Series expansion of Sine Integral Si(x)

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SUMMARY

The series expansion of the Sine Integral function, Si(x), is defined as Si(x) = ∫0x (sin(θ)/θ) dθ = Σk=0 [(-1)k x2k+1 / (2k+1)(2k+1)!]. The discussion highlights the confusion surrounding the integration of the series representation of sin(θ) divided by θ. The consensus is to integrate the power series term by term without the need for subdividing the interval into sections, simplifying the process significantly.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of series expansions in calculus
  • Familiarity with the Sine Integral function, Si(x)
  • Knowledge of power series and term-by-term integration
  • Basic proficiency in mathematical notation and integration techniques
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties and applications of the Sine Integral function, Si(x)
  • Learn about term-by-term integration of power series
  • Explore the derivation of series expansions for other trigonometric functions
  • Investigate numerical methods for approximating integrals of functions like sin(θ)/θ
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, students studying calculus, and anyone interested in series expansions and integral calculus will benefit from this discussion.

yungman
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This is not really a homework, I am trying to expand Si(x) into a series.The series expansion of Si(x) is given in articles:
Si(x)=\int_0^x \frac{\sin\theta}{\theta}d\theta=\sum_0^{\infty}\frac {(-1)^k x^{2k+1}}{(2k+1)(2k+1)!}

This is my work, I just cannot get the right answer:
Si(x)=\int_0^x \frac{\sin\theta}{\theta}d\theta=\sum_0^m \frac{sin \theta_i}{\theta_i}\Delta\theta_i

\sin \theta=\sum_0^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^k \theta^{2k+1}}{(2k+1)!}\Rightarrow\;\frac{\sin\theta}{\theta}=\sum_0^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^k \theta^{2k}}{(2k+1)!}

\Delta \theta_i = \frac x m\;\hbox{ and }\; \theta_i= i\Delta \theta_i =i\frac x m

\Rightarrow\;Si(x)=\int_0^x \frac{\sin\theta}{\theta}d\theta=\sum_0^m \frac{sin \theta_i}{\theta_i}\Delta\theta_i\;=\;\sum_0^m\sum_0^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^k\left (i\frac x m\right )^{2k}}{(2k+1)!}\frac x m\;=\;\sum_0^m\sum_0^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^ki^{2k} x^{2k+1}}{m^{2k+1}(2k+1)!}

I don't know how to get the answer, please help.
 
Last edited:
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yungman said:
This is not really a homework, I am trying to expand Si(x) into a series.The series expansion of Si(x) is given in articles:
Si(x)=\int_0^x \frac{\sin\theta}{\theta}d\theta=\sum_0^{\infty}\frac {(-1)^k x^{2k+1}}{(2k+1)(2k+1)!}

This is my work, I just cannot get the right answer:
Si(x)=\int_0^x \frac{\sin\theta}{\theta}d\theta=\sum_0^m \frac{sin \theta_i}{\theta_i}\Delta\theta

\sin \theta=\sum_0^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^k \theta^{2k+1}}{(2k+1)!}\Rightarrow\;\frac{\sin\theta}{\theta}=\sum_0^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^k \theta^{2k}}{(2k+1)!}

\Delta \theta_i = \frac x m\;\hbox{ and }\; \theta_i= i\Delta \theta_i =i\frac x m

\Rightarrow\;Si(x)=\int_0^x \frac{\sin\theta}{\theta}d\theta=\sum_0^m \frac{sin \theta_i}{\theta_i}\Delta\theta_i\;=\;\sum_0^m\sum_0^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^k\left (i\frac x m\right )^{2k}}{(2k+1)!}\frac x m\;=\;\sum_0^m\sum_0^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^ki^{2k} x^{2k+1}}{m^{2k+1}(2k+1)!}

I don't know how to get the answer, please help.

I have no idea what all the delta thetas are all about. You don't need to derive the formula for integrating a power. You have a series for ##\sin(\theta)##, divide it by ##\theta## and integrate term by term.
 
Dick said:
I have no idea what all the delta thetas are all about. You don't need to derive the formula for integrating a power. You have a series for ##\sin(\theta)##, divide it by ##\theta## and integrate term by term.

I missed the subscript i, ##\Delta\theta_i## is just the series representation of ##d\theta##. Where I chop the 0<##\theta##<x into m sections.

I want to verify and derive the equation given from articles.
 
Last edited:
yungman said:
##\Delta\theta## is just the series representation of ##d\theta##. Where I chop the 0<##\theta##<x into m sections.

I want to verify and derive the equation given from articles.

You don't have to chop into sections. Just integrate the power series term by term!
 
Dick said:
You don't have to chop into sections. Just integrate the power series term by term!

I got it! It's just that easy! Thanks.
 

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