Recursive equation for an integral

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a recursive equation for the integral \( I_n = \int_{0}^{1} \frac{x^{n+1/2}}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}dx \). Participants explore various approaches to derive this recursion, including integration by parts and substitutions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants suggest different methods such as multiplying the integrand by \( 1-x^2 \) and using trigonometric substitutions like \( x = \sin(u) \). There are also discussions about the correct interpretation of the integral's exponent and the form of the recursive relationship.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with several participants providing hints and partial solutions. Some approaches have led to further questions about the correctness of the steps taken, indicating a collaborative effort to refine the methods used. There is no explicit consensus on a final recursive formula yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework guidelines, which may limit the types of solutions or methods they can employ. There are also clarifications regarding the notation and definitions used in the integral.

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i have:
[tex]I_n=\int_{0}^{1} \frac{x^{n+1/2}}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}dx[/tex]

and i need to find a recursive equation for the above integral, and this is what i got so far:
[tex]I_n=\left[x^{n+1/2}*arcsin(x)\right]_{0}^{1}+(n+1/2)\int_{0}^{1}x^{n-1/2}arcsin(x)dx[/tex]
 
Last edited:
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Try multiplying the top and bottom of the original integrand by 1-x2.
 
it still doesn't work, because i get an integral with x^(n+3/2)/(sqrt(1-x^2))^3, where i should get an integral of x^(n+3/2)/(sqrt(1-x^2)).
 
Uhmm, I just want to ask, is it (n + 1) / 2 or n + (1 / 2)?
Is it:
[tex]I_n=\int_{0}^{1} \frac{x^{n+ \frac{1}{2}}}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}dx[/tex]
or
[tex]I_n=\int_{0}^{1} \frac{x^{\frac{n + 1}{2}}}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}dx[/tex]?
 
it's n+(1/2)
 
HINT: Consider [tex]\frac{d}{dx}[x^{n+\frac{1}{2}}\sqrt{1-x^2}][/tex].

Once you have obtained the recursive equation, you will just need to modify it slightly to obtain [tex]I_{n}[/tex] in terms of [tex]I_{n-2}[/tex].
 
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You can use StatusX's hint to solve your problem. And also you should choose u, and v wisely.
[tex]I_n = \int_0 ^ 1 \frac{x ^ {n + \frac{1}{2}}}{\sqrt{1 - x ^ 2}} dx = \int_0 ^ 1 \frac{x ^ {n + \frac{1}{2}} (1 + x ^ 2)}{\sqrt{(1 - x ^ 2) ^ 3}} dx = - \frac{1}{2} \int_0 ^ 1 \frac{x ^ {n - \frac{1}{2}} (1 + x ^ 2)}{\sqrt{(1 - x ^ 2) ^ 3}} d(1 - x ^ 2)[/tex]
[tex]= \int_0 ^ 1 x ^ {n - \frac{1}{2}} (1 + x ^ 2) d \left( \frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - x ^ 2}} \right)[/tex]
Now let [tex]u = x ^ {n - \frac{1}{2}} (1 + x ^ 2)[/tex], and [tex]dv = d \left( \frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - x ^ 2}} \right)[/tex].
Can you go from here? :)
Recheck my maths if possible. I'm having a slight headache. :frown:
 
loop quantum gravity said:
it still doesn't work, because i get an integral with x^(n+3/2)/(sqrt(1-x^2))^3, where i should get an integral of x^(n+3/2)/(sqrt(1-x^2)).

You should split the integral into the sum of two integrals, both of the form xsomething/(1-x2)3/2. These can both be integrated by parts to get two boundary terms (which must be combined before being evaluated), and multiples of Im for a couple values of m.
 
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Use x=sin(u)

Use the substitution [tex]x=\sin u[/tex] so that [tex]dx=\cos u du[/tex] to get

[tex]I_n=\int_{0}^{1} \frac{x^{n+1/2}}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}dx=\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \sin ^{n+1/2} u du[/tex]​

The recurrence you are looking for is [tex]I_{n+2}=f(n)I_{n}[/tex]
where f(n) is a rational function of n.

P.S. (the one you are not looking for is [tex]I_{n}I_{n+1}=\frac{\pi}{2n+3}[/tex])
 
  • #10
benorin, i tried your approach but still didn't get a recursive eq, here what i got:
[tex]I_n=\int_{0}^{1} \frac{x^{n+1/2}}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}dx=\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \sin ^{n+1/2} (t) dt=\left[tsin^{n+1/2}(t)\right]_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}}-\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}}(n+1/2)sin^{n-1/2}(t)d(sin(t))[/tex]
 
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  • #11
and statusx, here what i got from your appraoch:
[tex]I_n=\int_{0}^{1} \frac{x^{n+1/2}}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}dx=\left[\frac{x^{n+3/2}}{(n+3/2)(\sqrt{1-x^2})^{3}}\right]_{0}^{1}-\int_{0}^{1}\frac{3x^{n+5/2}}{(n+3/2)(\sqrt{1-x^2})^{5}}dx-\left[\frac{x^{2n+2}}{(2n+2)(\sqrt{1-x^2})^{3}}\right]_{0}^{1}+\int_{0}^{1}3/(2n+2)\frac{x^{2n+3}}{(\sqrt{1-x^2})^{5}}dx[/tex]
 
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  • #12
Use a trick

[tex]I_{n+2}=\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \sin ^{n+2+1/2} u du[/tex]
[tex]=\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \sin ^{n+1/2} u\sin ^{2} u du[/tex]
[tex]= \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \sin ^{n+1/2} u(1-\cos ^{2} u) du[/tex]
[tex]= \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \sin ^{n+1/2} u du -\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \sin ^{n+1/2} u\cos ^{2} u du[/tex]
[tex]= I_{n}-\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \left( \sin ^{n+1/2} u\cos u\right) \cos u du[/tex]
integration by parts (in the last integral): put

[tex]U=\cos u, dU = -\sin u, dV=\sin ^{n+1/2} u\cos u du, V=\frac{1}{n+1+1/2}\sin ^{n+1+1/2} u[/tex]

to get

[tex]I_{n+2}= I_{n}-\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \left( \sin ^{n+1/2} u\cos u\right) \cos u du[/tex]
[tex]= I_{n}-\left[ \frac{1}{n+2+1/2}\cos u\sin ^{n+2+1/2} u \right] _{u=0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} - \frac{1}{n+1+1/2}\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \sin ^{n+2+1/2} u du[/tex]
[tex]=I_{n}- \frac{1}{n+1+1/2}I_{n+2}[/tex]

rewritten this becomes [tex]I_{n+2}=I_{n}- \frac{2}{2n+3}I_{n+2}[/tex]

which gives what your after, namely [tex]I_{n+2}= \frac{2n+3}{2n+5}I_{n}[/tex]
 
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  • #13
loop quantum gravity said:
and statusx, here what i got from your appraoch:
[tex]I_n=\int_{0}^{1} \frac{x^{n+1/2}}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}dx=\left[\frac{x^{n+3/2}}{(n+3/2)(\sqrt{1-x^2})^{3}}\right]_{0}^{1}-\int_{0}^{1}\frac{3x^{n+5/2}}{(n+3/2)(\sqrt{1-x^2})^{5}}dx-\left[\frac{x^{2n+2}}{(2n+2)(\sqrt{1-x^2})^{3}}\right]_{0}^{1}+\int_{0}^{1}3/(2n+2)\frac{x^{2n+3}}{(\sqrt{1-x^2})^{5}}dx[/tex]

I think you're taking the wrong u and dv. Remember:

[tex]\int \frac{x}{(1-x^2)^{3/2}}dx = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}[/tex]
 

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