Proving the equality of two integrals

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving the equality of two integrals involving the sine function. The original poster presents an integral from \(n\pi\) to \((n+1)\pi\) of \(\frac{\sin(x)}{x}\) and relates it to another integral defined as \(a_n\). Participants are exploring the definitions and conditions under which these integrals might be equal.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants question the correctness of the original formulation, particularly regarding the definition of \(a_n\) and its implications when \(n=0\) or \(n=1\). Others suggest using substitutions to simplify the integral and explore the relationship between the two integrals. There are attempts to clarify the application of trigonometric identities and the implications of integrating with respect to different variables.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing hints and suggestions for substitutions and identities that may aid in the proof. There is a recognition of the need to clarify definitions and assumptions, particularly regarding the behavior of sine and cosine functions at integer multiples of \(\pi\).

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating potential issues with the definitions of the integrals and the behavior of trigonometric functions at specific values. There is an emphasis on ensuring that the integrands are well-defined across the relevant domain.

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Homework Statement



Prove

\int_{n\pi}^{(n+1)\cdot \pi} \frac{sin(x)}{x} dx = (-1)^n \cdot a_n

where a_n = \int_{0}^{\pi} \frac{sin(x)}{n\cdot pi x} dx

and n \geq 0

The Attempt at a Solution



My Question is how I do prove that the left side equals the right side? Writting their respective Riemann sums?

Sincerely Yours
Hummingbird
 
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Are you sure you wrote it out correctly? The second integrand isn't defined when n=0, and when n=1 they're certainly not equal.

Did you perhaps mean to write
a_n = \int_0^{\pi} \frac{\sin x}{x - n\pi} \, dx
instead?
 
morphism said:
Are you sure you wrote it out correctly? The second integrand isn't defined when n=0, and when n=1 they're certainly not equal.

Did you perhaps mean to write
a_n = \int_0^{\pi} \frac{\sin x}{x - n\pi} \, dx
instead?

Hi morphism,

I meant to write

a_n = \int_0^{\pi} \frac{\sin x}{x + n\pi} \, dx.

Do I write out each side as a series or sum maybe? I would much appreciate a hint if possible:)

Because

I \int_{n\pi}^{(n+1)\cdot \pi} \frac{sin(x)}{x} dx = sin(x)/x |_{n\pi}^{({n+1})\cdot \pi}

Sincerely Yours
Hummingbird
 
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Sorry - that's what I meant to write as well!

Try the substitution y=x-n\pi.
 
morphism said:
Sorry - that's what I meant to write as well!

Try the substitution y=x-n\pi.

Just be clear you mean I need to find the n anti-derivate of the integral and prove that its the same as the integral on right?

If I do what you ask then y=x+n\pi then I get that

\frac{1}{y} \cdot \int_{0}^{\pi} sin(x) dx where \frac{dy}{dx} = 1
 
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I meant for the substitution to be used with the first integral you posted. Is that what you did? I don't understand how you got a \frac{1}{y} on the outside.
 
morphism said:
I meant for the substitution to be used with the first integral you posted. Is that what you did? I don't understand how you got a \frac{1}{y} on the outside.

Sorry then

\int_{0}^{\pi} \frac{sin(x)}{y} dx


I get the anti-derivative of the above to be

\frac{-cos(x)}{n \dot \pi+x}
 
It seems like you aren't applying the substitution properly.

The integral in question is
\int_{n\pi}^{(n+1)\pi} \frac{\sin x}{x} \, dx.

If we let y=x-n\pi then it becomes
\int_{0}^{\pi} \frac{\sin (y+n\pi)}{y+n\pi} \, dy.

(Notice the change of variables!)

Using a certain identity to simplify \sin (y+n\pi) will wrap things up.
 
morphism said:
It seems like you aren't applying the substitution properly.

The integral in question is
\int_{n\pi}^{(n+1)\pi} \frac{\sin x}{x} \, dx.

If we let y=x-n\pi then it becomes
\int_{0}^{\pi} \frac{\sin (y+n\pi)}{y+n\pi} \, dy.

(Notice the change of variables!)

Using a certain identity to simplify \sin (y+n\pi) will wrap things up.

Excuse me for asking you mean the unit circle identity where the signe in front of sinus changes constantly as n increases?
 
  • #10
I mean sin(x+y)=sin(x)cos(y)+sin(y)cos(x).
 
  • #11
morphism said:
I mean sin(x+y)=sin(x)cos(y)+sin(y)cos(x).

\int_0^{\pi} \frac{sin(n \cdot \pi) \cdot cos(y) + cos(n \pi) \cdot sin(y)}{y+n \pi}} dx

Excuse me for asking but how does that simplify things?
 
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  • #12
Hummingbird25 said:
\int_0^{\pi} \frac{sin(n \cdot \pi) \cdot cos(y) + cos(n \pi) \cdot sin(y)}{y+n \pi}} dx

Excuse me for asking but how does that simplify things?

just so you know, you are integrating with respect to y now!
 
  • #13
sutupidmath said:
just so you know, you are integrating with respect to y now!

Thank You

\int_0^{\pi} \frac{sin(n \cdot \pi) \cdot cos(y) + cos(n \pi) \cdot sin(y)}{y+n \pi}} dy

Do I factor the above or what do I do ?

SR

HM
 
  • #14
well, i am not sure, but i think that factoring would really simplify things, because noteice that sin(npi), and cos(npi) are sonstants so you would end up with sth similar to
\int_0^{\pi} \frac{sin(n \cdot \pi) \cdot cos(y) + cos(n \pi) \cdot sin(y)}{y+n \pi}} dy=sin(n\cdot\pi)\int_0^{\pi}\frac{cos(y)}{y+n\pi}dy+cos(n\pi)\int_0^{\pi}\frac{sin(y)}{y+n\pi}dy= (-1)^{n} a_n

now a_n = \int_0^{\pi} \frac{\sin y}{y + n\pi} \, dy
 
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  • #15
sutupidmath said:
well, i am not sure, but i think that factoring would really simplify things, because noteice that sin(npi), and cos(npi) are sonstants so you would end up with sth similar to
\int_0^{\pi} \frac{sin(n \cdot \pi) \cdot cos(y) + cos(n \pi) \cdot sin(y)}{y+n \pi}} dy=sin(n\cdot\pi)\int_0^{\pi}\frac{cos(y)}{y+n\pi}dy+cos(n\pi)\int_0^{\pi}\frac{sin(y)}{y+n\pi}dy

now a_n = \int_0^{\pi} \frac{\sin y}{y + n\pi} \, dy

Hi and thank you for your answer,

I can see that in order to achieve the result I need to get rid of this term here

sin(n\cdot\pi)\int_0^{\pi}\frac{cos(y)}{y+n\pi}dy

Changing this into a sum would that allow me to get rid of this?

It can't simple be that I set n = 0 zero in the first part of the integral to get rid of it?

Sincerely
Maria the (Hummingbird)
 
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  • #16
If n is an integer, what can you say about the value of \sin n\pi? What about the value of \cos n\pi?
 
  • #17
e(ho0n3 said:
If n is an integer, what can you say about the value of \sin n\pi? What about the value of \cos n\pi?
Yep, and end of story!>.<
 
  • #18
e(ho0n3 said:
If n is an integer, what can you say about the value of \sin n\pi? What about the value of \cos n\pi?

If n icreases \sin n\pi always be zero while \cos n\pi will have its sign in fron change from - to plus everytime n increases!Sincerely Maria.
 
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  • #19
Hummingbird25 said:
If n icreases \sin n\pi always be zero while \cos n\pi will have its sign in fron change from - to plus everytime n increases!

Sincerely Maria.

Yes sin(n\pi)=0,while----<br /> <br /> cos(n\pi)=(-1)^{n}
You are done, have another look at post #14
 
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