Definite Integrals Homework Solutions | Math Help

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding definite integrals, with participants addressing notation issues and the evaluation process. The original poster expresses uncertainty about their results, particularly regarding the sign of the logarithmic term in their answer.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the correct notation for definite integrals, the necessity of omitting the constant "+C", and the proper handling of variable substitutions. There are questions about the evaluation process and the implications of switching terms in logarithmic expressions.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on notation and evaluation strategies, while others have shared their own interpretations of the original poster's work. There is acknowledgment of mistakes made in the evaluation process, but no clear consensus on the overall correctness of the solutions presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of understanding the limits of integration and the implications of using different variables within the same integral. There is also mention of the original poster's use of visual aids, which may have impacted their notation and understanding.

A_Munk3y
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Homework Statement


I have to find the definite integrals of some problems...
I did them in paint because i do not know how to do it on the forum so sorry if that is a problem

Here is the problem and my attempted answer.
I think i got the first one right, but the second one, someone told me that i should be getting -ln(2) not ln(2), but i don't see how i should be getting -ln2

here it is
2zolmba.jpg
 

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Hello again! There's a couple things wrong notationally with the first problem. You shouldn't really have both u's and x's in the same integral, although your simplification is correct. Also, the whole third line...bad! This is a definite integral (that means is has limits of integration, the 0 and 4). When you integrate, you don't need the "+C". Think about it as you are going to get a definite answer-a number. The "+C" is used in indefinite integrals (ones without limits of integration) to signify that after integrating, you get a family of functions with the same derivative. For example x^3 and x^3 +4 both have the same derivative, so if you had \int 3x^2 dx how do you know which one you would get back out? That is why you put the +C. Same for the second example.
 
When you go from ln|ln(x)|+C to plugging in e-1 and e-2 you swap which one is subtracted from which
 
Juanriq said:
Hello again! There's a couple things wrong notationally with the first problem. You shouldn't really have both u's and x's in the same integral, although your simplification is correct. Also, the whole third line...bad! This is a definite integral (that means is has limits of integration, the 0 and 4). When you integrate, you don't need the "+C". Think about it as you are going to get a definite answer-a number. The "+C" is used in indefinite integrals (ones without limits of integration) to signify that after integrating, you get a family of functions with the same derivative. For example x^3 and x^3 +4 both have the same derivative, so if you had \int 3x^2 dx how do you know which one you would get back out? That is why you put the +C. Same for the second example.

I don't really agree that it's terrible to have x's and u's in the same integral. As long as you're aware that you need to get rid of one or the other before evaluating anything it's not going to cause any trouble.

Also, a completely valid strategy is to calculate the indefinite integral, then just take the difference. The +C's cancel (in fact, when you calculate the definite integral you're really doing this even if you don't notice)
 
Right, I didn't notice that the +C was dropped when the evaluating the LOI. My bad
 
Office_Shredder said:
When you go from ln|ln(x)|+C to plugging in e-1 and e-2 you swap which one is subtracted from which

Office_Shredder said:
I don't really agree that it's terrible to have x's and u's in the same integral. As long as you're aware that you need to get rid of one or the other before evaluating anything it's not going to cause any trouble.

Also, a completely valid strategy is to calculate the indefinite integral, then just take the difference. The +C's cancel (in fact, when you calculate the definite integral you're really doing this even if you don't notice)

Juanriq said:
Right, I didn't notice that the +C was dropped when the evaluating the LOI. My bad

oh, i see where i messed up with the switching on e-1 and the e-2.
Ok, I'm getting -ln2 now since it will be 0-ln2 = -ln2 :approve:

but I'm still confused... did i do anything else wrong? Or does it seem ok?

2i944yg.jpg
 
Last edited:
Looks good!
 
One quibble: In some of the work for your first integral and all of it for the second integral you are connecting the intermediate expressions with "implies" (==>). Use "equals" (=) instead. ==> should be used between statements such as equations or inequalities. For example,
x2 = 4 ==> x = 2 or x = -2 (typically equations or inequalities).
 
oh, ok i get ya.. :)
Alright thanks guys
 

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