Integral of a product of three functions?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the definite integral of a product of three functions: \( \int_{-\pi }^{\pi } e^{-x^{2}} \sqrt{x^{4}+1} \sin x \, dx \). Participants are exploring techniques and properties related to this integral, particularly focusing on whether the function is even or odd.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the nature of the function, questioning if it is odd, and how that might affect the evaluation of the integral. There is mention of checking properties of the function based on its symmetry.

Discussion Status

Some participants have suggested that if the function is odd, the integral could evaluate to zero. There is an ongoing exploration of the implications of the function's properties, with some guidance provided on the characteristics of odd and even functions.

Contextual Notes

There is a note that this thread may not belong to the Introductory Physics board, indicating potential confusion about the appropriate forum for this calculus-related question.

Diode
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Hello there,

I've been battling through my books and searching the web, but nothing seems to give me any ideas on how to tackle this beast bellow:

[tex]\int_{-\pi }^{\pi } e^{-x^{2}} \sqrt{x^{4}+1} sin x dx[/tex]

This is a reasonably desperate call for any information or literature anyone might know of. If you know of anywhere with material on this or even which techniques I should be looking into it'd be much appreciated!

Thanks,
D =]
 
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Diode said:
Hello there,

I've been battling through my books and searching the web, but nothing seems to give me any ideas on how to tackle this beast bellow:

[tex]\int_{-\pi }^{\pi } e^{-x^{2}} \sqrt{x^{4}+1} sin x dx[/tex]

This is a reasonably desperate call for any information or literature anyone might know of. If you know of anywhere with material on this or even which techniques I should be looking into it'd be much appreciated!

Thanks,
D =]

Homework Statement


Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


Big hint of the day, when encountering these type of definite integrals with the limit from -a to a, one should immediately check to see if the given function is even, or odd. :devil:

Can you go from here? :)

---------------

EDIT: Oh, and btw, this thread shouldn't belong to Introductory Physics board.. =.="
 
Uh.. is it odd? *crosses fingers* so it's zero?

You might have guessed I'm new here, where should this question go?
 
Diode said:
Uh.. is it odd? *crosses fingers* so it's zero?

You might have guessed I'm new here, where should this question go?

for an odd function f(-x)=-f(x) and an even function f(-x)=f(x)

Calculus & Beyond forum
 
Diode said:
Uh.. is it odd? *crosses fingers* so it's zero?

You might have guessed I'm new here, where should this question go?

Yes, it is. It's 0.

Let f(x) be a continuous function on the interval (-a, a).

If f(x) is odd then:

[tex]\int_{-a} ^ a f(x) = 0[/tex]

And if f(x) is even then:

[tex]\int_{-a} ^ a f(x) = 2 \int_0 ^ a f(x)[/tex]

You can use a simple u-substitution to prove both of them. Pretty easy, just give it a try if you want. :)
 
Thank you both very much! You have saved me a lot of misguided scribbling =]
 
By the way, there's no indefinite integral for that function:

http://integrals.wolfram.com/index.jsp?expr=%28e^-x^2%29*sqrt%28x^4%2B1%29*sin%28x%29&random=false
 

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