Did I use the correct identities in my variation method calculations?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the application of variational methods to a one-dimensional quartic oscillator with the potential V(x) = cx^4. The user employed the trial function e^(-α(x^2)/2) to compute the variational integral W, utilizing specific identities for simplification. The identities used were Identity 1: x^n e^bx^2 = (2n!)/(2^(2n+1)n!)(π/(b^(2n+1)))^(1/2) and Identity 2: e^-bx^2 = 1/2 (π/b)^(1/2). The calculations led to a final expression of 0.125C(sqrt(π/(α^5))/sqrt(π/α), prompting the user to question the correctness of their identity usage.

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Emily Smith
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<Moderator's note: Moved from a technical forum and thus no template.>

Problem:
One dimensional quartic oscillator, V(x) = cx^4 (c is a constant)
Use the trial function e^(-aplha(x^2)/2) to determine the value of the appropriate variational integral W.

I've attached a picture of my work.

I feel that my answer is not correct, because I ended up using identities (listed below) at the end because I was grasping for straws. So my question is: did I mess up by using the identities?

Identity 1 = x^n e^bx^2 = (2n!)/(2^(2n+1)n!)(pi/(b^2n+1))^1/2
Identity 2 = e^-bx^2 = 1/2 (pi/b)^1/2

I used the phi* V phi / phi*phi equation. Started with phi *(V)phi, e^(-aplha(x^2)/2)(Cx^4)e^(-aplha(x^2)/2) dx
I pulled the C out since it was constant and simplified to e^(-aplha(x^2))(x^4)
From there I used the Identity 1 and got 0.0625C (pi/(aplha^5))^(1/2).

For phi*phi I used Identity 2 and got sqrt(pi/alpha)/2

Finally I divided hi* V phi by phi*phi which gave me 0.125C(sqrt(pi/(alpha^5))/ sqrt(pi/alpha)
IMG_20181001_204034.jpg
IMG_20181001_204034.jpg
 

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