1}{\sqrt{β}}}^{\frac{2}{\sqrt{β}}} e^{βt^2}\,\, dt

As in the earlier problem, the next step is to take the derivative of I with respect to β and evaluate this derivative at β=1. This requires use of the Leibnitz Rule not only for the function under the integral sign, but for the limits of integration as well. Since, in reality, the derivative of I with respect to β must be zero (since the original form of the integral does not involve β), you will end up with the sum of four terms equal to zero. You can then solve for the integral you really want.

It only took me a couple of minutes to solve the problem this way (most of which involved making sure that I did the differentiation algebra correctly). My final answer was one of the four choices given.

Chet
 
Last edited:
tiny-tim said:
t2et2 = t(tet2) :wink:

Great! Thanks a lot tiny-tim! :)

Chestermiller said:
This is an extension of an earlier problem you posted involving differentiation under the integral sign using Leibnitz Rule.
Can you please post the link to the thread you are talking about? I don't think I posted a similar problem before.
Let ##I=\displaystyle \int_1^2 e^{x^2}\,\, dx##

Substitute x = \sqrt{β}t to obtain:
I=I(β)=\sqrt{β} \int_{\frac{1}{\sqrt{β}}}^{\frac{2}{\sqrt{β}}} e^{βt^2}\,\, dt

As in the earlier problem, the next step is to take the derivative of I with respect to β and evaluate this derivative at β=1. This requires use of the Leibnitz Rule not only for the function under the integral sign, but for the limits of integration as well. Since, in reality, the derivative of I with respect to β must be zero (since the original form of the integral does not involve β), you will end up with the sum of four terms equal to zero. You can then solve for the integral you really want.

Okay, I tried this and I was able to evaluate ##\displaystyle \int_1^2 e^{x^2}\,\, dx## but the problem doesn't ask this, how do I go about evaluating what's asked? Do I have to use the same substitution?
It only took me a couple of minutes to solve the problem this way (most of which involved making sure that I did the differentiation algebra correctly). My final answer was one of the four choices given.
But tiny-tim's method is nice too. :)

Anyways, in my syllabus, use of differentiation under the integral sign is limited. I have done problems where the function to be integrated is not a function of the same variable as of limits, I haven't yet encountered a problem where this is not the case.
 
Pranav-Arora said:
Great! Thanks a lot tiny-tim! :)


Can you please post the link to the thread you are talking about? I don't think I posted a similar problem before.


Okay, I tried this and I was able to evaluate ##\displaystyle \int_1^2 e^{x^2}\,\, dx## but the problem doesn't ask this, how do I go about evaluating what's asked? Do I have to use the same substitution?

But tiny-tim's method is nice too. :)

Anyways, in my syllabus, use of differentiation under the integral sign is limited. I have done problems where the function to be integrated is not a function of the same variable as of limits, I haven't yet encountered a problem where this is not the case.

When I differentiate the function I(β) with respect to β, I get:
\frac{dI}{dβ}=\frac{1}{2\sqrt{β}} \int_{\frac{1}{\sqrt{β}}}^{\frac{2}{\sqrt{β}}} e^{βt^2}\,\, dt+β^{\frac{3}{2}}\int_{\frac{1}{\sqrt{β}}}^{\frac{2}{\sqrt{β}}} t^2e^{βt^2}\,\, dt+\frac{1}{β}\left(-e^4+\frac{e}{2}\right)
This expression must be equal to zero; and, if I set β equal to 1, I get:
\frac{1}{2} \int_{1}^{2} e^{t^2}\,\, dt+\int_{1}^{2} t^2e^{t^2}\,\, dt+\left(-e^4+\frac{e}{2}\right)=0
Rearranging this equation and multiplying it by 2 yields:
2\int_{1}^{2} t^2e^{t^2}\,\, dt=2e^4-e-\int_{1}^{2} e^{t^2}\,\, dt=2e^4-e-α
This is answer B.
 
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Chestermiller said:
When I differentiate the function I(β) with respect to β, I get:
\frac{dI}{dβ}=\frac{1}{2\sqrt{β}} \int_{\frac{1}{\sqrt{β}}}^{\frac{2}{\sqrt{β}}} e^{βt^2}\,\, dt+β^{\frac{3}{2}}\int_{\frac{1}{\sqrt{β}}}^{\frac{2}{\sqrt{β}}} t^2e^{βt^2}\,\, dt+\frac{1}{β}\left(-e^4+\frac{e}{2}\right)
This expression must be equal to zero; and, if I set β equal to 1, I get:
\frac{1}{2} \int_{1}^{2} e^{t^2}\,\, dt+\int_{1}^{2} t^2e^{t^2}\,\, dt+\left(-e^4+\frac{e}{2}\right)=0
Rearranging this equation and multiplying it by 2 yields:
2\int_{1}^{2} t^2e^{t^2}\,\, dt=2e^4-e-\int_{1}^{2} e^{t^2}\,\, dt=2e^4-e-α
This is answer B.

Very sorry, I should have been careful. :redface:

Thanks a lot Chet! :smile:
 

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