Is this right?(something i discovered )

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the integration of the function \( f(x) = x^{1/2} \) and the user's attempt to derive a general formula for the integral of an inverse function. The user initially calculated the integral from 0 to 2 using Wolfram Alpha and proposed a formula involving the inverse function. However, another participant clarified that the correct formula is found in Spivak's "Calculus," specifically Exercise 22 in Chapter 13, which states that for an increasing function \( f \), the integral of its inverse is given by \( \int_a^b f^{-1}(x) \, dx = b f^{-1}(b) - a f^{-1}(a) - \int_{f^{-1}(a)}^{f^{-1}(b)} f(x) \, dx \).

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  • Understanding of integral calculus, specifically integration techniques.
  • Familiarity with inverse functions and their properties.
  • Knowledge of Spivak's "Calculus" and its exercises.
  • Experience using computational tools like Wolfram Alpha for verification of mathematical results.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of inverse functions in calculus.
  • Review Spivak's "Calculus," particularly Chapter 13 and Exercise 22.
  • Practice integrating various functions and their inverses to solidify understanding.
  • Explore advanced integration techniques, such as integration by substitution and integration by parts.
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Students of calculus, mathematics educators, and anyone interested in deepening their understanding of integration and inverse functions.

Andrax
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Is this right?

Homework Statement


Hello , so in spivak's calculus we only learn to calculate the integral of x^2 and x in the first chapter , i was wonderin gwhat would the integral of ##x^(1/2)## ##\int_a^b##x^(1/2)## ~dx## , well i used the inverse function and a little bit of work i calculated from 0 to 2 using the integral of x^2 on 0 to 2^(1/2) and integral of 2^(1/2) on 0 to 2 turned out it's the correct answer using wolfram alpha , i checked other variables same , so i tried to generalize this , i don't know if this is correct but here it is (f-1 = f^-1 inverse function of f , it wouldn't let me write it on latex)
##\int_a^b f(x)~dx##=-##\int_c^d f^-1(x)~dx##+##\int_a^b f(b)-f(a)~dx##
where c = f^-1(a) and d=f^-1(b)
i didn't check for a lot of functions , but i was wondering if this is right ; thanks everyone :).
 
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Close, but I don't think it's entirely correct. The correct formula is in Spivak, Exercise 22 in Chapter 13. It holds only for increasing ##f## and states

[tex]\int_a^b f^{-1} = bf^{-1}(b) - af^{-1}(a) -\int_{f^{-1}(a)}^{f^{-1}(b)} f[/tex]

I don't think your formula is quite equivalent to this.
 
micromass said:
Close, but I don't think it's entirely correct. The correct formula is in Spivak, Exercise 22 in Chapter 13. It holds only for increasing ##f## and states

[tex]\int_a^b f^{-1} = bf^{-1}(b) - af^{-1}(a) -\int_{f^{-1}(a)}^{f^{-1}(b)} f[/tex]

I don't think your formula is quite equivalent to this.
oh so there is aformula for it , well thank you
 

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