Help with numerical integration

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the numerical integration of the function \(\int_0^\infty \frac{1}{(1+x)\sqrt{x}} dx\), with participants helping to clarify its analytical solution, which equals \(\pi\). A substitution of \(\sqrt{x}=t\) is suggested to simplify the integration process. The limit of the integral function \(P(x)\) as \(x\) approaches infinity is confirmed to be \(\pi\), while the integrand itself approaches zero. The user expresses gratitude for the assistance received and indicates plans to implement the integration in C code. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the distinction between the function and its limit.
Dominguez Scaramanga
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Hello there, I've not been here in a while, but I'm stuck doing this integration and wondered if some of you kind people would help :smile:

\int_0^\infty \frac{1} {(1+x)\sqrt{x}} dx

(appologies for the lack of spacing in there...)

anyways, I know that when x tends to infinity, the integral can be approximated to,


\int_0^\infty \frac{1} {(x)\sqrt{x}} dx

but I can't seem to find this identity in any of my tables anywhere...

The reason I need it is because I'm in the processes of writing some c code to analytically calculate this with a specified degree of acuracy, (am going to use the trapezium method of integration I think) so it would be nice to know if the answers I get out of it are any good or not!

thanks for you time :smile:
 
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use rules of exponents.

1/(x(sqrtx)) = x^(-3/2)
 
awesome, thanks DeadWolfe :)
 
That integral (the first) can be very simply computed analytically to yield the result \pi...Heck,u can even define \pi by it

\pi=:\int_{0}^{+\infty} \frac{dx}{(1+x)\sqrt{x}}

HINT:Make the obvious substitution
\sqrt{x}=t

Daniel.
 
wow, even more helpful, thanks a lot :smile:

also, would I be correct in saying that the limit of the integrand as x-->infinity is pi, in that case?
or have I got completely mudled up? :confused:
 
Define

P(x)=:\int_{0}^{x} \frac{dt}{(1+t)\sqrt{t}}

Show that

P(x)=2\arctan x

Then it's easy to say

\lim_{x\rightarrow +\infty} P(x)=\pi

Not the integrand!The integrands's (inferior) limit to 0 is +\infty,while its limit to +\infty is 0 (:wink:)

Daniel.
 
thanks very much for your help dextercioby, it'll be most useful!

now all I've got to do is figure out how to do this with C :wink:

also, where you have,

P(x)=:\int_{0}^{x} \frac{dt}{(1+t)\sqrt{t}}

that'll yield the same result as for

F(x)=:\int_{0}^{+\infty} \frac{dx}{(1+x)\sqrt{x}}

with the substitution

\sqrt{x}=t

right?
:smile:
 
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Nope.The second (the one with F(x)) is a number,while the first is a function...So in the second case,the notation is incorrect...

Daniel.
 
ah I see, ok, so the first one, with x = +infinity, will equal pi, the same as the bottom one would (had I wrote it correctly).
 
  • #11
finally :-p thanks very much for your help :smile:
 
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