MHB Definite Integral: x(-ln(x)^k)(1-x)^(N-1)

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The integral \(\int_{0}^{1} x(-\ln(x))^k(1-x)^{N-1} dx\) cannot be expressed in elementary functions, but it can be evaluated using the Beta function. The result is given by \((-1)^k \left. \frac{d^k}{dx^k} \beta(N,x) \right|_{x=2}\) for odd \(k\) and \(N \geq 2\). The discussion also touches on using induction for solving the integral, though some participants note the difficulty in applying this method without a known answer. Additionally, a transformation using the Gamma function is explored, leading to a series representation. The conversation highlights the complexities involved in evaluating this specific integral.
bincy
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Dear All,[math] \int_{0}^{1}x*\left(\left(-ln(x)\right)^{k}\right)*\left(1-x\right)^{(N-1)}dx [/math], where k is an odd no. N >=2.regards,
Bincy
 
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bincybn said:
Dear All,[math] \int_{0}^{1}x*\left(\left(-ln(x)\right)^{k}\right)*\left(1-x\right)^{(N-1)}dx [/math], where k is an odd no. N >=2.

regards,
Bincy
Hi bincybn,

Your integral cannot be expressed in terms of elementary functions. However using Maxima I found that the answer is,

\[\displaystyle \int_{0}^{1}x((-ln(x))^{k}\left(1-x\right)^{(N-1)}dx=(-1)^k\left( \left. \frac{{d}^{k}}{d\,{x}^{k}}\,\beta\left(N,x\right) \right|_{x=2}\right)~~~~\mbox{for }k\in\mathbb{Z^+}\]

\(\beta\) is the Beta function.
 
Sudharaka said:
Hi bincybn,

Your integral cannot be expressed in terms of elementary functions. However using Maxima I found that the answer is,

\[\displaystyle \int_{0}^{1}x((-ln(x))^{k}\left(1-x\right)^{(N-1)}dx=(-1)^k\left( \left. \frac{{d}^{k}}{d\,{x}^{k}}\,\beta\left(N,x\right) \right|_{x=2}\right)~~~~\mbox{for }k\in\mathbb{Z^+}\]

\(\beta\) is the Beta function.

Since the integral is set up like the beta function, maybe he was supposed to obtain the solution by induction.
 
dwsmith said:
Since the integral is set up like the beta function, maybe he was supposed to obtain the solution by induction.

Hi dwsmith, (Wave)

Yes, maybe. But without knowing the answer it is impossible to use the induction method. Isn't?
 
Gamma function \Gamma (z) = \int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-t} t^{z-1} dt

\int_{0}^{1} x((- \ln x )^k) (1-x)^{n-1} dx

Let u = - \ln x \Rightarrow x = e^{-u} \Rightarrow dx = - e^{-u} du

x = 0 \rightarrow u = \infty , x = 1 \rightarrow u = 0

\int_{\infty}^{0} e^{-u} (u^k )(1-e^{-u})^n(-e^{-u}) du

\int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-2u} (u^k )(1-e^{-u})^n du

Note that
(1-e^{-u})^n = \sum_{i=0}^{n} \dbinom{n}{i} (-1)^i (e^{-u})^i

and \int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-at} t^{z-1} dt = \frac{\Gamma (z)}{a}

\int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-2u} (u^k )(1-e^{-u})^n du = \sum_{i=0}^{n} (-1)^i \int_{0}^{\infty} (u^k)(e^{-u(2+i)}) du

\sum_{i=0}^{n} (-1)^i \int_{0}^{\infty} (u^k)(e^{-u(2+i)}) du =<br /> \sum_{i=0}^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^i\Gamma (k+1)}{2+i}

I solved it for n instead of n-1
 
Last edited:
Thanks everyone.

To Amer: Thanks for ur method. But some mistakes are here and there like.
Amer said:
\int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-at} t^{z-1} dt = \frac{\Gamma (z)}{a}

which is in fact \int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-at} t^{z-1} dt = \frac{\Gamma (z)}{a^z}regards,
Bincy
 
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