Integral Inequality: Prove x-1 > Int(sin(t)/t) for x>1

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves proving the inequality \(1 - x + \int_1^x \frac{\sin t}{t} \, dt < 0\) for \(x > 1\). The discussion centers around the behavior of the integral and its relationship to the linear term \(x - 1\).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss rewriting the integral and consider finding the derivative of a related function to analyze its behavior. Questions arise about the implications of the derivative being less than zero and the significance of the fraction \(\frac{\sin x}{x}\) being less than one.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring various approaches, including the use of derivatives and graphical analysis. Some guidance has been offered regarding the implications of the derivative's sign for \(x > 1\), but no consensus has been reached on the overall approach.

Contextual Notes

There is an emphasis on understanding the behavior of the function and its derivative, with some participants questioning the assumptions about the integral and its limits.

Rectifier
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The problem
Show that ## 1-x+ \int^x_1 \frac{\sin t}{t} \ dt < 0## for ## x > 1 ##

The attempt
I rewrite the integral as
##\int^x_1 \frac{\sin t}{t} \ dt < x-1 ##

This is about where I get. Can someone give any suggestions on how to continue from here?
 
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Rectifier said:
The problem
Show that ## 1-x+ \int^x_1 \frac{\sin t}{t} \ dt < 0## for ## x > 1 ##

The attempt
I rewrite the integral as
##\int^x_1 \frac{\sin t}{t} \ dt < x-1 ##

This is about where I get. Can someone give any suggestions on how to continue from here?

Let ##f(x) = 1 - x + \int^x_1 \frac{\sin t}{t} \ dt##
 
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Should I find the derivative to the function and plot it to see if the graph to the function is below the x-axis?
 
Rectifier said:
Should I find the derivative to the function and plot it to see if the graph to the function is below the x-axis?

What's stopping you?
 
Well, I tried but I stumbled upon this:
##1=\frac{\sin x}{x}## when I derived it and wanted to see where the derivative was 0. I don't think that I can solve that. ;(
 
Rectifier said:
Well, I tried but I stumbled upon this:
##1=\frac{\sin x}{x}## when I derived it and wanted to see where the derivative was 0. I don't think that I can solve that. ;(

What's ##f'(x)##?
 
It's ##f'(x) = D \left(1-x+ \int^x_1 \frac{\sin t}{t} \ dt \right) = -1+ \frac{\sin x}{x} ##
 
And when ##x > 1##?
 
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Not the same?
 
  • #10
Rectifier said:
Not the same?

When ##x > 1## then ##f'(x) < 0##. You should be able to see that sort of thing.
 
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  • #11
How can I see that? Anything that I should look for? Does it have to do with the fact that the fraction ## \frac{\sin x}{x} ##is always smaller than 1 since ##\lim_{x \rightarrow \infty} \frac{\sin x}{x} = 0##?

EDIT: see edit
 
  • #12
Rectifier said:
How can I see that? Anything that I should look for? Does it have to do with the fact that the fraction is always smaller than 1?

EDIT: see edit

Yes, ##f(1) = 0##, so if ##f'(x) < 0## for ##x > 1## you are done.
 
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  • #13
ok, thanks!
 

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