Is the Improper Integral Convergent and What is its Value?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the convergence of the improper integral $$\int_{0}^{\infty}8e^{-8x} \,dx$$ and the calculation of its value if it is indeed convergent. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and evaluation of improper integrals.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant initiates the discussion by asking whether the improper integral converges and how to calculate its value.
  • Another participant questions the limit $$-\lim_{b\to\infty}e^{-8b}$$ to explore the behavior of the integral as the upper limit approaches infinity.
  • A participant confirms that $$-\lim_{b\to\infty}e^{-8b}=0$$, suggesting that the limit exists and is continuous.
  • A later reply outlines a detailed evaluation of the integral, stating that since the integrand is differentiable and continuous, the improper integral can be expressed as a limit of definite integrals.
  • This reply concludes with the evaluation of the integral, arriving at a limit of 1, indicating that the integral converges to this value.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There appears to be a general agreement on the convergence of the integral and the method of evaluation, but the discussion does not explicitly confirm consensus on all points raised.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty regarding the coverage of the topic from the text, and there may be assumptions about the continuity and differentiability of the integrand that are not fully explored.

karush
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206.8.8.11
$\text{determine if the improper integral is convergent} \\
\text{and calculate its value if it is convergent. } $

$$\displaystyle
\int_{0}^{\infty}8e^{-8x} \,dx
=-e^{-8x}+C$$
$$\text{not sure about the coverage thing from the text } $$
View attachment 6032
 
Last edited:
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What is $$-\lim_{b\to\infty}e^{-8b}$$ ?
 
$\text{ 206.8.8.11}$
$$-\lim_{b\to\infty}e^{-8b}=0$$

$\text{so then the limit exists and it is continuous}$
☕
 
We are given to evaluate:

$$I=\int_0^{\infty} 8e^{-8x}\,dx$$

We see that the integrand is differentiable over the reals, therefore it must be continuous over the interval of integration. Therefore, by 1.), we may state:

$$I=\lim_{t\to\infty}\left(\int_0^{t} 8e^{-8x}\,dx\right)$$

$$I=\lim_{t\to\infty}\left(\int_0^{t} e^{-8x}\,(8\,dx)\right)$$

$$I=\lim_{t\to\infty}\left(\int_0^{t} e^{-u}\,du\right)$$

Apply the FTOC:

$$I=\lim_{t\to\infty}\left(-\left[e^{-u}\right]_0^t\right)$$

$$I=\lim_{t\to\infty}\left(1-e^{-t}\right)=1-0=1$$

The limit exists, and so the given definite integral converges to the value of the limit.
 

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