Existence of Integral for (sin(100*x))^x on [0,2pi]

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In summary, the conversation is about the integral of (sin(100*x))^x from 0 to 2pi. Both the Wolfram integration calculator and another online calculator suggest that this is a non-elementary integral. Mathematica also gives error messages when trying to integrate numerically. The discussion then moves on to the domain of definition of the integrand, which is [0,100]. There are suggestions to plot the function and consider the effects of increasing values of a and using a real number as an exponent. It is also mentioned that the antiderivative of the function is non-elementary.
  • #1
missfangula
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Homework Statement


Homework Equations




(sin(100*x))^x , integral from 0 to 2pi






The Attempt at a Solution


I typed it into the wolfram integration calculator and another i found online, and both say that this is probably a nonelementary integral.
Any thoughts?

Thanks,
miss fangula
 
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  • #2
Mathematica also says it doesn't. Even NIntegrate (integrating numerically) returns error messages.
 
  • #3
What is the domain of definition of the integrand

[tex]
\sin^{x}(100 \, x)
[/tex]
 
  • #4
missfangula said:
Any thoughts?

Thanks,
miss fangula

Yes Miss Fangula. You should break it apart and analyze what's going on. Just consider sin(a x). As a increases, it oscillates more. That's a problem for numerical integrators and that is the message Mathematica gives you when a=100. Now what happens when you put a real number as an exponent? For example, what happens when say for example sin(ax)=-0.5 and the exponent is for example 1/2? That's going to be a complex number right? Also, Mathematica will always use the "principal" value for the root and that may not represent the analytic continuation of the function throughout the domain of integration and thus even the numerical answer you get may not be the one you want. So try plotting the function for just some values of a to get some understanding of what it looks like. Also try plotting just the real or imaginary part and keep in mind it's multi-valued in general and also I think it's antiderivative is non-elementary.
 
  • #5
Thanks for all the replies. I will try the plotting, jackmell. Dickfore, the domain is [0,100]. any thoughts about that?
 

1. What does it mean for an integral to exist?

An integral exists if it has a finite value and can be evaluated using mathematical techniques. It represents the area under a curve or the accumulation of a quantity over a certain interval.

2. How can I determine if an integral exists?

To determine if an integral exists, you can use mathematical methods such as the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, Riemann sums, and the Cauchy Principal Value. It is also important to check for discontinuities and infinite intervals.

3. What happens if an integral does not exist?

If an integral does not exist, it means that it cannot be evaluated using traditional mathematical methods. This could be due to infinite or undefined values, or the function being too complex to integrate.

4. Can an integral exist but still be divergent?

Yes, an integral can exist but still be divergent. This means that the integral has a finite value, but it approaches infinity as the limits of integration approach certain values. This is known as an improper integral.

5. How does the existence of an integral affect the overall solution to a problem?

The existence of an integral is crucial in solving many mathematical and scientific problems. It allows us to find the exact value of an unknown quantity or to analyze the behavior of a function over a certain interval. Without the existence of an integral, many problems would be impossible to solve.

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