Rewriting an integral involving an exponential

AI Thread Summary
The integral of the form ∫_0^{∞} r^k e^{-a r} dr can be evaluated to yield the result k!/a^{k+1}. A suggested approach is to use integration by parts, which simplifies the process. Additionally, relating the integral I(k) to I(k-1) can provide further insights into the solution. The initial complexity of the problem can be misleading, as the solution becomes clearer with these techniques. Overall, the integral can be solved effectively with the right methods.
Repetit
Messages
128
Reaction score
2
Can someone help me show the following:

\int_0^{\infty}r^k e^{-a r} dr=\frac{k!}{a^{k+1}}

I tried to use the polynomial expansion of e^x:

\sum_{n=0,1...} \frac{x^n}{n!}

...but I get stuck pretty fast. Can someone give me a few hints?


Thanks!
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
Just do integration by parts and apply one more well known technique of proof (it might help if you let that integral be I(k), 'cos then what is I(k-1), and how does that link up with the hint to do things by parts?)
 
I got it now! I wasn't really as difficult as it first seemed. Thanks alot! :-)
 
Insights auto threads is broken atm, so I'm manually creating these for new Insight articles. In Dirac’s Principles of Quantum Mechanics published in 1930 he introduced a “convenient notation” he referred to as a “delta function” which he treated as a continuum analog to the discrete Kronecker delta. The Kronecker delta is simply the indexed components of the identity operator in matrix algebra Source: https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/what-exactly-is-diracs-delta-function/ by...
Suppose ,instead of the usual x,y coordinate system with an I basis vector along the x -axis and a corresponding j basis vector along the y-axis we instead have a different pair of basis vectors ,call them e and f along their respective axes. I have seen that this is an important subject in maths My question is what physical applications does such a model apply to? I am asking here because I have devoted quite a lot of time in the past to understanding convectors and the dual...
Back
Top