Problem involving a definite integral

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on evaluating the definite integral of the function \( e^{x^2} \) from 0 to 1, comparing it with the integral of \( e^x \) over the same interval. Participants confirm that \( \int_0^1 e^{x^2}\,dx < \int_0^1 e^x\,dx \), leading to the conclusion that the constant \( a \) defined as \( a = \frac{e-1}{\int_0^1 e^{x^2}\,dx} \) is greater than 1. The conversation emphasizes the need for establishing both upper and lower bounds for the integral of \( e^{x^2} \) to further analyze the value of \( a \).

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ubergewehr273
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Homework Statement


Refer the image.

Homework Equations


Integral (e^x)dx from 0 to 1=e-1.

The Attempt at a Solution


Refer the other image. The graph of e^(x^2) increases more slowly than e^x till x=1.
So 'a' is clearly greater than 1. Is this right?
 

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Thread moved. Please post problems involving integrals in the Calculus & Beyond section, not in the Precalculus section.

ubergewehr273 said:
The graph of e^(x^2) increases more slowly than e^x till x=1.
What does ##e^x## have to do with anything? The integrand is ##e^{x^2}##.
 
Mark44 said:
What does ##e^x## have to do with anything? The integrand is ##e^{x^2}##.
So that ##\int_0^1 e^{x^2}\,dx## and ##\int_0^1 e^x\,dx## can be compared.
Clearly ##\int_0^1 e^{x^2}\,dx## < ##\int_0^1 e^x\,dx##
 
ubergewehr273 said:
So that ##\int_0^1 e^{x^2}\,dx## and ##\int_0^1 e^x\,dx## can be compared.
Clearly ##\int_0^1 e^{x^2}\,dx## < ##\int_0^1 e^x\,dx##
Sure, they can be compared.
Relative to this problem, you have ##e - 1 = a\int_0^1 e^{x^2}dx < a\int_0^1 e^x dx =##?
Can you fill in for the question mark?
What does this say about a?
Do you still believe that a > 1?
 
Last edited:
ubergewehr273 said:
So that ##\int_0^1 e^{x^2}\,dx## and ##\int_0^1 e^x\,dx## can be compared.
Clearly ##\int_0^1 e^{x^2}\,dx## < ##\int_0^1 e^x\,dx##
##a=\frac{e-1} {\int_0^1 e^{x^2}\,dx}##
And from the above quoted equation,
##a=\frac{e-1} {<e-1}##
Hence ##a>1##. Is this correct?
 
ubergewehr273 said:
##a=\frac{e-1} {\int_0^1 e^{x^2}\,dx}##
And from the above quoted equation,
##a=\frac{e-1} {<e-1}##
Hence ##a>1##. Is this correct?
Yes.
 
Mark44 said:
Yes.
Then from there on how do I proceed? Options B and C get ruled out.
 
You have an upper bound on ##\int_0^1 e^{x^2}dx##, namely ##\int_0^1 e^x = e - 1##, so now you need a lower bound on that integral.
What about a Riemann sum? You could get a lower bound by dividing the interval [0, 1] into two parts, and calculating the areas of the two rectangular areas under the graph of ##y = e^{x^2}##.

Here's what I have in mind -- it's a pretty crude sketch, but maybe it gets my idea across. The curve is supposed to be the graph of ##y = e^{x^2}##.
graph.png
 

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