How to manipulate limits in this integral

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the manipulation of limits in a specific integral involving a function P and an exponential term. Participants explore different approaches to simplify the integral, which is presented in a mathematical context.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the integral ∫^{t}_{0} P(τ) exp( - a ∫^{t}_{τ} P(u) du) dτ and expresses uncertainty about how to manipulate the limits to arrive at a known answer.
  • Another participant suggests a substitution method involving y(τ) = -a∫^{τ}_{t} P(u) du, leading to a transformation of the integral into a form that can be evaluated.
  • A third participant proposes a different approach that involves rewriting the integral and factoring out an exponential term, ultimately expressing the integral in terms of I(t) = ∫^{t}_{0} P(u) du.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on a single method for manipulating the integral, as multiple approaches are presented, each with its own reasoning and steps. Participants share different techniques without resolving which is the most effective.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not clarify certain assumptions or dependencies in their approaches, and the discussion includes unresolved mathematical steps related to the manipulation of the integral.

nitin7785
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hi all,

I have following integral and i was wondering if i can manipulate limits to simplify it.

[itex]∫^{t}_{0} P(τ)[/itex] exp([itex]- a ∫^{t}_{τ} P(u) du[/itex]) dτ

I know that the answer is [itex]\frac{1}{a}[/itex] - [itex]\frac{1}{a}[/itex] exp([itex]- a ∫^{t}_{0} P(t) dt[/itex])

But don't know how to get there.

Thanks in advance.
 
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nitin7785 said:
hi all,

I have following integral and i was wondering if i can manipulate limits to simplify it.

[itex]∫^{t}_{0} P(τ)[/itex] exp([itex]- a ∫^{t}_{τ} P(u) du[/itex]) dτ

I know that the answer is [itex]\frac{1}{a}[/itex] - [itex]\frac{1}{a}[/itex] exp([itex]- a ∫^{t}_{0} P(t) dt[/itex])

But don't know how to get there.

Thanks in advance.

If you let ##y(\tau)=-a\int_\tau^tP(u)\ du##, then ##y_0=y(0)=-a\int_0^tP(u)\ du##, ##y_t=y(t)= -a\int_t^tP(u)\ du=0##, and ##y'(\tau)=aP(\tau)##. Then you get

##\int_0^tP(\tau)\text{exp}(-a\int_\tau^tP(u)\ du)\ d\tau=\int_0^t\frac{1}{a}y'(\tau)\text{exp}(y(\tau))\ d\tau=\frac{1}{a}\int_{y_0}^{y_t}e^y\ dy##.
 
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Thanks a lot for your answer.
 
nitin7785 said:
hi all,

I have following integral and i was wondering if i can manipulate limits to simplify it.

[itex]∫^{t}_{0} P(τ)[/itex] exp([itex]- a ∫^{t}_{τ} P(u) du)dτ[/itex]

I know that the answer is [itex]\frac{1}{a}[/itex] - [itex]\frac{1}{a}[/itex] exp([itex]- a ∫^{t}_{0} P(t) dt[/itex])

But don't know how to get there.

Thanks in advance.
Hi nitin7785. Welcome to Physics Forums!

I have a slightly different way of doing it;
[itex]∫^{t}_{0} P(τ) exp( - a ∫^{t}_{τ} P(u) du)dτ=\int^{t}_{0} {P(τ) exp (-a\int^{t}_{0} {P(u) du}+a\int^{τ}_{0} {P(u) du})}dτ=exp (-a\int^{t}_{0} {P(u) du})\int^{t}_{0} {P(τ) exp (a\int^{τ}_{0} {P(u) du})}dτ[/itex]

This becomes:
[itex]\int^{t}_{0} {P(τ) exp (-a\int^{t}_{0} {P(u) du}+a\int^{τ}_{0} {P(u) du})}dτ=exp (-a\int^{t}_{0} {P(u) du})\int^{t}_{0} {P(τ) exp (a\int^{τ}_{0} {P(u) du})}dτ[/itex]

This becomes:

[itex]exp (-a\int^{t}_{0} {P(u) du})\int^{t}_{0} {P(τ) exp (a\int^{τ}_{0} {P(u) du})}dτ=e^{-aI(t)}\int^{I(t)}_{0}{e^{aI'}dI'}[/itex]

where [itex]I(t)=\int^{t}_{0} {P(u) du}[/itex]

Chet
 
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Thank you Chestermiller for providing alternative way of solving my problem.
 

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