Improper integral comparison test

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the convergence or divergence of the improper integral \(\int_{0}^{\infty } \frac{\left | \sin x \right |}{x^2} dx\). Participants explored comparisons with \(\frac{1}{x^2}\), \(\frac{\sin x}{x}\), and \(\sin x\) to analyze the behavior of the integral. It was concluded that while \(\frac{1}{x^2}\) diverges, this does not provide a definitive answer for the original integral. The integral can be split into two parts: \(\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \frac{\left | \sin x \right |}{x^2} dx\) and \(\int_{\frac{\pi}{2}}^{\infty} \frac{\left | \sin x \right |}{x^2} dx\), allowing for a more detailed analysis.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of improper integrals
  • Familiarity with the properties of the sine function
  • Knowledge of comparison tests for convergence
  • Basic calculus, specifically integration techniques
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the comparison test for improper integrals
  • Learn about the behavior of \(\sin x\) in the interval \([0, \frac{\pi}{2}]\)
  • Investigate the convergence of \(\int_{0}^{\infty} \frac{\sin x}{x^2} dx\)
  • Explore techniques for splitting integrals for convergence analysis
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, calculus students, and anyone studying improper integrals and convergence tests will benefit from this discussion.

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Member warned about not using the homework template
The question asks whether the following converges or diverges.

\int_{0}^{\infty } \frac{\left | sinx \right |}{x^2} dx

Now I think there might be a trick with the domain of sine function but I couldn't make up my mind on this.
I tried to compare it with 1/x^2, (sinx)/x, and sinx. I actually expected that I would get something good with 1/x^2, but as the lower limit of the integral is zero, it ended up with infinity on (0, inf) and since 1/x^2 is greater than (sinx)/x^2, and is divergent as we just found, we cannot say whether the given function diverges or converges. So I'm wondering what is the right track on this question?
 
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\int_{0}^{\infty } \frac{\left | sinx \right |}{x^2} dx =

\int_{0}^{ \frac{\pi}{2} } \frac{\left | sinx \right |}{x^2} dx + \int_{ \frac{\pi}{2} }^{\infty} \frac{\left | sinx \right |}{x^2} dx

Deal with the two integrals separately.

In the interval [0,\frac{\pi}{2}] you can establish an inequality between |\sin(x)| and a non-periodic function. Try comparing it to f(x) = x.
 

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