Integration of Gaussian equation

kekly
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Hi,

Need help desperately!

I am trying to figure out the area under a gaussian cone by finding the integral of


2PIArEXP[-(r^2)/(2sigma^2)] dr

My supervisor thought it is

2PI [A sigma^2 EXP(-(r^2)/(2 sigma^2)] Between 0 and infinity

and he came up with the answer

2 PI A sigma^2

I hope you can understand that!

I don't think that his integration is right to get to the second step there. But I'm not sure why. I don't think sigma will come down like that. Please help me. I haven't done maths like this for a few years and I'm very rusty at it!

Thanks

Kek
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I think he has taken
2PIArEXP[-(r^2)/(2sigma^2)] dr

-- AI
 
To find 2\pi {A} \int_0^{\infinity}{r e^{\frac{-r^2}{2\sigma^2}}dr}, let u= \frac{r^2}{2\sigma^2}. Then du= \frac{r}{\sigma^2} so rdr= \sigma^2du. When r=0, u= 0, when r= infinity, u= infinity so the integral becomes 2\pi {A} \sigma\int_{o}^{\infinity}{e^{-u} du}.
That IS -2\pi {A} \sigma e^{-u} evaluated between u=0 and u= infinity:
2\pi {A} \sigma.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
rdr = sigma^2 du
the final answer is 2*pi*A*sigma^2

-- AI
 
I see what he has done now!

Thanks so much. You guys are lifesavers!

Kek
 
HallsofIvy said:
To find 2\pi {A} \int_0^{\infinity}{r e^{\frac{-r^2}{2\sigma^2}}dr}, let u= \frac{r^2}{2\sigma^2}. Then du= \frac{r}{\sigma^2} so rdr= \sigma^2du. When r=0, u= 0, when r= infinity, u= infinity so the integral becomes 2\pi {A} \sigma\int_{o}^{\infinity}{e^{-u} du}.
That IS -2\pi {A} \sigma e^{-u} evaluated between u=0 and u= infinity:
2\pi {A} \sigma.

Thanks for your help. I am still a little confused. As I said I haven't done integration like this for a long time!

I can't see how you substituted rdr= \sigma^2du back into get 2\pi {A} \sigma\int_{o}^{\infinity}{e^{-u} du}. I can see that when r=0, u= 0, when r= infinity, u= infinity. That is fine but where does the sigma come from and where does the r go?

Thanks
kek
 
kekly,
Look at the substitution hurkyl makes ...
u = r^2/(2*sigma^2)
find du/dr

-- AI
 
I understand the substitution that is made and I can find

du/dr = r/sigma^2

That can then be rearranged to

rdr = sigma^2du

How then do I get to this!

2\pi {A} \sigma\int_{o}^{\infinity}{e^{-u} du}


Forgive me I think it is part of the substiution method that I don't understand. I haven't done it for many years.
 
Thanks for all your hlep. I have been playing around with it and I understand it now!

It was not remembering how to use the substitution method that was causing me problems!

Thansk again for all your help!

kek
 
Back
Top