How can substitution help with the integration of powers of ln x?

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    Integration Ln
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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of the function involving powers of the natural logarithm, specifically the integral of ln(x) raised to the 2009th power. Participants are exploring various methods to approach this integration problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using integration by parts and substitution methods, particularly suggesting u = ln(x) as a potential substitution. There are attempts to identify patterns or series that could simplify the integration process.

Discussion Status

Several participants have shared their attempts and insights, noting the potential for a recurrence relation in the integration process. There is an ongoing exploration of different substitution strategies, and while some participants have found success with their approaches, there is no explicit consensus on a single method yet.

Contextual Notes

Some participants clarify that the powers discussed are applied to ln(x) rather than x itself, which may influence the integration techniques considered. There is also mention of the complexity involved in certain substitutions, indicating that the problem may have multiple interpretations.

ritwik06
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Homework Statement



Find
[tex]\int ln x^{2009}[/tex]

Homework Equations



The integration by parts!

The Attempt at a Solution



I have been trying to discover a series which might have helped:
I have taken out the integrals of :
1) ln x = x ln x -x
2) [tex]ln x^{2}[/tex]=x ([tex]ln x^{2}[/tex])-2x ln x +2x
3)[tex]ln x^{3}[/tex]=x[tex]ln x^{3}[/tex]-3x[tex]ln x^{2}[/tex]+6x ln x-6x
4)[tex]ln x^{4}[/tex]=x[tex]ln x^{4}[/tex]-4x[tex]ln x^{3}[/tex]+12x [tex]ln x^{2}[/tex]-12x ln x +12x


But I am unable to find a series. Please help!
 
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Please note that all the powers here are not on x but on (ln x)
 
Hey, have u found out the pattern urself?
 
ritwik06 said:
Hey, have u found out the pattern urself?

I got it as a series doing it just as Vid said. By integrating by parts you can find a recurrence relation that [itex]I_n = \int (\ln x)^n dx[/itex] must satisfy and from that you can figure out the series. So keep working, it's not too bad!
 
Maybe I'm missing something, but that sub got me Int( (ln(x))^2009)dx = 1/2009Int(e^(u^(1/2009))*u^(1/2009)du. The first sub got me Int(u^(2009)*e^(u))du. The second one is much easier to get to and to solve.
 
Here's what I have:

[tex]u = (ln x)^{2009} \ du=2009\frac{{lnx}^{2008}}{x}[/tex]
[tex]dv=1 \ v = x[/tex]
[tex]\int (lnx)^{2009} dx = x(lnx)^{2009} - 2009\int (lnx)^{2008} dx[/tex]

And so on...

Actually I think it's the same thing, only with different variables.
 
Yea, my u was for a change of variable followed by a by parts. Yours was just a by parts so it's the same. I had thought you meant to do a change of variable with u = ln(x)^2009 which is pretty messy.
 
  • #10
or maybe you can substitute u=ln(x), which would leave you with integrals in terms of e^(u) which, i think, will be easier to work with as compared to ln(x)
 

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