- #1
alexburns1991
- 10
- 0
Homework Statement
[tex]\int e^{-\frac{1}{2}(ax^{2}+\frac{b}{x^{2}})} dx[/tex]
from [tex]-\infty[/tex] to [tex]\infty[/tex]
Homework Equations
it says to solve this, given that, again from [tex]-\infty[/tex]to [tex]\infty[/tex]:
[tex]\int e^{-\frac{1}{2}x^{2}}}dx[/tex]
= [tex]\sqrt{}2\pi[/tex]
and suggests that the substitution
[tex]u = x\sqrt{a}- \frac{\sqrt{b}}{x}[/tex]
may be helpful taking into account the limits carefully
The Attempt at a Solution
i did all this and all i ended up with was another integral which was no more helpful than the one i had in the beginning, and didnt resemble the stated gaussian integral. i am also unsure as to what to make of the "taking into account the limits carefully" I am not sure if there is something that I am missing out which is blindingly obvious, but any help would be greatly appreciated!