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

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral of the function (sin(100*x))^x over the interval [0, 2pi]. Participants are exploring the nature of this integral and its potential complexities.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the challenges of integrating a function that may be non-elementary and question the implications of oscillatory behavior in the integrand. There are inquiries about the domain of definition and the behavior of the function when raised to a real exponent.

Discussion Status

Several participants have noted the difficulties encountered with numerical integration tools and the potential for complex values in the integrand. Guidance has been offered to analyze the function through plotting and to consider the implications of the oscillatory nature of the sine function.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of the domain being [0, 100], which may affect the analysis of the integral. Participants are also considering the implications of using principal values in numerical methods.

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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Mathematica also says it doesn't. Even NIntegrate (integrating numerically) returns error messages.
 
What is the domain of definition of the integrand

[tex] \sin^{x}(100 \, x)[/tex]
 
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.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I will try the plotting, jackmell. Dickfore, the domain is [0,100]. any thoughts about that?
 

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