Integral of Rational Exponential

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the evaluation of the integral $$\int_{0}^{1} \frac{e^{x}}{1 + e^{2x}} \,dx$$. Participants explore various techniques for solving this integral, including substitution methods and connections to known forms of integrals.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty with the integral and mentions their limited techniques, including u substitution and a table of integral rules.
  • Another participant suggests recognizing the form of a function's derivative, specifically $$\frac{u'}{1+u^2}$$.
  • A different participant connects the integral to the anti-derivative of arctan, noting the challenge of substituting $$e^{2x}$$ for $$e^{x}$$.
  • One participant proposes a substitution of $$u = e^x$$, transforming the integral into $$\int_1^e \frac{1}{1+u^2}\,du$$.
  • Another participant elaborates on the relationship between the derivative of arctan and the integral form, providing a detailed breakdown of the derivative process.
  • A later reply indicates a realization about visualizing the exponents and clarifies the substitution process, emphasizing the need to rewrite $$e^{2x}$$ as $$(e^{x})^{2}$$.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to solve the integral, with multiple techniques and interpretations being discussed. The discussion remains exploratory and unresolved regarding the final evaluation of the integral.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the substitution methods and the relationship between the terms in the integral. There are unresolved steps in the substitution process and varying levels of familiarity with the forms of integrals discussed.

Jarhead1
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Hi,

I'm new to this forum. This semester I took Calculus I and just took the final yesterday. There were a few questions that were unexpected that I didn't know how to handle. This integral has got me stumped.$$\int_{0}^{1} e^{x}/(1 + e^{2x}) \,dx$$

The techniques I know at this point include u substitution and the table of integral rules which I'm sure is limited at this point. $$\int e^{x}dx$$ is $$e^{x}+C$$ but that doesn't help with $$1/ (1 + e^{2x})$$. I tried u sub of $$u = 1 + e^{2x}$$ but $$du/2e^{2x} = dx $$ doesn't help. I end up with this integral with a u sub and $$e^{-x}$$ .

$$1/2 \int_{0}^{1} 1/u \cdot e^{-x} \,du$$ Note: $$e^{x}/e^{2x} = e^{-x}$$

Maybe there is a technique we haven't learned yet or I missed something.

Thanks in advance
 
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Re: Intergral of Rational Exponential

... does this form of a function's derivative look familiar?

$\dfrac{u'}{1+u^2}$
 
Re: Intergral of Rational Exponential

No I have not seen that exact form. It looks similar to the anti-derivative of arctan:

$$\int \frac{1}{1 + {x}^{2}} dx = arctan$$

Not sure where the $${u}^{'} $$ comes from unless you are referring to the du from the u substitution in prime notation.

In du notation: $$\int \frac{1}{1 + {u}^{2}} du$$

The problem is getting the $$e^{2x} $$ to replace the $$e^{x}$$ in this case... ? Derivative of $$e^{2x}$$ is $$2e^{2x}$$ which doesn't replace the $$e^{x}$$ unless I am doing it wrong.
 
What skeeter is suggesting is to let:

$$u=e^x\implies du=e^x\,dx$$

And the integral becomes:

$$\int_1^e \frac{1}{1+u^2}\,du$$
 
If you haven't seen it before...

$$\begin{align*}y&=\arctan(x) \\
\tan(y)&=x \\
y'\sec^2(y)&=1 \\
y'&=\frac{1}{\sec^2(y)}=\frac{1}{1+\tan^2(y)}=\frac{1}{1+x^2}\end{align*}$$
 
Ah ok. Was having trouble visualizing the exponents.

So rewrite $$e^{2x}$$ as $$(e^{x})^{2}$$ then replace the $$e^{x}$$ with u.

I was stuck on having to replace the $$e^{x}$$ with a $$e^{2x}$$ whole.

Thanks!
 

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