Half Comes From Where? Understanding the Origin of 1/2

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The discussion focuses on solving the integral of 1 + cos(2t) and understanding how to simplify it to derive the limit that results in 1/2. Participants share their approaches to integrating the function and discuss the implications of limits as T approaches infinity. There is a consensus that the integral can be simplified to yield a constant value of 1/2 for any T not equal to zero. Additionally, the conversation highlights the importance of correctly applying limit theorems and addressing potential errors in calculations. The exchange emphasizes the collaborative effort to clarify the mathematical process behind the integral.
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Let me know how 1/2 comes from it.see attachemet
 

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Have you tried anything for yourself?

Solve the integral and see if you can simplify the limit to transform the expression into a form that you know the answer to.
 
i tried a lot but answer goes wrong..
i didn't touched with calculus since long time...May be it is because of this...
For the integral of 1+cos(2t) gives 2T+sin(2T).
 
waqarrashid33 said:
i tried a lot but answer goes wrong..
i didn't touched with calculus since long time...May be it is because of this...
For the integral of 1+cos(2t) gives 2T+sin(2T).

Yes that would probably be the problem then.
\int1+\cos(2t)dt=t+\frac{1}{2}\sin(2t)

Start from there.
 
waqarrashid33 said:
i tried a lot but answer goes wrong..
i didn't touched with calculus since long time...May be it is because of this...
For the integral of 1+cos(2t) gives 2T+sin(2T).

Try solving your improper integral (for 1 + cos(2t) you will get anti-derivative t + 1/2sin(2t)) and then expand into F(T) - F(-T), collect your constant outside of the integral (1/2T) bring it together and you will get a limit expression in terms of T where T goes to infinity.

There are limit theorems you can use to solve this also.
 
Thanks...
 
waqarrashid33 said:
Thanks...



Interesting: you don't even need \,\,T\to\infty\,\,. It is 1/2 for any \,\,T\neq 0\,.

DonAntonio
 
DonAntonio said:
Interesting: you don't even need \,\,T\to\infty\,\,. It is 1/2 for any \,\,T\neq 0\,.

DonAntonio

Not quite, the final steps of the solution are to simplify \frac{1}{2}\left(1+\lim_{T\to a}\frac{\sin(2T)}{2T}\right)

and that expression is only equal to 1/2 if \lim_{T\to a}\frac{\sin(2T)}{2T}=0 which only happens for a=\infty
 
Mentallic said:
Not quite, the final steps of the solution are to simplify \frac{1}{2}\left(1+\lim_{T\to a}\frac{\sin(2T)}{2T}\right)

and that expression is only equal to 1/2 if \lim_{T\to a}\frac{\sin(2T)}{2T}=0 which only happens for a=\infty



I don't know how you got that. I get
\int_{-T}^T \cos^2(t)dt=\left[\frac{t+\cos t\sin t}{2}\right]_{-T}^T=\frac{1}{2}\left[T+\cos T\sin T-\left(-T-\cos(-T)\sin(-T)\right)\right]=\frac{2T}{2}=T
as \,\,\cos(-T)\sin(-T)=-\cos T\sin T\,\, , and then
\frac{1}{2T}\int^T_{-T}\cos^2 t\,dt=\frac{1}{2}
like that, without limit...

DonAntonio
 
  • #10
DonAntonio said:
I don't know how you got that. I get
\int_{-T}^T \cos^2(t)dt=\left[\frac{t+\cos t\sin t}{2}\right]_{-T}^T

How did you get that?

\cos^2t=\frac{1}{2}\left(1+\cos(2t)\right)

Oh ok I see what you have, after integrating you converted sin(2t) to 2sin(t)cos(t)

DonAntonio said:
\left(-T-\cos(-T)\sin(-T)\right)

This should be

\left(-T+\cos(-T)\sin(-T)\right)
 
Last edited:
  • #11
Mentallic said:
How did you get that?

\cos^2t=\frac{1}{2}\left(1+\cos(2t)\right)

Oh ok I see what you have, after integrating you converted sin(2t) to 2sin(t)cos(t)



This should be

\left(-T+\cos(-T)\sin(-T)\right)


Yes indeed. So much worrying about the change of sign in the sine of -T that I forgot I had that minus sign out of the parentheses. Thanx.

DonAntonio
 

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