# How would i evaluate an integral such as this

1. Jun 20, 2009

### Storm Butler

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
∫ (a^(n+1)-1)/(a-1) da

2. Relevant equations
i took this equation from the series of sigma with the bound of N k=0 and the argument as a^K (I'm sorry if this is confusing i don't know how to type it out and I'm not sure what all the correct terminology is).

3. The attempt at a solution
i really just don't know where to start with this one, i don't know what would be appropriate to use, by parts or substitution, and if it is by substitution what do i substitute?

2. Jun 20, 2009

### azure kitsune

Are you saying that the original problem was

$$\int \left( \sum_{k=0}^{n} {a^k} \right) da$$

?

In that case, you can use the fact that ∫ [f(x) + g(x)] dx = ∫ f(x) dx + ∫ g(x) dx and apply this over and over again to your summation.

The summation implies that n is a nonnegative integer, but if that is not the case, I don't think this function has an elementary integral.

3. Jun 20, 2009

### Storm Butler

what is a non-elementary integral?
and basically i was just trying to see what would happen if the summation was switched with an integral, because that sum is (when n approaches infinite) is 2. But that's only when the numbers increase at an integer amount, i wanted to see what it would be if it increased at every amount so i thought substituting the integral in would work. (is my logic flawed)

EDIT:forgot to put in the fact that it only approaches two when a=1/2

Last edited: Jun 20, 2009
4. Jun 20, 2009

### HallsofIvy

$a^{n+1}- 1= a^{n+1}- 1^{n+1}= (a-1)(a^n+ a^{n-1}+\cdot\cdot\cdot+ 1)$. Does that help?

5. Jun 21, 2009

### Дьявол

$$S=a_1+qa_1+q^2a_1+q^3a_1+...+q^na_1$$

$$Sq=qa_1+q^2a_1+q^3a_1+q^4a_1+...+q^{n+1}a_1$$

$$Sq-S=q^{n+1}a_1-a_1$$

$$S(q-1)=a_1(q^{n+1}-1)$$

$$S=\frac{a_1(q^{n+1}-1)}{q-1}$$

Is it enough?

Regards.

6. Jun 21, 2009

### azure kitsune

A non-elementary integral is one that cannot be expressed in elementary functions.

An elementary function is one that can be written in terms of "simple" functions. A more thorough definition can be found at http://mathworld.wolfram.com/ElementaryFunction.html

So you started with

$$\lim_{n \to \infty} \sum_{k=0}^{n} {\left( \frac{1}{2} \right)^k} = 2$$

right? I'm sorry, but I don't understand what you did afterwards.

7. Jun 23, 2009

### Storm Butler

after that i replaced the sigma notation with an integral