Integrating e^-2x.tanh(x) - Solving for the Antiderivative

  • Thread starter Thread starter DryRun
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Integrate
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the antiderivative of the function e^{-2x}tanh(x), which is situated within the context of integration techniques in calculus.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various methods for integrating the function, including the use of partial fractions and integration by parts. Some express uncertainty about how to proceed after initial attempts, while others explore different substitutions and manipulations of the integrand.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of different approaches to the integration problem, with some participants confirming the correctness of results while others question the need for an arbitrary constant of integration. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being considered.

Contextual Notes

Participants note discrepancies between their results and those found in external sources, raising questions about the validity of their approaches and the necessity of including constants in their final answers.

DryRun
Gold Member
Messages
837
Reaction score
4
Homework Statement

Find [tex]\int e^{-2x}\tanh x\,dx[/tex]

The attempt at a solution

[tex]\int e^{-2x}\tanh x\,dx<br /> \\=\int e^{-2x}\times \frac{e^x-e^{-x}}{e^x+e^{-x}}\,dx<br /> \\=\int \frac{e^{-x}-e^{-3x}}{e^x+e^{-x}}\,dx[/tex]

Then i have no idea how to proceed.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hint: can you do anything with partial fractions?
 
I've already tried to split it:
[tex]\int \frac{e^{-x}}{e^x+e^{-x}}-\int \frac{e^{-3x}}{e^x+e^{-x}}[/tex]But got stuck again.

The answer is: [tex]\frac{e^{-2x}}{2}-\ln (1+e^{2x})[/tex]

I'm thinking maybe integration by parts?
 
sharks said:
I've already tried to split it:
[tex]\int \frac{e^{-x}}{e^x+e^{-x}}-\int \frac{e^{-3x}}{e^x+e^{-x}}[/tex]But got stuck again.

The answer is: [tex]\frac{e^{-2x}}{2}-\ln (1+e^{2x})[/tex]

I'm thinking maybe integration by parts?
[itex]\displaystyle \frac{e^{-x}}{e^x+e^{-x}}=\frac{e^{-2x}}{1+e^{-2x}}[/itex]

[itex]\displaystyle \frac{e^{-3x}}{e^x+e^{-x}}=\frac{e^{-4x}}{1+e^{-2x}}\ .[/itex] Then let u = e-x or maybe let u = 1+e-2x .
 
[tex]\int \frac{e^{-2x}}{1+e^{-2x}}\,.dx-\int \frac{e^{-4x}}{1+e^{-2x}}\,.dx[/tex]
Let [itex]u =e^{-x}<br /> \\Then \, \frac{du}{dx}=-e^{-x}=-u[/itex]
[tex]=\int \frac{-u}{1+u^2}\,.du-\int \frac{-u^3}{1+u^2}\,.du[/tex]
[tex]=-\frac{1}{2}\ln (1+u^2) + \int u\,.du - \int \frac{u}{(1+u^2)}\,.du[/tex]
[tex]=-\frac{1}{2}\ln (1+u^2) + \frac{u^2}{2} - \frac{1}{2}\ln (1+u^2)[/tex]
[tex]=\frac{u^2}{2}-\ln (1+u^2)[/tex]
Substituting for u, we have the final answer:
[tex]=\frac{e^{-2x}}{2}-\ln (1+e^{-2x})[/tex]
But the answer in my copybook is:
[tex]=\frac{e^{-2x}}{2}-\ln (1+e^{2x})[/tex]
By the way, isn't there a need to add the arbitrary constant of integration?
 
Last edited:
Your result is correct, and add a constant.

ehild
 
Hi ehild!

Thank you for your confirmation. :smile:
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 105 ·
4
Replies
105
Views
11K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
2K