How to Solve the Integral of e^x ln(x) dx?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral of e^x ln(x) dx, exploring various methods of integration, particularly integration by parts. Participants share their approaches, challenges, and insights regarding the integral's complexity and potential solutions.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty with the integral, noting a repetitive process when applying integration by parts.
  • Another participant suggests that if the integration by parts leads back to the original integral, one can substitute it with a variable to solve for the integral.
  • Some participants discuss the implications of repeatedly applying integration by parts, leading to an infinite series rather than a solution in elementary functions.
  • A specific case of the integral evaluated from 0 to infinity is mentioned, yielding a result involving the Euler-Mascheroni constant.
  • There is a clarification regarding the meaning of gamma, identified as the Euler-Mascheroni constant.
  • Mathematica's solution to the integral is presented, involving the ExpIntegralEi function and a series expansion.
  • A participant introduces a seemingly unrelated question about integrating sin(ln(x)), which is met with confusion from others.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the integral's solution, with multiple competing views and methods discussed. The complexity of the integral and the nature of integration by parts lead to differing opinions on the approach and potential outcomes.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that the integral cannot be expressed in terms of elementary functions, while others reference specific cases or alternative forms that may yield results under certain conditions.

ultrazyn
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i need help with this integral

\int{e^x}{ln{x}}dx

when i let u=ln(x) and v=e^x, i get

\{e^x}{lnx}\ - \int{e^x/{x}}dx

and then it keeps looping
 
Last edited:
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What do you mean by "it keeps looping?"
 
If by "looping", you mean that you let dv= \frac{1}{x} and u= e^x and everything canceled out leaving you with
\int e^x lnx dx= \int e^x ln x dx[/itex]<br /> Of course!<br /> <br /> If you do integration by parts twice and the second time &quot;swap&quot; u and dv, that will always happen.<br /> <br /> Perhaps what you mean is that you again let dv= e^x and u= \frac{1}{x} so that you would up with<br /> e^x lnx dx= e^x lnx- \frac{1}{x}+ \int\frac{e^x}{x^2}dx[/itex]&lt;br /&gt; and continuing just gives you higher and higher powers in the denominator: Okay, that&amp;#039;s good. What eventually happens is that, in the limit, you get ln x plus an infinite series. The integral cannot be done in terms of &amp;quot;elementary&amp;quot; functions.
 
If, when solving by parts, you ever end up with your original integral, you can substitute a algebraically (like substitute the letter I for the origingal integral anywhere you see it) then just solve for I and that's your solution.

My professor broke solving by parts into three different types, and he called that one "around the world"
 
HallsofIvy said:
If by "looping", you mean that you let dv= \frac{1}{x} and u= e^x and everything canceled out leaving you with
\int e^x lnx dx= \int e^x ln x dx[/itex]<br /> Of course!<br /> <br /> If you do integration by parts twice and the second time &quot;swap&quot; u and dv, that will always happen.<br /> <br /> Perhaps what you mean is that you again let dv= e^x and u= \frac{1}{x} so that you would up with<br /> e^x lnx dx= e^x lnx- \frac{1}{x}+ \int\frac{e^x}{x^2}dx[/itex]&lt;br /&gt; and continuing just gives you higher and higher powers in the denominator: Okay, that&amp;#039;s good. What eventually happens is that, in the limit, you get ln x plus an infinite series. The integral cannot be done in terms of &amp;quot;elementary&amp;quot; functions.
&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; Except for the case \int_0^{\infty}dxe^{-ax}lnx=-\frac{\gamma+lna}{a} which is exact.
 
Your integral is a definite integral, the other is not, moreover, what is gamma?
 

\text{ExpIntegralEi}[x] = - \int_{-x}^\infty \frac{e^{-t}}{t} dt

Mathematica solution:
\int e^x ln{x} dx = \int_{-x}^\infty \frac{e^{-t}}{t} dt + e^x ln x

---

\gamma - EulerGamma (Euler-Mascheroni Constant)

\text{ExpIntegralEi}[z] = \sum_{k=1}^\infty \frac{z^k}{kk!} + \frac{1}{2} \left[ ln z - ln \left( \frac{1}{z} \right) \right] + \gamma

\int_{-z}^\infty \frac{e^{-t}}{t} dt = \sum_{k=1}^\infty \frac{z^k}{kk!} + \frac{1}{2} \left[ ln z - ln \left( \frac{1}{z} \right) \right] + \gamma

Orion1 solution:
\int e^x ln{x} dx = \sum_{k=1}^\infty \frac{x^k}{kk!} + \frac{1}{2} \left[ ln x - ln \left( \frac{1}{x} \right) \right] + e^x ln x + \gamma

Reference:
http://functions.wolfram.com/GammaBetaErf/ExpIntegralEi/02/
[/Color]
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/Euler-MascheroniConstant.html
 
Last edited:
if "lnx" is the anle of any trignometric function. like intergration of "sinln dx "
 
  • #10
ashu_manoo12 said:
if "lnx" is the anle of any trignometric function. like intergration of "sinln dx "

What? That made absolutely no sense whatsoever? ln(x) is the natural logarithm of x.
 

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