Find the derivative of given function and hence find its integral

Click For Summary
The derivative of the function y = x^2 ln x - x is confirmed as dy/dx = 2x ln x + x - 1. The integral of this expression is calculated as ∫[2x ln x + x - 1] dx = x^2 ln x - x. A correction is noted regarding the subtraction of ∫x, leading to ∫[2x ln x] dx = x^2 ln x - ∫x. The discussion also highlights the use of Taylor series for a rough estimate of the integral over the interval [1, 2], reinforcing the accuracy of the calculations. Overall, the participants validate the steps while providing insights into potential pitfalls in the integration process.
chwala
Gold Member
Messages
2,827
Reaction score
415
Homework Statement
find the derivative of ##y=x^2ln x-x## hence evaluate ##\int_1^2 xln x \ dx##
Relevant Equations
differentiation
##y=x^2ln x-x##
##\frac {dy}{dx}=2x ln x+x-1##
##\int [2xln x+x-1]\,dx##=##x^2ln x-x##, since ##\int -1 dx= -x##
it follows that,
##\int [2x ln x +x]\,dx##=##x^2 ln x##
##\int 2x ln x \,dx = x^2ln x##+##\int x\,dx##
##\int_1^2 xln x\,dx =\frac {x^2ln x}{2}##+##\frac{x^2}{4}##=##2ln2+1-0.25##
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
So from your last formula
\int_1^2 LHS\ dx = \int_1^2 RHS\ dx
 
Hello Chwala,

$$\frac {dy}{dx}=2x \ln x+x-1$$was correct. I think you had an equation following that looking like $$x \ln x = {1\over 2} \frac {dy}{dx} - {x\over 2} + {1\over 2} $$which was correct as well. And prompted @mitochan to 'hint' $$\int_1^2 LHS\ dx = \int_1^2 RHS\ dx\ .$$ As the exercise text suggests.

Your $$\int [2x\ln x+x]\,dx =x^2\ln x$$ is still fine.

But then you fall into a trap. You want to subtract ##\int x## on both sides, so you should get $$\int [2x\ln x]\,dx =x^2\ln x- \int x$$

Other than that, bravo !

##\ ##
 
  • Like
Likes chwala
For fun and profit and as a nice extension of this exercise (but I understand those who consider it showing off :wink: ) :

Note that you could have done a coarse check on the answer with the help of mr. Taylor:

The Taylor series of ##\ln(1+\epsilon)## is pretty common knowledge:$$
\ln(1+\epsilon) = \epsilon - {\epsilon^2\over 2} + {\epsilon^3\over 3} - \ ... $$ so in the range ##\ [1,2]\ ## we have for ##\ \epsilon = x-1 \ ## that ##\ x\ln x < x(x-1) \ ## and therefore $$
\int_1^2 x\ln x \;dx < \int_1^2 x(x-1) \;dx =
\tfrac{1}{3} x^3- \tfrac {1}{2} x^2 \; \Bigg |_1^2 = {7\over 3 } - {3\over 2} = {5\over 6} $$ whereas your answer is clearly ##>1## ...

1614874673850.png

##\ ##
 
BvU said:
Hello Chwala,

$$\frac {dy}{dx}=2x \ln x+x-1$$was correct. I think you had an equation following that looking like $$x \ln x = {1\over 2} \frac {dy}{dx} - {x\over 2} + {1\over 2} $$which was correct as well. And prompted @mitochan to 'hint' $$\int_1^2 LHS\ dx = \int_1^2 RHS\ dx\ .$$ As the exercise text suggests.

Your $$\int [2x\ln x+x]\,dx =x^2\ln x$$ is still fine.

But then you fall into a trap. You want to subtract ##\int x## on both sides, so you should get $$\int [2x\ln x]\,dx =x^2\ln x- \int x$$

Other than that, bravo !

##\ ##

aaargh! i see that, $$x \ln x = {1\over 2} \frac {dy}{dx} - {x\over 2} + {1\over 2} $$
$$\int_1^2 LHS\ dx = \int_1^2 RHS\ dx\ .$$
##\int_1^2 xln x \,dx=\int_1^2 [\frac {dy}{dx} - {x\over 2} + {1\over 2}] dx##
=
BvU said:
Hello Chwala,

$$\frac {dy}{dx}=2x \ln x+x-1$$was correct. I think you had an equation following that looking like $$x \ln x = {1\over 2} \frac {dy}{dx} - {x\over 2} + {1\over 2} $$which was correct as well. And prompted @mitochan to 'hint' $$\int_1^2 LHS\ dx = \int_1^2 RHS\ dx\ .$$ As the exercise text suggests.

Your $$\int [2x\ln x+x]\,dx =x^2\ln x$$ is still fine.

But then you fall into a trap. You want to subtract ##\int x## on both sides, so you should get $$\int [2x\ln x]\,dx =x^2\ln x- \int x$$

Other than that, bravo !

##\ ##
let me correct that...
 
##y=x^2ln x-x##
##\frac {dy}{dx}=2x ln x+x-1##
##\int [2xln x+x-1]\,dx##=##x^2ln x-x##, since ##\int -1 dx= -x##
it follows that,
##\int [2x ln x +x]\,dx##=##x^2 ln x##
##\int 2x ln x \,dx = x^2ln x##-##\int x\,dx##
##\int_1^2 xln x\,dx =\frac {x^2ln x}{2}##-##\frac{x^2}{4}##=##2ln2-1+0.25##=##2ln2-0.75##...1

alternatively as you had suggested,

##\frac {dy}{dx}-x +1=2x ln x##
##\frac {1}{2}\frac {dy}{dx}-\frac {1}{2}x +\frac {1}{2}=xln x##
##\int x ln x\,dx##=## \int [ \frac {1}{2}\frac {dy}{dx}-\frac {1}{2}x +\frac {1}{2}\,]dx##
##\int_1^2 x ln x\,dx##=## \int_1^2 [ \frac {1}{2}\frac {dy}{dx}-\frac {1}{2}x +\frac {1}{2}\,]dx##
##\int_1^2 x ln x\,dx##=## \frac {1}{2}y##-##\frac {1}{4}x^2## +##\frac {1}{2}x## with limits ##x=1## and ##x=2## in mind, it follows that,
##\int_1^2 x ln x\,dx##=## \frac {1}{2}[x^2ln x-x]##-##\frac {1}{4}x^2## +##\frac {1}{2}x##
##\int_1^2 x ln x\,dx##=##\frac {1}{2}x^2ln x##-##\frac {1}{4}x^2##...which will realize the same result as equation 1 above by substitution of limits ##x=1## and ##x=2##.
 
chwala said:
##y=x^2ln x-x##
##\frac {dy}{dx}=2x ln x+x-1##
##\int [2xln x+x-1]\,dx=x^2ln x-x## .
Since ##\int -1 dx= -x## ,
it follows that, ##\int [2x ln x +x]\,dx=x^2 ln x##
##\int 2x ln x \,dx = x^2ln x##-##\int x\,dx##
Good. (Of course there is also a Constant of Integration. But that loses importance for the definite integral.)

A slight tweak to the above method.

By doing the suggested differentiation you have established that ##\displaystyle \int (2x\ln x+x-1)\,dx=x^2\ln x-x ## .

So ##\displaystyle \int 2x\ln x\,dx##

##\quad \quad = \displaystyle \int (2x\ln x+(x-1)-(x-1))\,dx##

##\quad \quad = \displaystyle \int (2x\ln x+x-1)\, dx + \int -(x-1)\,dx##

##\quad \quad = \displaystyle x^2 \ln (x)-x - \frac{x^2}{2} +x + C##

##\quad \quad = \displaystyle x^2 \ln (x) - \frac{x^2}{2} + C##
 
  • Like
Likes chwala
SammyS said:
Good. (Of course there is also a Constant of Integration. But that loses importance for the definite integral.)

A slight tweak to the above method.

By doing the suggested differentiation you have established that ##\displaystyle \int (2x\ln x+x-1)\,dx=x^2\ln x-x ## .

So ##\displaystyle \int 2x\ln x\,dx##

##\quad \quad = \displaystyle \int (2x\ln x+(x-1)-(x-1))\,dx##

##\quad \quad = \displaystyle \int (2x\ln x+x-1)\, dx + \int -(x-1)\,dx##

##\quad \quad = \displaystyle x^2 \ln (x)-x - \frac{x^2}{2} +x + C##

##\quad \quad = \displaystyle x^2 \ln (x) - \frac{x^2}{2} + C##

good one Sammy! Brilliant mate!:cool:
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 105 ·
4
Replies
105
Views
5K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
3K