Integrating Double Integrals: A Calculus 1 Challenge

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves evaluating a double integral of the function sin(y/x) over a specific region defined by the boundaries x=0, y=π, and x=y². The original poster indicates they have only studied Calculus 1 and are seeking assistance for a friend's problem, expressing difficulty in integrating the resulting expressions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various attempts at evaluating the integral, including changing the order of integration and using substitutions. There is mention of the Cosine integral function and its relevance to the problem. Some participants express uncertainty about how to apply certain mathematical concepts and transformations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing suggestions and exploring different methods for approaching the integral. There is acknowledgment of the complexity involved in the integration process, and some guidance has been offered regarding the use of integration by parts and the handling of limits. However, no consensus has been reached on a definitive method or solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the challenge of integrating with infinite limits and the potential need for numerical approximations. There is also a discussion about the limitations of calculators in evaluating special functions like the Cosine integral.

Mentallic
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Homework Statement


find [tex]\int\int_D sin\left(\frac{y}{x}\right)dA[/tex] bounded by [tex]x=0, y=\pi, x=y^2[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



I've only studied calculus 1, this problem is for my friend. I did read up briefly on double integrals however and this is why I'm stuck:

From the limits and where the graphs intersect, we have:

[tex]\int_0^{\pi^2}\int_{\sqrt{x}}^{\pi}sin\left(\frac{y}{x}\right)dydx[/tex]

then integrating and evaluating the inside part:

[tex]\int_0^{\pi^2}\left(-xcos\left(\frac{\pi}{x}\right)+xcos\left(\frac{1}{\sqrt{x}}\right)\right)dx[/tex]

But finding the integral of that seems impossible. I also tried reversing the order of integration, but come up with the same problem.
 
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Mentallic said:
then integrating and evaluating the inside part:

[tex]\int_0^{\pi^2}\left(-xcos\left(\frac{\pi}{x}\right)+xcos\left(\frac{1}{\sqrt{x}}\right)\right)dx[/tex]

But finding the integral of that seems impossible. I also tried reversing the order of integration, but come up with the same problem.

I think you'll have to make use of the special function

[tex]\text{Ci}(z)\equiv-\int_z^\infty\frac{\cos(t)}{t}dt[/tex]

called the Cosine integral


Just split the integral into two and make the substitution [itex]u=\frac{\pi}{x}[/itex] for the first, and [itex]u=\frac{1}{\sqrt{x}}[/itex] for the second.
 
gabbagabbahey said:
I think you'll have to make use of the special function

[tex]\text{Ci}(z)\equiv-\int_z^\infty\frac{\cos(t)}{t}dt[/tex]

called the Cosine integral


Just split the integral into two and make the substitution [itex]u=\frac{\pi}{x}[/itex] for the first, and [itex]u=\frac{1}{\sqrt{x}}[/itex] for the second.

Ok, let me try this...

[tex]u=\frac{\pi}{x}, x=\frac{\pi}{u}, dx=\frac{-\pi}{u^2}du[/tex]

[tex]v=\frac{1}{\sqrt{x}}, x=\frac{1}{v^2}, dx=\frac{-2}{v^3}dv[/tex]

So substituting all this in:

[tex]\pi^2\int_0^{\pi^2}\frac{cosu}{u^3}du+2\int_{\pi^2}^{0}\frac{cosv}{v^5}dv[/tex]

But I'm unsure how to apply the fact that [tex]Ci(z)=\int\frac{cosz}{z}dz[/tex] to this expression.
 
Mentallic said:
So substituting all this in:

[tex]\pi^2\int_0^{\pi^2}\frac{cosu}{u^3}du+2\int_{\pi^2}^{0}\frac{cosv}{v^5}dv[/tex]

But I'm unsure how to apply the fact that [tex]Ci(z)=\int\frac{cosz}{z}dz[/tex] to this expression.

First, you need to change your limits of integration, since ytou are no longer integrating over [itex]x[/itex]. Second, there's no need too use two different variables since [itex]\int_a^b f(v)dv=\int_a^b f(u)du[/itex] (i.e. for definite integral, the integration variable is essentially a dummy variable)

You should end up with

[tex]\int\int_D \sin\left(\frac{y}{x}\right)dA=-\pi^2\int_{\frac{1}{\pi}}^\infty\frac{\cos u}{u^3}du+2\int_{\frac{1}{\pi}}^\infty\frac{\cos u}{u^5}du[/tex]

Use integration by parts twice on each.
 
Oh yes of course, thanks that's really helpful :smile:

Obviously integrating by parts will give a big long expression and looking at it now, I'm not even going to think about posting it here. Taking [itex]\infty[/itex] as one of the limits of the integration cancels out a lot.

But one more thing, can [tex]cos\left(\frac{1}{\pi}\right)[/tex] be expressed more simply? And how do I evaluate the [tex]Ci\left(\frac{1}{\pi}\right)[/tex]?
 
Mentallic said:
But one more thing, can [tex]cos\left(\frac{1}{\pi}\right)[/tex] be expressed more simply?

No.

And how do I evaluate the [tex]Ci\left(\frac{1}{\pi}\right)[/tex]?

Same way you evaluate [itex]e[/itex] (the base of the natural logarithm) or [itex]\pi[/itex]; approximate it numerically to arbitrary precision using a power series. In other words, just leave it as is. It can't be simplified in terms of elementary functions.
 
Yes of course, but it's just that I don't know what the power series for Ci(z) is and I'm afraid my calculator doesn't have a button for it either :biggrin:

And sometimes including numerical approximations are a nice addition to the big long expression.
 
Just use a better calculator:smile:

I'm sure Wolfram alpha (Google it) will have no problem giving you a numerical approximation. Alternatively, I'd venture a guess that you could look up the power series online and find it quickly.
 

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