Express the indefinite integral as a power series.

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves expressing the integral of (e^x - 1)/x as a power series. The subject area is calculus, specifically focusing on integration and series expansion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the possibility of using Taylor series to express the function (e^x - 1)/x. There are attempts to rewrite the function and explore its derivatives. Questions arise about the validity of different approaches, including the use of series expansions and term-by-term integration.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing with various approaches being explored. Some participants have provided hints regarding the series form of e^x and the process of integrating term by term. There is no explicit consensus on the best method yet, as participants are still clarifying their understanding and reasoning.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the function does not have a straightforward antiderivative, which adds complexity to the problem. There is also mention of ensuring the convergence of the resultant series after integration.

Sabricd
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Hello,

I'm kind of stuck in this problem. I have to express the integral as a power series.

the integral of (e^x -1)/x

I thought about evaluating it as f(x)=(e^x -1)/x and treating it as a Taylor series is that correct? Could I have any other hints?

I would really appreciate it!
-Sabrina
 
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Rewrite it as ex[/su]/x - 1/x

and you know the series form for ex.
 
I'm sorry I'm not sure I understood that :(

-Sabrina
 
Would it be pointless to treat it as f(x)=(e^x -1)/x and then take its fourth derivative and use Taylor series then?
 
Sabricd said:
Would it be pointless to treat it as f(x)=(e^x -1)/x and then take its fourth derivative and use Taylor series then?

It would be the same thing, but it would take more work to find the series for (ex-1)/x than taking subbing the series for ex into

∫(ex/x - 1/x) dx
 
This one doesn't have an antiderivative so you have to express first (exp(x)-1)/x as a Taylor series and then integrate term by term, and you have to make sure that the resultant series converges.

You already know the series expansion of exp(x), so it's easy to find the series of exp(x)/x just divide each term by x, and then substract the series expansion of 1/x.
 
Last edited:
Hi,
OK. So would it be correct if I do:
f(x)=(e^x-1)/x
f(x)=e^x/x - 1/x
\Sigma(e^x)/x -\Sigma(1/x)

(1/x)\Sigma(e^x) -\Sigma(1/x)
(1/x)\Sigma(x^n/n!) - \Sigma(1/x)

...is this correct? that's what I have so far and I'm not really sure if it's right.

Thank you,
-Sabrina
 

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