Find $f_n$ of Integral of x^{-x}

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SUMMARY

The integral of \( x^{-x} \) from 0 to 1 is expressed as \( \int_0^1 x^{-x}dx = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} f_n \), where \( f_n = \frac{1}{n^n} \). This result is derived by rewriting \( x^{-x} \) as \( e^{-x \ln x} \) and utilizing power series expansion. The integration is performed term-wise, leveraging the formula \( \int_{0}^{1} x^n \ln^m(x) dx = \frac{(-1)^m m!}{(n+1)^{m+1}} \) to arrive at the conclusion.

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$$ \int_0^1 x^{-x}dx=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}f_n $$Find $f_n$.
 
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Very easy, it's well known, I think it doesn't even count as a "challenge," and why is this, because you express $x^{-x}$ as $e^{-x\ln x}$ and use power series, that's all.
 
Markov said:
Very easy, it's well known, I think it doesn't even count as a "challenge," and why is this, because you express $x^{-x}$ as $e^{-x\ln x}$ and use power series, that's all.
Yes. You are right it is not a "challenge"! This is what happens when you have nothing to do on 03:00 am. :(
 
1. Let \( \displaystyle I=\int_{0}^{1}x^{-x} dx \)

2. \(\displaystyle x^{-x}= e^{-x \ln(x)}= 1-\frac{x\ln(x)}{1!}+\frac{x^2\ln^2(x)}{2!}-\frac{x^3\ln^3(x)}{3!}+\cdots\)

3. \( \displaystyle \int_{0}^{1}x^{-x} dx= \int_{0}^{1}e^{-x \ln(x)} dx = \int_{0}^{1} \Big( 1-\frac{x\ln(x)}{1!}+\frac{x^2\ln^2(x)}{2!}-\frac{x^3\ln^3(x)}{3!}+\cdots \Big)dx\)

4. Note That: \( \displaystyle \int_{0}^{1} x^n \ln^m(x) dx=\frac{(-1)^m m!}{(n+1)^{m+1}}\)

5. Integrating term wise by using the above formula we obtain:\( \displaystyle I=1 +\frac{1}{2^2}+\frac{1}{3^3}+\cdots =\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{n^n} \)

So \(\displaystyle f_n = \frac{1}{n^n} \)
 
Last edited:
sbhatnagar said:
4. Note That: \( \displaystyle \int_{0}^{1} x^n \ln^m(x) dx=\frac{(-1)^m m!}{(n+1)^{m+1}}\)

How do you prove this statement?
 
DrunkenOldFool said:
How do you prove this statement?

\( \displaystyle \int_{0}^{1}x^n \ln^m(x) dx =\int_{0}^{\infty}e^{-x(n+1)} (-x)^m dx=(-1)^m \int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-x(n+1)} x^m=\frac{(-1)^m \Gamma(m+1)}{(n+1)^{m+1}}=\frac{(-1)^m m!}{(n+1)^{m+1}}\)
 
sbhatnagar said:
3. \( \displaystyle \int_{0}^{1}x^{-x} dx= \int_{0}^{1}e^{-x \ln(x)} dx = \int_{0}^{1} \Big( 1-\frac{x\ln(x)}{1!}+\frac{x^2\ln^2(x)}{2!}-\frac{x^3\ln^3(x)}{3!}+\cdots \Big)dx\)
This step is important, we can swap sum an integral because of the Monotone Convergence Theorem, since the terms of the series are non-negative.
 
Why would we need to invoke a convergence theorem from Lebesgue integration when the exponential series converges uniformly?
 
It doesn't matter, you're just justifying it.
 
  • #10
sbhatnagar said:
1. Let \( \displaystyle I=\int_{0}^{1}x^{-x} dx \)

2. \(\displaystyle x^{-x}= e^{-x \ln(x)}= 1-\frac{x\ln(x)}{1!}+\frac{x^2\ln^2(x)}{2!}-\frac{x^3\ln^3(x)}{3!}+\cdots\)

3. \( \displaystyle \int_{0}^{1}x^{-x} dx= \int_{0}^{1}e^{-x \ln(x)} dx = \int_{0}^{1} \Big( 1-\frac{x\ln(x)}{1!}+\frac{x^2\ln^2(x)}{2!}-\frac{x^3\ln^3(x)}{3!}+\cdots \Big)dx\)

4. Note That: \( \displaystyle \int_{0}^{1} x^n \ln^m(x) dx=\frac{(-1)^m m!}{(n+1)^{m+1}}\)

5. Integrating term wise by using the above formula we obtain:\( \displaystyle I=1 +\frac{1}{2^2}+\frac{1}{3^3}+\cdots =\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{1}{n^n} \)

So \(\displaystyle f_n = \frac{1}{n^n} \)

i can't understand 3. line
 
  • #11
A power series expansion was done.
 
  • #12
oasi said:
i can't understand 3. line

Taylor Series,

$\displaystyle e^x=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{x^n}{n!}$

$\displaystyle e^{-x\ln(x)}=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^n x^n \ln^n(x)}{n!}$
 

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