How to solve this integral? (something to do with a beta distribution?)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a specific integral related to a beta distribution, expressed in Maple notation. The integral involves parameters that influence its form and potential solutions, with participants exploring the mathematical properties and computations involved.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents an integral and suspects a connection to the beta distribution.
  • Another participant simplifies the integrand and demonstrates that the integral can be expressed in terms of a beta function.
  • A participant shares specific values for the parameters and computes the integral, noting discrepancies between two different expressions of the integral.
  • There is a correction regarding the formulation of the integral, with a participant clarifying the correct expression for the beta function representation.
  • A later reply acknowledges a mistake in the previous calculations and thanks the participant for their assistance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the connection of the integral to the beta function, but discrepancies arise in the numerical results obtained from different expressions of the integral. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact values computed from the different formulations.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations concerning the assumptions made about the parameters and the dependence on the definitions of the integral expressions. The discussion does not resolve the differences in computed values.

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TL;DR
Solving the integral (in Maple notation): Int(exp(c[0]*ln(y)/a[0]+c[1]*M*ln(M-y)/a[1]), y = 0 .. M);
I have the following integral (in Maple notation):

Int(exp(c[0]*ln(y)/a[0]+c[1]*M*ln(M-y)/a[1]), y = 0 .. M);

with (in Maple notation):

0<a[0], 0<a[1], 0<c[0], 0<c[1], 0<y, y<M, 0<M.

What is the solution of this integral? I suspect that the solution has something to do with a beta distribution.
 
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Simplifying the integrand and substituting y = Mt yields <br /> \int_0^M \exp\left(<br /> c_0 \frac{\ln(y)}{a_0} + c_1 M \frac{\ln(M - y)}{a_1}<br /> \right)\,dy
$$= \int_0^M y^{c_0/a_0}(M - y)^{Mc_1/a_1}\,dy =
M^{(c_0/a_0) + (Mc_1/a_1) + 1} \int_0^1 t^{c_0/a_0} (1 - t)^{c_1/a_1}\,dt
$$ which is indeed a beta function.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thank you very much. You were of great help.
 
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If I enter the values ##a_{1}\, = \, 0.7##, ##a_{0}\, = \, 0.4##, ##c_{1}\, = \, 0.9##, ##c_{0}\, = \, 0.5## and ##M\, = \,7## in
$$\int_{0}^{M}\!{y}^{{\frac {c_{0}}{a_{0}}}} \left( M-y \right) ^{{\frac {Mc_{1}}{a_{1}}}}\,{\rm d}y$$
I get ## 17939559.61##. If I enter the same values in
$${M}^{{\frac {c_{0}}{a_{0}}}+{\frac {Mc_{1}}{a_{1}}}+1}\int_{0}^{1}\! \left( 1-x \right) ^{{\frac {c_{1}}{a_{1}}}}{x}^{{\frac {c_{0}}{a_{0}}}}\,{\rm d}x$$
I get ##344821202.1##.
 
That should be <br /> \int_0^M y^{c_0/a_0}(M - y)^{Mc_1/a_1}\,dy =<br /> M^{(c_0/a_0) + (Mc_1/a_1) + 1} \int_0^1 t^{c_0/a_0} (1 - t)^{Mc_1/a_1}\,dt
 
Again thank you very much. Sorry for my mistake.
 

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