Integral Challenge II: Calculate Int. 2 to 7

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the definite integral \(\int_{2}^{7} \frac{x}{1-\sqrt{2+x}}\,dx\) without using an integral calculator. Participants explore the implications of singularities in the function and the convergence of the integral.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that the function has a singularity at \(x=-1\), where the denominator becomes zero, indicating that the integral is improper.
  • One participant suggests that the integral will only converge if both integrals \(\int_{-2}^{-1} \frac{x}{1-\sqrt{2+x}}\,dx\) and \(\int_{-1}^{2} \frac{x}{1-\sqrt{2+x}}\,dx\) exist.
  • Another participant performs a substitution \(y = \sqrt{2+x}\) to analyze the integral \(\int_{-1}^{2} \frac{x}{1-\sqrt{2+x}}\,dx\) and concludes that it diverges due to the behavior of \(-\frac{2}{1-y}\) as \(y\) approaches 1.
  • Several participants express gratitude for clarifications regarding the singularity and the choice of new limits for the integral.
  • With the new limits, one participant calculates the integral and provides a result of \(-\frac{47}{3} + 2\ln2\), thanking others for their contributions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the presence of a singularity at \(x=-1\) and the implications for convergence. However, there is no consensus on the final evaluation of the integral, as multiple approaches and interpretations are presented.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the dependence on the choice of limits and the implications of singularities on the convergence of integrals. There are unresolved mathematical steps regarding the evaluation of the integral with the new limits.

lfdahl
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Calculate the definite integral\[ \int_{2}^{7} \frac{x}{1-\sqrt{2+x}}\,dx \]- without the use of an integral calculator
 
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The function has a singularity at x=-1.
 
lfdahl said:
Calculate the definite integral\[ \int_{-2}^{2} \frac{x}{1-\sqrt{2+x}}\,dx \]- without the use of an integral calculator
[sp]The function has a singularity at $x=-1$, where the denominator $1-\sqrt{2+x}$ is zero. So the integral is improper, and it will only converge if each of the two integrals $$\int_{-2}^{-1} \frac{x}{1-\sqrt{2+x}}\,dx$$ and $$\int_{-1}^{2} \frac{x}{1-\sqrt{2+x}}\,dx$$ exists.

Taking the second of these integrals, $$\int_{-1}^{2} \frac{x}{1-\sqrt{2+x}}\,dx$$, make the substitution $y = \sqrt{2+x}.$ Then $2+x = y^2$, $dx = 2y\,dy$ and the integral becomes $$\int_1^2 \frac{2y(y^2-2)}{1-y}dy.$$ Since $2y(y^2-2) = (y-1)(2y^2 + 2y - 2) -2,$ the integral is equal to $$\int_1^2\bigl(-2y^2 -2y + 2 - \frac2{1-y}\bigr)dy.$$ The integral of $-2y^2 - 2y + 2$ is elementary. But the integral of $- \frac2{1-y}$ is $2\ln|1-y|$, which diverges as $y \searrow1.$

So the integral does not converge. (More informally, the integral does not exist.)[/sp]
 
ZaidAlyafey said:
The function has a singularity at x=-1.

Thankyou, zaidalyafey, for pointing this out. I have chosen new limits for the problem.
 
Opalg said:
[sp]The function has a singularity at $x=-1$, where the denominator $1-\sqrt{2+x}$ is zero. So the integral is improper, and it will only converge if each of the two integrals $$\int_{-2}^{-1} \frac{x}{1-\sqrt{2+x}}\,dx$$ and $$\int_{-1}^{2} \frac{x}{1-\sqrt{2+x}}\,dx$$ exists.

Taking the second of these integrals, $$\int_{-1}^{2} \frac{x}{1-\sqrt{2+x}}\,dx$$, make the substitution $y = \sqrt{2+x}.$ Then $2+x = y^2$, $dx = 2y\,dy$ and the integral becomes $$\int_1^2 \frac{2y(y^2-2)}{1-y}dy.$$ Since $2y(y^2-2) = (y-1)(2y^2 + 2y - 2) -2,$ the integral is equal to $$\int_1^2\bigl(-2y^2 -2y + 2 - \frac2{1-y}\bigr)dy.$$ The integral of $-2y^2 - 2y + 2$ is elementary. But the integral of $- \frac2{1-y}$ is $2\ln|1-y|$, which diverges as $y \searrow1.$

So the integral does not converge. (More informally, the integral does not exist.)[/sp]

Thankyou, Opalg, for your clearcut contribution. I am very sorry, that I was not aware of this.
Please cf. also my comment at zaidalyafey. Hopefully, the new limits are OK.
 
[sp]With the new limits, $y=2$ when $x=2$ and $y=3$ when $x=9$ (see my comment #3 above), and the integral becomes $$\int_2^3\bigl(-2y^2 -2y + 2 + \frac2{y-1}\bigr)dy = \bigl[-\tfrac23y^3 - y^2 + 2y + 2\ln(y-1)\bigr]_2^3 = -\tfrac{47}3 + 2\ln2.$$[/sp]
 
Opalg said:
[sp]With the new limits, $y=2$ when $x=2$ and $y=3$ when $x=9$ (see my comment #3 above), and the integral becomes $$\int_2^3\bigl(-2y^2 -2y + 2 + \frac2{y-1}\bigr)dy = \bigl[-\tfrac23y^3 - y^2 + 2y + 2\ln(y-1)\bigr]_2^3 = -\tfrac{47}3 + 2\ln2.$$[/sp]

Thankyou very much, Opalg, for your correct answer!
I also want to thank Zaidalyafey and Opalg for detecting the troublesome singularity :cool:
 

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