Integral of Sin(x^2) Homework - Evaluate & Solve

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves evaluating the double integral $$\int_{y=0}^{y=1} \int_{x=y}^{x=1} \sin(x^2) \, dx \, dy$$, which falls under the subject area of calculus, specifically focusing on integration techniques and properties of functions without elementary anti-derivatives.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to analyze the integral using the Maclaurin series for sine, leading to a complex series representation. Some participants suggest reconsidering the order of integration to simplify the problem. Others express confusion about how changing the order of integration would help, particularly regarding the non-elementary nature of the integral of sin(x^2).

Discussion Status

The discussion has seen various approaches, including a successful adjustment of integration limits by one participant, which led to a more straightforward evaluation of the integral. However, there remains a lack of explicit consensus on the best method to approach the problem, with ongoing questions about the mechanics of switching the order of integration.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity introduced by the non-elementary integral of sin(x^2) and the potential for confusion regarding the limits of integration when changing the order. There is also mention of the original poster's concern about the elegance of their solution method.

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Homework Statement


[/B]
Evaluate the integral $$\int_{y=0}^{y=1} \int_{x=y}^{x=1} sin(x^2) \, dx \, dy$$

Homework Equations


N/A

The Attempt at a Solution


We know right away that ##sin(x^2)## has no elementary anti-derivative. Therefore, I analyzed the Maclaurin series of ##sin(x)##.

$$sin(x)\ =\ x\ -\ \frac{x^3}{3!}\ +\ \frac{x^5}{5!}\ -\ \frac{x^7}{7!}\ +\ \dots$$
$$sin(x)\ =\ \sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{(-1)^n(x)^{2n+1}}{(2n+1)!}$$
Therefore,
$$sin(x^2)\ =\ \sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{(-1)^n(x)^{4n+2}}{(2n+1)!}$$
I then substituted this sum into the original integral.
$$\int_{y=0}^{y=1} \int_{x=y}^{x=1} \sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{(-1)^n(x)^{4n+2}}{(2n+1)!} \, dx \, dy$$

As ##\sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{(-1)^n}{(2n+1)!}## is a constant, we can bring it outside of the integral. Then the integral becomes
$$\sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{(-1)^n}{(2n+1)!} \int_{y=0}^{y=1} \int_{x=y}^{x=1} x^{4n+2} \, dx \, dy$$
I then integrated with respect to x, and got
$$\sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{(-1)^n}{(2n+1)!} \int_{y=0}^{y=1} \big( \left. \frac{x^{4n+3}}{4n+3} \right|_y^1 \big) \, dy$$
$$\sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{(-1)^n}{(2n+1)!} \int_{y=0}^{y=1} \big( \frac{1^{4n+3}}{4n+3}\ -\ \frac{y^{4n+3}}{4n+3} \big) \, dy$$
$$\sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{(-1)^n}{(2n+1)!} \frac{1}{4n+3} \int_{y=0}^{y=1} \big(1^{4n+3}\ -\ y^{4n+3} \big) \, dy$$
I then integrated with respect to y.
$$\sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{(-1)^n}{(2n+1)!} \frac{1}{4n+3} \big( (1^{4n+3})\ -\ \frac{1^{4n+4}}{4n+4} \big)$$
$$\sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{(-1)^n}{(2n+1)!} \frac{1^{4n+3}}{4n+3} \ -\ \sum_{n=0}^\infty \frac{(-1)^n}{(2n+1)!} \frac{1}{4n+3} \frac{1^{4n+4}}{4n+4}$$

Now here is where I hit a snag. I can brute force calculate using Wolfram|Alpha to show that the first series converges to ##\approx \ 0.310268,## and the second series converges to ##\approx \ 0.08042##. Therefore, the integral converges to ##0.310268\ -\ 0.08042\ \approx\ 0.2299848##

This seems remarkably inelegant though, and I'm sure the prof isn't ok with the brute forcing. I'm just not sure how to progress beyond this point. Any help is appreciated greatly!
 
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You're over complicating things. Try to flip the order of the integrals.
 
I'm confused as to how that will help, as ##\int_{y=0}^{y=1}\ sin(x^2) \, dy\ =\ sin(x^2)##, which still doesn't resolve the fact that ##sin(x^2)## has no elementary integral, and will also leave a y in there if I try using the Maclaurin series, which is just even more ugly. I'm clearly missing something, I just don't know what.
 
Dewgale said:
I'm confused as to how that will help, as ##\int_{y=0}^{y=1}\ sin(x^2) \, dy\ =\ sin(x^2)##, which still doesn't resolve the fact that ##sin(x^2)## has no elementary integral, and will also leave a y in there if I try using the Maclaurin series, which is just even more ugly. I'm clearly missing something, I just don't know what.
Draw the integration domain. You have to integrate over the blue area. What are the limits if you integrate with respect to y first, and then with respect to x?
intdomain.JPG
 
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Ok, thank you so much! I rewrote the limits and managed to solve the integral as ##-\frac{1}{2}\ (cos(1)\ -\ 1)## which when approximated comes out to the same result as my (much, much bulkier) sums method, which was approximately 0.2298.

Thank you for your help!
 
You are welcome. :)
 
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Could you please explain a little more how you switch the order of integration? Thanks!
 
You have to integrate over the blue triangle, enclosed by the lines y=0, y=x, and x=1. You can integrate by x from x=y to x=1 first:
and then by y from 0 to 1 ##
\int_{y=0}^{y=1}\left( \int_{x=y}^{x=1} sin(x^2) \, dx \right )\, dy##
or you integrate by y from 0 to y=x, and then by x from 0 to 1:
##\int_{x=0}^{1=1}\left( \int_{y=0}^{y=x} sin(x^2) \, dy \right )\, dx##
The advantage of the second method is that you integrate a constant with respect to y first, so you get x sin2(x) which can be easily integrate with respect to x.

upload_2016-5-16_9-36-4.png
 

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