Finding Integrals of Non-Elementary Functions

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the evaluation of integrals involving non-elementary functions, specifically focusing on the integrals of the forms \(\int^{2}_{1}\frac{e^{x}}{x}dx\) and \(\int^{3}_{2}\frac{1}{\ln x}dx\). Participants reference the function \(F(x) = \int^{x}_{0}e^{e^{t}} dt\) and its properties as a continuous function, as established by the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore substitution methods and integration techniques, including u-substitution and integration by parts. There is a focus on how to express the integrals in terms of the function \(F\).

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided attempts at solutions and are seeking clarification on their approaches, particularly regarding the limits of integration and the evaluation of \(F(0)\). There is an ongoing exploration of the relationship between the integrals and the function \(F\), with various interpretations being discussed.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the implications of the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus in the context of non-elementary functions and the correct application of limits in their substitutions. There is uncertainty regarding the evaluation of specific integrals and the definitions of the functions involved.

Gwozdzilla
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Homework Statement


We know that F(x) = \int^{x}_{0}e^{e^{t}} dt is a continuous function by FTC1, though it is not an elementary function. The Functions \int\frac{e^{x}}{x}dx and \int\frac{1}{lnx}dx are not elementary funtions either but they can be expressed in terms of F.

a) \int^{2}_{1}\frac{e^{x}}{x}dx

b)\int^{3}_{2}\frac{1}{lnx}dx


Homework Equations


I only used and u-substitution in my attempt at a solution, but I suppose integration by parts and trigonometric substitution is fair game as well.

Integration by parts: \int udv = uv - \int vdu

The Attempt at a Solution



a) \int^{2}_{1}\frac{e^{x}}{x}dx

Let x = et
dx =etdx

\int\frac{e^{e^{t}}e^{t}}{e^{t}}dt

\int^{2}_{1}e^{e^{t}} dt

Is this answer correct? If it isn't, where did I go wrong? If it is, how do I put it in terms of F(x)?

b)\int^{3}_{2}\frac{1}{lnx}dx

let u = ln(x)
du = 1/x dx
xdu = dx
eudu = dx

\int\frac{e^{u}}{u}dx

Which this is just part a again.. but am I allowed to do u substitution that way by plugging in u into my du line since it ended up being in terms of an x I didn't have to substitute with?
 
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Gwozdzilla said:

Homework Statement


We know that F(x) = \int^{x}_{0}e^{e^{t}} dt is a continuous function by FTC1, though it is not an elementary function. The Functions \int\frac{e^{x}}{x}dx and \int\frac{1}{lnx}dx are not elementary funtions either but they can be expressed in terms of F.

a) \int^{2}_{1}\frac{e^{x}}{x}dx

b)\int^{3}_{2}\frac{1}{lnx}dx


Homework Equations


I only used and u-substitution in my attempt at a solution, but I suppose integration by parts and trigonometric substitution is fair game as well.

Integration by parts: \int udv = uv - \int vdu

The Attempt at a Solution



a) \int^{2}_{1}\frac{e^{x}}{x}dx

Let x = et
dx =etdx

\int\frac{e^{e^{t}}e^{t}}{e^{t}}dt

\int^{2}_{1}e^{e^{t}} dt

Is this answer correct? If it isn't, where did I go wrong? If it is, how do I put it in terms of F(x)?

Your limits on the last integral are incorrect; those are the ##x## limits. You need the new ##t## limits that correspond to them.

Once you have any integral of the form ##\int_a^b e^{e^t}~dt## you should be able to write it as ##F(b) - F(a)##. Do you see why?
 
So to find the correct variables...

2 = et
ln(2) = t
and
1 = et
ln(1) = t = 0

\int^{ln(2)}_{0}e^{e^{t}} dt

and the final answer would be F(ln2) - F(0) because FTC1 says

F(x) = \int^{b}_{a}f(x) dx = F(b) - F(a)

Right?
 
Gwozdzilla said:
So to find the correct variables...

2 = et
ln(2) = t
and
1 = et
ln(1) = t = 0

\int^{ln(2)}_{0}e^{e^{t}} dt

and the final answer would be F(ln2) - F(0)

and what is F(0)?

because FTC1 says

F(x) = \int^{b}_{a}f(x) dx = F(b) - F(a)

Right?

Yes and no. How can you have x on the left and no x on the right?
 
I'm not sure what F(0) is. I feel inclined to say that F(0) = e, but that's without evaluating \int e^{e^{t}}. But I don't know how to evaluate that integral. Do you want me to try to evaluate it or are you looking for a different answer? I'm confused.

For your second question... x isn't on the right side of that equation because a and b are being plugged in for x? I'm confused here too.
 
Gwozdzilla said:
I'm not sure what F(0) is. I feel inclined to say that F(0) = e, but that's without evaluating \int e^{e^{t}}. But I don't know how to evaluate that integral. Do you want me to try to evaluate it or are you looking for a different answer? I'm confused.

##F(x) = \int_0^x e^{e^t}~dt##. What do you get if you put ##x=0##?

For your second question... x isn't on the right side of that equation because a and b are being plugged in for x? I'm confused here too.

With that definition of ##F(x)## does it work out that ##F(b)-F(a) = \int_a^be^{e^t}~dt##?
 
If x = 0, then we're taking the integral from 0 to 0, which would have to be 0. Right?

Does F(b) - F(a) = \int^{b}_{a} e^{e^{t}} dx? I don't see why not..

Is it supposed to be F(b)F'(b) - F(a)F'(a)? I know that happens every now and then, but I'm pretty sure that's only for the case in which I'm looking for the derivative of F(x).
 
Gwozdzilla said:
If x = 0, then we're taking the integral from 0 to 0, [STRIKE]which would have to be[/STRIKE] so F(0)= 0. Right?

Yes.

Does F(b) - F(a) = \int^{b}_{a} e^{e^{t}} dx? I don't see why not..
.

That's not much of an answer. Do the calculation. Use the formula for ##F(x)## to write down ##F(b)## and ##F(a)## and work it out.
 
Gwozdzilla said:
If x = 0, then we're taking the integral from 0 to 0, which would have to be 0. Right?

Does F(b) - F(a) = \int^{b}_{a} e^{e^{t}} dx? I don't see why not..
Yes, that is correct. What LCKurtz was objecting to before, when you wrote
F(x)= \int_a^b e^{e^t} dt= F(b)- F(a)
was the "F(x)= " on the left. There is NO "x" in \int_a^b e^{e^t} dt= F(b)- F(a) so it cannot be any function of x.
 
  • #10
Gwozdzilla said:

Homework Statement


We know that F(x) = \int^{x}_{0}e^{e^{t}} dt is a continuous function by FTC1, though it is not an elementary function. The Functions \int\frac{e^{x}}{x}dx and \int\frac{1}{lnx}dx are not elementary funtions either but they can be expressed in terms of F.

a) \int^{2}_{1}\frac{e^{x}}{x}dx

b)\int^{3}_{2}\frac{1}{lnx}dx


Homework Equations


I only used and u-substitution in my attempt at a solution, but I suppose integration by parts and trigonometric substitution is fair game as well.

Integration by parts: \int udv = uv - \int vdu

The Attempt at a Solution



a) \int^{2}_{1}\frac{e^{x}}{x}dx

Let x = et
dx =etdx

Watch out, on the right side of the last equation you should have e^t dt, not e^t dx
 

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