How to Integrate exp(x)*erfc(x) in MATLAB?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on integrating the expression exp(x)*erfc(x) in MATLAB, with the user encountering a warning message indicating that an explicit integral could not be found. The conversation highlights the distinction between numerical and symbolic integration, with suggestions leaning towards numerical methods due to the complexity of the function. Users emphasize the importance of defining all parameters involved in the integration process and provide an example using the trapezoid rule for numerical integration. The need for clarity in variable definitions is stressed, particularly regarding the multiplication of variables in MATLAB. Additionally, the possibility of using fictitious values for integration is mentioned, suggesting flexibility in the approach to numerical integration.
bhartish
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I have doubt in MATLAB

How to integrate

exp(x)*erfc(x) ? in MATLAB

The warning msg it is displaying is :

EXPLICIT integral could not be found
 
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Are you trying to do numerical or symbolic integration? Maybe that's a function which has no analytic integral? If numerical, what are the limits?
 
I have an expression involving seven parameters. I need to first integrate the entire expression from 0 to t and then get the values by substitution method. Matlab is not supporting symbolic integration. hence I am planning to Numerical .
 
Oops I didn't see the title of you message. In that case there must be something wrong with your Matlab code since it should be able to integrate anything it can evaluate. Could you paste the code, including the limits of the integration?

Seems like a function that can easily be numerically integrated over any range of x.

Does it actually produce a solution, but you don't trust it because of the warning message?
 
e^(a+bt) erfc(-c+rt)exp((t-q)/l)

within the limits o to t
 
If you're using undefined a, b, c, r, q, and l, that's not numerical integration (especially if you're also attempting to integrate to an undefined 't').
 
I have all the values of a, b, c, r, q, l and t. Then how to go about it ?
 
Write a small script to do so. For instance, the following uses the trapezoid rule to find the integral between 0 and pi of the sine function.

Code:
	t=0:pi/100:pi;	% t values
	y=sin(1*t);		% calculation of function at all t
	A = trapz(y,t);	% implements trapezoid rule

Why did I explicitly use 1*t? While I could have just used t, it's to illustrate that there is no implicit multiplication in MATLAB (i.e. rt refers to the value / vector / matrix rt, while r*t refers to the product of r and t). I'd suggest writing up a small function (just as I've done above) in Notepad / Text Editor / EMacs / Vi, and then paste it here between the [code ][/ code] tags (no spaces in the tags).
 
I will get back to you sir.
 
  • #10
I will clear one doubt. rt is r*t only. rt is definitely not a single variable.

I have one doubt can't we take some fictitous value and start integration of error function and exponential ?
 
  • #11
bhartish said:
I will clear one doubt. rt is r*t only. rt is definitely not a single variable.

I have one doubt can't we take some fictitous value and start integration of error function and exponential ?

It's your work--you can put in whatever you want!
 

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