Evaluate Double Integral Problem

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves evaluating a double integral of the form \(\int\int e^{x^2} \, dx \, dy\) with specified bounds. The integrand's notation has caused some confusion regarding its interpretation, which affects the approach to solving the integral.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the correct interpretation of the integrand, questioning whether it is \(e^{x^2}\) or \((e^x)^2\).
  • Some suggest switching the order of integration and adjusting the bounds based on the region of integration, while others express uncertainty about the new boundaries.
  • There are mentions of the challenges associated with integrating \(e^{x^2}\) and the implications of that on the overall problem.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with various interpretations being explored. Some participants have provided insights into switching the order of integration and the implications of the integrand's form. However, there is no explicit consensus on the correct interpretation or the best approach to take.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of clarity in notation, as the lack of parentheses has led to confusion. There is also mention of the problem being part of a take-home test, which may influence the urgency and approach to seeking clarification from the professor.

goatsebear
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Homework Statement



Evaluate [tex]\int[/tex][tex]\int[/tex] e^x^2 dx dy.

The bounds for the inner integral go from y to 1
The bounds for the outer integral go from 0 to 1
2. The attempt at a solution

I can easily do this, I just do not see how I can get e^x^2 to integrate for x. Is there some sort of special method to do this?
 
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Do you mean (e^x)^2 or e^(x^2)? The answer is quite different depending.
 
Honestly, I can't tell. Its a take home test and the subscript goes:

e^x^2. Looks to me like its e^(x^2) so that's how I'm going to solve it.
 
In that case it's trouble. e^(x^2) doesn't have an elementary antiderivative. (e^x)^2=e^(2x) does. Somebody should pay better attention to putting parentheses into problems to clarify them.
 
Alright well I guess I'll just have to email my professor and ask him to clarify it.
 
Okay so I talked to my professor and you can actually do this problem. It has something to do with switching the boundaries. Like instead of having it dxdy, make it dydx and change the boundaries of the integrals using the graph of the region.

Since the region is a right triangle with the hypotenuse going from (0,0) to (1,1), I believe that the boundaries go as follows: 0 < x < 1 and x<y<1 where the < are less than greater than.

So that would make the problem go as follows:

Integrating e^x^2 in terms of y gives (y*e^x^2 ). Then plugging in boundaries is where I get stuck again. I'm not totally sure if my new boundaries are right.
 
Write either e^(x^2) or (e^x)^2 depending on what you mean, ok? e^x^2 doesn't mean anything. Sure you can interchange integration order etc. The only problem with doing it is if you interpret the integrand as e^(x^2). I thought that was what you were going to clarify with your professor?
 
f(x, y) = ex2 is constant in y. Switching the order of integration gives us the integral:
[tex]\int_0^1\int_0^x e^{x^2} dy dx[/tex]
This simplifies easily, as you grab an x from the limits of integration. The resulting integral is elementary.
 
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To be honest seeing as it's very easy to work out an answer if it's

1:[tex]\int_0^1\int_y^1 (e^x)^2\; dx[/tex]

And it's more difficult but still possible to evaluate

2:[tex]\int_0^1\int_y^1 e^{x^2}\; dx[/tex]

I'd say it's most likely the second one. But that said as said above we need to know which is which.

So which is it eq. 1: or eq. 2:?

Indeed slider this is true, it's actually not that awkward, if you know what you are doing either way. However it becomes much more difficult when you don't know what the question is. :wink::smile:
 
  • #10
slider142 said:
f(x, y) = ex2 is constant in y. Switching the order of integration gives us the integral:
[tex]\int_0^1\int_0^x e^{x^2} dy dx[/tex]
This simplifies easily, as you grab an x from the limits of integration. The resulting integral is elementary.

That's an excellent point that I completely missed. Thanks.
 
  • #11
But then doesn't the x*e^x^2 integrated over dx bring me back to the same problem of being unable to integrate e^x^2?
 
  • #12
No, do a substitution. u=x^2, du=2xdx. And STOP writing e^x^2, that's not clear.
 
  • #13
goatsebear said:
But then doesn't the x*e^x^2 integrated over dx bring me back to the same problem of being unable to integrate e^x^2?

hint: click on equation 2 from my post above then cut and paste the latex into the post window. Then everyone will know what you mean.

[tex]\int_0^1\int_0^x e^{x^2} dy dx[/tex]

[tex]\int xe^u\;dx[/tex]
 
Last edited:

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