Finding Bounds of Integration for Integral of Cos(2+x)

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the bounds of integration for the integral of cos(2+x). Participants are exploring how to express a sum as an integral and are questioning the appropriate limits for integration given the condition that the difference between bounds must equal 1.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between the bounds of integration and the expression for Δx, questioning whether arbitrary values for b and a can be chosen. They also consider the implications of identifying i/n with x and the limits of i/n as n approaches infinity.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on how to approach the problem by suggesting to write down the values of x_i for i=1..n to clarify the interval being used. There is an exploration of the limits leading to a proposed interval of 0 to 1, but no consensus has been reached on the final interpretation.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraint that the difference between the bounds of integration must equal 1, which influences their reasoning about the limits. There is also a focus on the behavior of the sum as n approaches infinity.

Qube
Gold Member
Messages
461
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement



http://i.minus.com/jJQzZXoxXFqEB.png

Homework Equations



(b-a)/n = Δx

The Attempt at a Solution



I know how to express the sum as an integral .. almost. It is the integral of cos(2+x) with respect to x. However, what are my bounds of integration? I know that b-a must equal 1, but I don't think I can pick any arbitrary b and a that are just one counting number apart, right?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Qube said:

Homework Statement



http://i.minus.com/jJQzZXoxXFqEB.png

Homework Equations



(b-a)/n = Δx

The Attempt at a Solution



I know how to express the sum as an integral .. almost. It is the integral of cos(2+x) with respect to x. However, what are my bounds of integration? I know that b-a must equal 1, but I don't think I can pick any arbitrary b and a that are just one number apart, right?

Write down the ##x_i## in this problem for ##i=1..n##. That will give you an idea of what interval is being used.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 1 person
Qube said:

Homework Statement



http://i.minus.com/jJQzZXoxXFqEB.png

Homework Equations



(b-a)/n = Δx

The Attempt at a Solution



I know how to express the sum as an integral .. almost. It is the integral of cos(2+x) with respect to x. However, what are my bounds of integration? I know that b-a must equal 1, but I don't think I can pick any arbitrary b and a that are just one number apart, right?

Of course, you can't. You are identifying i/n with x. What are the limits of i/n as i goes from 1 to n? Now what happens if you take the limit?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
LCKurtz said:
Write down the ##x_i## in this problem for ##i=1..n##. That will give you an idea of what interval is being used.

I'm going from 1/n to 1.

Dick said:
Of course, you can't. You are identifying i/n with x. What are the limits of i/n as i goes from 1 to n? Now what happens if you take the limit?

It seems as if when I take the limit as n approaches infinity 1/n becomes 0. The limit of a constant is the constant, so it appears my interval is 0 to 1.
 
So the limit of that sum as ##n\to \infty## is ...?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 1 person
LCKurtz said:
So the limit of that sum as ##n\to \infty## is ...?

The integral of cos(2 + x) with respect to x and with bounds as 0 and 1.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 1 person

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
24
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
1K