Is the Integral of sin(1/t) from 1/pi to infinity convergent?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the convergence of the integral of the function f(t) = sin(1/t) from 1/π to infinity. Participants are exploring the behavior of this integral and comparing it to known functions to determine convergence properties.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to use the Taylor series of sin(x) to estimate the behavior of sin(1/t) for large t, questioning whether the comparison with 1/t is valid for determining convergence.
  • Some participants question the assumptions made regarding the relationship between sin(1/t) and 1/t, noting that sin(1/t) is less than 1/t for large t.
  • Further discussion arises around the integral of sin(t^2) from 0 to infinity, with participants exploring the differences in behavior compared to sin(t) and seeking hints for convergence analysis.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing hints and engaging in reasoning about the convergence of the integrals. There is a recognition of the complexity involved in analyzing the integral of sin(t^2), and multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the methods they can use to analyze the integrals. There is an emphasis on finding functions for comparison that can help establish convergence without directly solving the integrals.

Kruger
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Homework Statement



Given the integral f(t)=sin(1/t)dt from 1/pi to infinity. Examine if it is convergent.

Homework Equations



No particular equation. But I know that if the integral of a function g is convergent and there's another function h such that |h|<=g than the integral of h is also convergent.

The Attempt at a Solution



What I tried so far is to take the Taylor serie T(X) of sin(x). Which is T(x)=x+o(x) where o(x) is a term that is negative if x is small enough. So I can estimate the function f(t): sin(1/t)>=1/t for large t.

But now I'm not really sure if I conclude the right thing out of this:

Does it follow, that because |sin(1/t)|>=1/t for large t and the integral of 1/t from 1/pi to infinity is not convergent, so sin(1/t) isn't convergent, too?

Or how can I solve this without using the Taylor serie? I think it isn't the right way.
 
Last edited:
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Kruger said:
Does it follow, that because |sin(1/t)|>=1/t for large t and the integral of 1/t from 1/pi to infinity is not convergent, so sin(1/t) isn't convergent, too?

You have the right idea. Except sin(1/t)<1/t for large t. Hint: It's not very much less.
 
Ok, I've solved it successfully. Thanks.

The next one is to check wheter the integral of sin(t^2) from 0 to infinity is divergent or convergent.

What I did so far is to find the zero points of sin(t^2) which are in (n*pi)^(1/2). So I can write our integral in a new way, more precisely, with a sum. I sum up over n from 0 to infinity and integrate over (n*pi)^(1/2) to ((n+1)*pi)^(1/2).

But how can I go on to show that the integral sin(t^2) is convergent?
 
You can't.

How does the integral of sin(t2) differ from the integral of sin(t)?
 
Well, the areas in further regions of the x-axis get smaller and smaller (sin(x^2)) and in sin(x) the areas are always the same.

Can you give me a hint?
 
Well one way it differs is that it isn't elementary...Just incase Kruger doesn't already know, even though in sin x they remain the same, the integral is the net area, not the total area. The differences in the areas of sin x^2 gets smaller as x gets large, so that could converge as well i think, i don't know. Halls obviously knows though :P
 
I know that it isn't elementary, else I had calculated the integral with some method. The task and goal is to estimate the integral of sin(x^2). For example I could find some other function f(x) such that f(x)>=sin(x^2) and with the special property that the integral of f(x) converges, thus sin(x^2) also converges.
 

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