How to integrate x^(-a)*e^(-b/x), where a, b are constants?

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The discussion focuses on integrating the function x^(-a)e^(-b/x), where a and b are constants. Participants suggest using the Gamma function and mention a substitution of u = b/x to simplify the integration process. One user notes that Maple provides a solution involving exponentials and Whittaker M functions, though these may not be considered "closed forms" in the traditional sense. The conversation also touches on the context of the integral, specifically with bounds from 0 to infinity. Ultimately, the integration of this function remains complex, with various approaches yielding different forms of solutions.
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wow, you are really good.

Yes, I wrote a simplified version of inverse-gamma. I am looking for the posterior distribution.
 
colstat said:
wow, you are really good.

Yes, I wrote a simplified version of inverse-gamma. I am looking for the posterior distribution.

Try the substitution u = b/x

I am assuming you have 0 to infinite has bounds of the integral
 
colstat said:

Homework Statement


How do you integrate this?
x-ae-b/x, where a and b are some constants.


The Attempt at a Solution


I have tried this
http://integrals.wolfram.com/index.jsp?expr=x+*+e^%28-1%2Fx%29&random=false


Is there a closed form of this?

Maple gets an answer in terms of exponentials and Whittaker M functions. Of course, you might not regard that as a "closed form", since Whittaker functions are not "elementary".

RGV
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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