Discrepancy in Integration of 1/x by Parts

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of the function 1/x using integration by parts, exploring the apparent discrepancy that arises during the process.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply integration by parts but encounters a contradiction in their results. Some participants question the inclusion of an integration constant and the correctness of the intermediate steps.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing the integration process and the assumptions made, particularly regarding the integration constant and the definition of the logarithmic function as an antiderivative. There is no explicit consensus on the correct approach yet.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of differing definitions of the antiderivative of 1/x in various texts, which may contribute to the confusion in the discussion.

Gear300
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If we were to integrate 1/x by parts using u = 1/x and dv = 1dx, then it would end up as:
Int(dx/x) = 1 + Int(dx/x), ending up with 1 = 0. Why was there a discrepancy in the integration?
--Int() refers to integral
 
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You're missing an integration constant.
 
\int\frac{1}{x}dx=uv -\int vdu= \frac{x+c}{x} - \int \frac{-(x+c)}{x^{2}}dx = etc...
u=\frac{1}{x}
du=\frac{-1}{x^{2}}
dv=1dx
v=x+c

Please tell me if I am wrong.

Regardless, you are looking for the result to be ln|x|+c.
 
exk said:
v=x+c
I don't think there should be a '+ c' in this intermediate step. Anyway, integrating
1/x gives ln(x) + c by definition. Some books actually define ln(x) to be the anti-derivative of that.
 

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