Integrating ln(sqrt(t)/t) using u-substitution

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves integrating the function ln(sqrt(t))/t with respect to t. Participants are exploring the use of u-substitution to simplify the integration process.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss different choices for u, including u = ln(sqrt(t)) and u = (1/2)ln(t). There are questions about correctly applying the chain rule to find du and concerns about differentiating versus integrating.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of the integration process, with participants providing hints and corrections regarding the differentiation of logarithmic functions. Some guidance has been offered on how to approach the integral using u-substitution, but no consensus has been reached on the final steps.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention constraints related to homework deadlines and the use of external tools like Wolfram Alpha for assistance. There is also a recognition of the need for clarity in notation when discussing logarithmic expressions.

judahs_lion
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Homework Statement


integrate lnsqrt(t)/t , dt


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



This is the most i can come up with.

u = lnsqrt(t), so du = 1/(2sqrt(t))dt , so dt = 2du/sqrt(t)

Im stuck @ this point
 
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Hint: The logarithm function has an interesting property.

ln\left(a^{b} \right) = bln\left(a \right)
 
du isn't 1/(2*sqrt(t))*dt. You are forgetting to use the chain rule. You can also get the correct differential by applying the rules of logs to ln(sqrt(t))=ln(t^(1/2)).
 
╔(σ_σ)╝ said:
Hint: The logarithm function has an interesting property.

ln\left(a^{b} \right) = bln\left(a \right)

so i would integrate (lnt^(1/2))/t ?
 
judahs_lion said:
so i would integrate (lnt^(1/2))/t ?

Sure. Isn't ln(sqrt(t))/t=ln(t^(1/2))/t?
 
Dick said:
Sure. Isn't ln(sqrt(t))/t=ln(t^(1/2))/t?

Ok, now I'm not sure what to take as u.
 
judahs_lion said:
so i would integrate (lnt^(1/2))/t ?
Yes.
But follow Dicks' suggestion also. It would be helpful to you. Your original method was correct ,however, as already pointed out you weren't differentiating correctly.

Dick said:
du isn't 1/(2*sqrt(t))*dt. You are forgetting to use the chain rule. You can also get the correct differential by applying the rules of logs to ln(sqrt(t))=ln(t^(1/2)).
 
judahs_lion said:
Ok, now I'm not sure what to take as u.

? Take u the same as you originally chose. u=ln(sqrt(t))=ln(t^(1/2)). They are the same thing. You just have to compute du correctly. That's where your first attempt went wrong. The du was wrong.
 
Yea i think i integrated rather then differentiated to get du. so u = 1/2lnt , du = 1/2(1/t)dt?
 
  • #10
actually du = 1/t
 
  • #11
that would make give me 1/2lnt (1/t), which is udu +C. so it breaks down to u^2/2 + C?
 
  • #12
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #13
judahs_lion said:
Yea i think i integrated rather then differentiated to get du. so u = 1/2lnt , du = 1/2(1/t)dt?

Sure. You could have also done it with ln(sqrt(t)). (ln(sqrt(t))'=(1/sqrt(t))*(dsqrt(t)/dt)=(1/sqrt(t))*(1/(2*sqrt(t)))=1/(2t). That's the chain rule. BTW if you aren't going to use TeX you should probably use a few more parentheses. 1/2lnt could mean (1/2)ln(t) or 1/(2ln(t)) etc.
 
  • #14
Dick said:
Sure. You could have also done it with ln(sqrt(t)). (ln(sqrt(t))'=(1/sqrt(t))*(dsqrt(t)/dt)=(1/sqrt(t))*(1/(2*sqrt(t)))=1/(2t). That's the chain rule. BTW if you aren't going to use TeX you should probably use a few more parentheses. 1/2lnt could mean (1/2)ln(t) or 1/(2ln(t)) etc.

Okay I'll think about that next time.
 
  • #15
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  • #16
judahs_lion said:
Is that implicit differentiation?

No all it is is just normal differentiation. See all you have to do if factor out the constant( 1/2 in this case). So it would look like (\frac{1}{2}) * (\frac{d}{dt})(ln(t)) = \frac{1}{2t}
 
  • #17
MysticDude said:
No all it is is just normal differentiation. See all you have to do if factor out the constant( 1/2 in this case). So it would look like (\frac{1}{2}) * (\frac{d}{dt})(ln(t)) = \frac{1}{2t}

but i thought the 1/2 would be eliminated because it is a constant
 
  • #18
judahs_lion said:
but i thought the 1/2 would be eliminated because it is a constant

If you can factor out a constant, then do so. Plus if you look at the link that I gave you. There should be a "Show Steps" link. It says to factor out the constant.

AND even if you do it by using the product rule (I'm doing this so you can see that the 1/2 stays)

(\frac{1}{2}[(\frac{d}{dt})(ln(t))] + (\frac{d}{dt})(\frac{1}{2})(ln(t))
We have \frac{1}{2}*\frac{1}{t} + 0(this-is-the-derivative-of \frac{1}{2}) * ln(t)
so this shows that the derivative of \frac{1}{2} * ln(t) = \frac{1}{2t}I hope you understand!
 
  • #19
MysticDude said:
If you can factor out a constant, then do so. Plus if you look at the link that I gave you. There should be a "Show Steps" link. It says to factor out the constant.

AND even if you do it by using the product rule (I'm doing this so you can see that the 1/2 stays)

(\frac{1}{2}[(\frac{d}{dt})(ln(t))] + (\frac{d}{dt})(\frac{1}{2})(ln(t))
We have \frac{1}{2}*\frac{1}{t} + 0(this-is-the-derivative-of \frac{1}{2}) * ln(t)
so this shows that the derivative of \frac{1}{2} * ln(t) = \frac{1}{2t}


I hope you understand!


Thank you
 
  • #20
judahs_lion said:
Thank you

Ok, so after all that fuss, you can do the integral, right?
 
  • #21
Dick said:
Ok, so after all that fuss, you can do the integral, right?

not really. I am thinking insted of it substituting to udu, it would be something like u((1/2)du)?
 
  • #22
judahs_lion said:
not really. I am thinking insted of it substituting to udu, it would be something like u((1/2)du)?

Argh. Why don't you use the original substitution you suggested, u=ln(t^(1/2)). It works great. I promise you.
 
  • #23
judahs_lion said:
not really. I am thinking insted of it substituting to udu, it would be something like u((1/2)du)?
Dick said:
Argh. Why don't you use the original substitution you suggested, u=ln(t^(1/2)). It works great. I promise you.

I promise too :).
 
  • #24
I just don't see it. Don't see du inside the original function.
 
  • #25
judahs_lion said:
I just don't see it. Don't see du inside the original function.

I'm going to have to ask you again. If u=ln(t^(1/2)), what's du? Why don't you see du (or some constant multiple of it) in the original function?
 
  • #26
Dick said:
I'm going to have to ask you again. If u=ln(t^(1/2)), what's du? Why don't you see du (or some constant multiple of it) in the original function?

du = 1/(2t). Only thing i can think of is bringing the 1/2 down but don't see how that helps me.
 
  • #27
judahs_lion said:
du = 1/(2t). Only thing i can think of is bringing the 1/2 down but don't see how that helps me.

It's du=(1/(2t))*dt, ok? Can you show what you get when you use that substitution into the original integral?
 
  • #28
2(udu) ?
 
  • #29
judahs_lion said:
2(udu) ?

I think that that's supposed to be 2\int udu
 
  • #30
MysticDude said:
I think that that's supposed to be 2\int udu

yea, i don't know have to use symbols in here.
 

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