Proving integrand of odd function from -a to a is 0

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In summary, if a continuous function f is odd on the interval [-a, a], then the integral of f(x) on that interval is equal to 0. This can be shown by setting u=-x and using the definition of an odd function.
  • #1
tainted
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Homework Statement



Suppose f is a continuous function defined on an interval [-a, a]. Show that if f is odd, then
[itex] [-a,a]\int f(x)\,dx = 0 [/itex]

Homework Equations


If f is odd, then
##f(-x) = -f(x)##
##u=-x##
Our TA told us to set u equal to -x.

The Attempt at a Solution


## u = -x ##
## -du = dx ##

##-[a,-a]\int f(x)\,dx##
##[a,-a]\int -f(x)\,dx##
definition of odd function
##[a,-a]\int f(-x)\,dx##

##-\int f(u)\,du##
##-F(-x)|[a,-a]##
##F(-x)|[-a,a]##
##F(-a) - F(-(-a))##
##F(-a) - F(a)##
## -2F(a) ##
Obviously I went wrong in my proof somewhere or I got distracted and did useless steps.
Thanks in advance!
 
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  • #2
Write ##\int_{-a}^a f(x)\ dx = \int_{-a}^0 f(x)\ dx +\int_{0}^a f(x)\ dx ## and make that substitution on the first integral only.
 
  • #3
##\int_{-a}^a f(x)\ dx = \int_{-a}^0 f(x)\ dx +\int_{0}^a f(x)\ dx##
## \int_{-a}^0 f(x)\ dx ##
##-\int_{0}^{-a} f(x)\ dx ##
##\int_{0}^{-a} -f(x)\ dx ##
##\int_{0}^{-a} f(-x)\ dx ##
##\int f(u)\,dx ##
## -F(u) = -F(-x) ##
## -F(-x)|_{0}^{-a} ##
## -[F(-(-a)) - F(0)] ##
## [F(0) - F(a)] ##

##\int_{0}^a f(x)\ dx##
## F(x)|_{0}^{a} ##
##[F(a) - F(0)]##


##F(0) - F(a) + F(a) - F(0) = 0##

Thanks man!
 
  • #4
It is much less convoluted to do it like this with ##\int_{-a}^0 f(x)\, dx##. Let ##u = -x,\, du=-dx## giving ##\int_a^0 f(-u)(-du)=-\int_0^a f(u)\, du##, which cancels out the ##\int_0^a f(x)\, dx##.
 

1. What is an integrand?

An integrand is a mathematical expression or function that is being integrated, typically with respect to a given variable. It is the part of the integral that is being evaluated.

2. What does it mean for a function to be odd?

A function is considered odd if it satisfies the condition f(-x) = -f(x) for all values of x. This means that the function exhibits symmetry about the origin, and its graph is symmetric with respect to the y-axis.

3. Why is it important to prove that the integrand of an odd function from -a to a is 0?

Proving that the integrand of an odd function is 0 from -a to a is important because it allows us to use the property of odd functions to simplify the integration process. If the integrand is 0, then the entire integral will also be 0, making the integration much easier and more efficient.

4. How can we prove that the integrand of an odd function from -a to a is 0?

To prove that the integrand of an odd function from -a to a is 0, we can use the properties of odd functions to rewrite the integral as the summation of two integrals, one from 0 to a and the other from -a to 0. Since the function is odd, the two integrals will be equal in magnitude but have opposite signs, resulting in a cancellation and a final value of 0.

5. What are some examples of odd functions?

Examples of odd functions include sine, cosine, tangent, and their corresponding inverse trigonometric functions. Other examples include polynomial functions with only odd powers, such as x^3 or x^5, and the natural logarithm function ln(x).

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