Evaluation of definite integral (is it correct?)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the evaluation of the definite integral $$\int_0^2 \left(e^x-e^{-x}\right)^2\,dx$$. Participants explore different methods of integration, including integration by parts and transformations of the integrand, while also addressing the correctness of the approaches taken.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a method involving the transformation of the integrand into hyperbolic functions, leading to the expression $$\sinh(4)-4$$ as the result.
  • Another participant agrees with the correctness of the result and provides a similar approach, confirming the evaluation of the integral using hyperbolic identities.
  • A different participant introduces integration by parts to derive the integral of $$\sinh^2(x)$$, which may relate to the evaluation of the original integral.
  • Another method is suggested that simplifies the integrand directly to $$\int_0^2 e^{2x}- 2+e^{-2x} dx$$, leading to a different expression for the result.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is some agreement on the correctness of the integral evaluation, with multiple methods presented. However, the discussion includes different approaches and results, indicating that there is no consensus on a single method or final expression.

Contextual Notes

Some methods rely on specific transformations and identities that may not be universally accepted or may depend on the interpretation of the integral. The discussion reflects various perspectives on the evaluation process without resolving the differences in approaches.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in integral calculus, particularly those exploring hyperbolic functions and integration techniques, may find this discussion beneficial.

Noah1
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MarkFL said:
To find the intersection(s) in the given interval, we may write:

$$\sin(x)=\cos(x)$$

Now, observing that $$\cos\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right)=\cos\left(\frac{3\pi}{2}\right)=0$$ and:

$$\cos\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right)\ne\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right)$$

$$\cos\left(\frac{3\pi}{2}\right)\ne\sin\left(\frac{3\pi}{2}\right)$$

We may then divide though by $\cos(x)$ without losing any solutions on the given interval to get:

$$\tan(x)=1$$

And, given the periodicity of the tangent function and the quadrant I solution of $$x=\frac{\pi}{4}$$, we may give the general solution as:

$$x=\frac{\pi}{4}+k\pi=\frac{\pi}{4}(4k+1)$$ where $k\in\mathbb{Z}$

Now, along with the given interval and what we found at the endpoints, we may write:

$$\frac{\pi}{2}<\frac{\pi}{4}(4k+1)<\frac{3\pi}{2}$$

$$2<4k+1<6$$

$$1<4k<5$$

$$\frac{1}{4}<k<\frac{5}{4}$$

Hence (given that $k$ is an integer):

$k=1$

And so the intersection of the two functions occurs for:

$$x=\frac{\pi}{4}(4(1)+1)=\frac{5\pi}{4}$$

Now, observing that:

$$\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right)>\cos\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right)$$

$$\sin\left(\frac{3\pi}{2}\right)<\cos\left(\frac{3\pi}{2}\right)$$

We may conclude:

$$\sin(x)>\cos(x)$$ on $$\left[\frac{\pi}{2},\frac{5\pi}{4}\right)$$

$$\cos(x)>\sin(x)$$ on $$\left(\frac{5\pi}{4},\frac{3\pi}{2}\right]$$

And so the area $A$ in question will be given by:

$$A=\int_{\frac{\pi}{2}}^{\frac{5\pi}{4}} \sin(x)-\cos(x)\,dx+\int_{\frac{5\pi}{4}}^{\frac{3\pi}{2}} \cos(x)-\sin(x)\,dx=(1+\sqrt{2})+(\sqrt{2}-1)=2\sqrt{2}$$

Is this question correct? We are given to evaluate:

$$\int_0^2 \left(e^x-e^{-x}\right)^2\,dx$$

$$2\left(\frac{1}{2}\sinh(x)-x\right)$$

$$2\left(\frac{1}{2}\sinh(2\cdot2)-2\right)-2\left(\frac{1}{2}\sinh(2\cdot0)-0\right)$$

$$\sinh(4)-4$$
 
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Noah said:
Is this question correct? We are given to evaluate:

$$\int_0^2 \left(e^x-e^{-x}\right)^2\,dx$$

$$2\left(\frac{1}{2}\sinh(x)-x\right)$$

$$2\left(\frac{1}{2}\sinh(2\cdot2)-2\right)-2\left(\frac{1}{2}\sinh(2\cdot0)-0\right)$$

$$\sinh(4)-4$$

I have moved this post to its own thread, because we really don't want threads to become a series of one question after another. It is best for forum organization for each question to be in its own thread.

Your result is correct...I would have written essentially the same thing:

$$\int_0^2 \left(e^x-e^{-x}\right)^2\,dx=4\int_0^2 \sinh^2(x)\,dx=2\int_0^2 \cosh(2x)-1\,dx=2\left[\frac{1}{2}\sinh(2x)-x\right]_0^2=2\left(\frac{1}{2}\sinh(4)-2-\frac{1}{2}\sinh(0)+0\right)=\sinh(4)-4$$
 
Integration by parts:

$$\begin{align*}\int\sinh^2(x)\,\text{d}x&=\sinh(x)\cosh(x)-\int\cosh^2(x)\,\text{d}x \\
&=\sinh(x)\cosh(x)-x-\int\sinh^2(x)\,\text{d}x \\
2\int\sinh^2(x)\,\text{d}x&=\sinh(x)\cosh(x)-x \\
\int\sinh^2(x)\,\text{d}x&=\frac12(\sinh(x)\cosh(x)-x)+C\end{align*}$$
 
Or: [math]\int_0^2 (e^x- e^{-x})^2 dx=\int_0^2 e^{2x}- 2+e^{-2x} dx=\left[\frac{1}{2}e^{2x}-2x- \frac{1}{2}e^{-2x}\right]_0^2= \left(\frac{e^4}{2}- 4- \frac{e^{-4}}{2}\right)[/math]
 

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