Is there a way to simplify this integral involving an exponential function?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the simplification of integrals involving an exponential function, specifically focusing on the integral of the form ##\int_a^b{f(t)e^{t}}dt##, where ##f(t)## is a function with a known integral over the interval. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and exploration of integration techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the differentiability of ##f(t)## and whether the integral should involve ##f(t)## instead of ##f(a)##.
  • Another participant provides a formula for the integral ##\int_a^b{f(a)e^{t}}dt = f(a)[e^b - e^a]## but later corrects themselves, indicating the focus should be on ##\int_a^b{f(t)e^{t}}dt##.
  • A participant expresses uncertainty about evaluating the integral ##\int_a^b{f(t)e^{t}}dt## without additional information regarding ##f(t)##.
  • One participant suggests using the fundamental theorem of calculus to relate the definite integral to the antiderivative, noting that integration by parts may not yield a computable form without further properties of ##f(t)##.
  • There is mention of various types of integrals that can be computed, but the lack of specific properties for ##f(t)## is highlighted as a limitation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the ability to simplify the integral without additional information about ##f(t)##. There is no consensus on a definitive method for simplification, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the evaluation of the integral.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the dependence on the properties of ##f(t)##, which are not fully specified, creating limitations in the evaluation of the integral.

BillKet
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Hello! I have a function ##f(t)## such that ##\int_a^b{f(t)dt}=f_0##. Is there a way to calculate (or bring it to a simpler form) ##\int_a^b{f(a)e^{t}}dt##? Thank you!
 
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May i ask : does the exercise say that ##f(t)## is differentiable? the second integral contains##f(a)##?or perhaps it is ##f(t)##? what is your effort so far?
 
BillKet said:
Hello! I have a function ##f(t)## such that ##\int_a^b{f(t)dt}=f_0##. Is there a way to calculate (or bring it to a simpler form) ##\int_a^b{f(a)e^{t}}dt##? Thank you!
As written, ##\int_a^b{f(a)e^{t}}dt = f(a)[e^b - e^a]##.
 
etotheipi said:
As written, ##\int_a^b{f(a)e^{t}}dt = f(a)[e^b - e^a]##.
Ah sorry, the questions should be about ##\int_a^b{f(t)e^{t}}dt##
 
trees and plants said:
May i ask : does the exercise say that ##f(t)## is differentiable? the second integral contains##f(a)##?or perhaps it is ##f(t)##? what is your effort so far?
It should be ##f(t)##. It is not an exercise, it is something obtained from a physics experiment, but I would say that yes, the function is differentiable. I can't say that I had many ideas, I was hoping there is probably some formula I don't know about that can be applied, as there is not much to do here with basic integration techniques.
 
BillKet said:
Ah sorry, the questions should be about ##\int_a^b{f(t)e^{t}}dt##
I don't think the integral can be evaluated without knowing more about f(t).
 
You could use the fundamental theorem of calculus for the first integral to get values for ##a## and ##b## for the antiderivative, let us say it ##F##, so you have ##F(b)-F(a)=f_0##.

We are talking here about definite integrals so for the second integral, someone i think would need to express it in terms of ##F(a),F(b)##, using integration by parts i think does not lead to computing it.

I want to say that there are ways to compute some integrals involving exponentials, polynomials, n-th roots, square roots and others, but here ##f(t)## is given without saying whether it has other properties or is of a form as for example the ones i said in this post.
 

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