Numerical Integration twice (acceleration to displacement)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the numerical integration of a particle's acceleration function, specifically from acceleration to displacement. Participants explore methods for achieving accurate numerical integration, particularly focusing on the use of Simpson's rule and Newton-Cotes formulas. The context includes theoretical and practical aspects of numerical methods in physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the challenge of integrating the acceleration function \( a = t^t \) to find velocity and then displacement, expressing difficulty with integration by parts.
  • Another participant suggests using double numerical integration with forward Euler method, emphasizing the need for small integration steps due to the steep nature of \( a(t) \).
  • A different participant recommends using tiny integration steps or checking WolframAlpha for a one-time calculation, while suggesting better integration schemes like Verlet integration for repeated calculations.
  • One participant asserts that the integration by parts approach is valid, citing a successful example with a different function, but another counters that a single successful case does not constitute proof.
  • Another participant introduces the idea of using precise cubatures of Gauss type for numerical integration, providing specific formulas for Newton-Cotes quadrature for both velocity and displacement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the validity of the integration by parts method. While some support its correctness based on personal experience, others challenge its applicability and seek clarification on the derivatives involved. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity of the integral due to the non-elementary nature of \( t^t \) and the challenges posed by variables outside the integral. There are references to the need for high accuracy in numerical integration, which may depend on the chosen method and step size.

Pcmath
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Hello everyone

I have the following question regarding numerical integration twice from acceleration to displacement.

Suppose that a particle has acceleration function of a = tt (which has non-elementary integral), to find the velocity it is easy as I can use Simpson's rule for numerical integration. But now I would like to find the displacement of the particle after some time, let say 5 seconds, how do I calculate it?

Note that I need very accurate answer, so I usually integrate numerically using Excel with thousand interval.

I prefer to use Newton-Cotes formula if possible.

EDIT
I tried using integration by parts, but I always reach a point where I can't continue.
a = tt
Let v = ∫ tt
s = ∫ v
= t*v - ∫ t*tt
= t ∫ tt - ∫ t*tt

For example, to find the displacement after t = 5 seconds
∫ t*tt from 0 to 5 is easy to integrate numerically
But the problem is t ∫ tt I don't know how to do it because there is variable outside the integral.

For those who don't know, I am using integration by parts formula for definite integral, it includes find the value of
( t ∫ tt ) from 0 to 5
 
Last edited:
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Hello pcmath, : welcome:

You have ## \ a = t^t\ ## and with ##\ a = \displaystyle {dv\over dt} \ ## you get ##\ v = \int a\;dt\ = \int t^t\; dt##.

Then , with ##\ v= \displaystyle {ds\over dt} \ ## you can write ##\ s = \int \left (\ \int t^t\; dt\ \right ) dt' ##. Written with bounds:$$
s(t) = \int_{t'= 0}^t \left (\ \int_{t''=0}^{t' } t''^{(t'')} \; dt''\ \right ) dt' $$
That is your double integral.
Pcmath said:
s = ∫ v = t*v - ∫ t*tt = t ∫ tt - ∫ t*tt
is something I cannot agree with.

You could do a double numerical integration using forward Euler
$$ v(t+\Delta t) = v(t) + a(t) * \Delta t \\ s(t+\Delta t) = s(t) + v(t) * \Delta t \ $$ and you would indeed have to take very small steps because a(t) is so steep.
 
Last edited:
If you just need this once do it with tiny integration steps (or check WolframAlpha). If you need it many times, it is worth implementing a better integration scheme - Verlet integration or one of the other methods discussed there.
 
Thank you guys for your help, I will try it.

BvU said:
is something I cannot agree with.
This is actually correct as I have tried it. Assuming that a = x^2 then you can find s using that way, it gives the same value as integrate twice.
 
Pcmath said:
This is actually correct as I have tried it
Note that one successful example does not a proof constitute. It looks like integration by parts and then the question is: what is the time derivative of ##t^t##
 
Pcmath said:
Hello everyone

I have the following question regarding numerical integration twice from acceleration to displacement.

Suppose that a particle has acceleration function of a = tt (which has non-elementary integral), to find the velocity it is easy as I can use Simpson's rule for numerical integration. But now I would like to find the displacement of the particle after some time, let say 5 seconds, how do I calculate it?

Note that I need very accurate answer, so I usually integrate numerically using Excel with thousand interval.

I prefer to use Newton-Cotes formula if possible.

EDIT
I tried using integration by parts, but I always reach a point where I can't continue.
a = tt
Let v = ∫ tt
s = ∫ v
= t*v - ∫ t*tt
= t ∫ tt - ∫ t*tt

For example, to find the displacement after t = 5 seconds
∫ t*tt from 0 to 5 is easy to integrate numerically
But the problem is t ∫ tt I don't know how to do it because there is variable outside the integral.

For those who don't know, I am using integration by parts formula for definite integral, it includes find the value of
( t ∫ tt ) from 0 to 5
Hallo

You can use precise cubatures of Gauss type according: "Computation of definite integral over repeated integral" Tatra mountains, publ. 75 (2018). The Newton-Cotes is in preparation now. Shortly, for order 5 you can use standard quadrature Newton-Cotes: v5= v0+5h/288(19a0+75a1+50a2+50a3+75a4+19a5)
and cubature for displacement: s5=s0+v0*(5*h)+25h*h/2016(122a0+475a1+100a2+250a3+50a4+11a5)
The polynomial precision is 5.
 

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