Should be simple polynomial integral

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a polynomial integral derived from a triple integration problem. The integral in question is evaluated from 0 to 5 and involves a cubic polynomial. The original poster expresses confusion over discrepancies between their calculated result and the expected answer.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to compute the definite integral of a polynomial but encounters a significant difference between their result and the expected value. They question their arithmetic and integration steps, particularly focusing on the second term of the indefinite integral.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered insights regarding potential errors in the original poster's calculations, specifically pointing out a mistake in the integration of the second term. The conversation reflects a collaborative effort to identify the source of the discrepancy without reaching a definitive conclusion.

Contextual Notes

The original poster references external validation from Wolfram Alpha, which confirms the expected result of the integral. They express uncertainty about their calculations and the implications of the constant term in the context of a definite integral.

DaleSwanson
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This is the end of a triple integration problem. I can get down to what seems like it should be a simple polynomial integral of a single variable. Yet I just can't get the numbers to work out.

\int_0^5 \frac{-1}{2}x^3 + \frac{15}{2} x^2 - \frac{75}{2} x + \frac{125}{2} dx

The indefinite integral should be:
\frac{-1}{8}x^4 + \frac{5}{3} x^3 - \frac{75}{4} x^2 \frac{125}{2} x + C

At 0 that should equal 0, so we only need to worry about its value at 5, which should be:
\frac{-625}{8} + \frac{625}{3} - \frac{1875}{4} + \frac{625}{2} = \frac{-625}{24}

However, the correct answer should be 625/8. My answer is off by a factor of -6.

I'd assume I had made a mistake getting to this point, but Wolfram Alpha confirms that the definite integral above is equal to 625/8.
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=integral+from+0+to+5+of+125%2F2-%2875+x%29%2F2%2B%2815+x^2%29%2F2-x^3%2F2

Having WA do the indefinite integral gives my result, but also gives a form with -625/8 + C, which I assume can be ignored since it's a definite integral. Either way, including the -625/8 doesn't seem to help.
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=integral++of+125%2F2-%2875+x%29%2F2%2B%2815+x^2%29%2F2-x^3%2F2

So I'm pretty lost right now as to what could be going wrong. It's possible that I'm making a simple arithmetic mistake, as I'm pretty good at doing that, but I've checked and rechecked and just keep getting -625/24.

Can anyone see my problem?
 
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The problem is with your second term, It should be 15/6 = 5/2, not 5/3. I didn't check if that solves the problem though.
 
Wow, I must have integrated that 4 times and came up with 5/3 each time. WA even shows the correct answer. Don't know how I missed it repeatedly.

Thanks.
 
DaleSwanson said:
This is the end of a triple integration problem. I can get down to what seems like it should be a simple polynomial integral of a single variable. Yet I just can't get the numbers to work out.

\int_0^5 \frac{-1}{2}x^3 + \frac{15}{2} x^2 - \frac{75}{2} x + \frac{125}{2} dx

The indefinite integral should be:
\frac{-1}{8}x^4 + \frac{5}{3} x^3 - \frac{75}{4} x^2 \frac{125}{2} x + C

At 0 that should equal 0, so we only need to worry about its value at 5, which should be:
\frac{-625}{8} + \frac{625}{3} - \frac{1875}{4} + \frac{625}{2} = \frac{-625}{24}

However, the correct answer should be 625/8. My answer is off by a factor of -6.

I'd assume I had made a mistake getting to this point, but Wolfram Alpha confirms that the definite integral above is equal to 625/8.
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=integral+from+0+to+5+of+125%2F2-%2875+x%29%2F2%2B%2815+x^2%29%2F2-x^3%2F2

Having WA do the indefinite integral gives my result, but also gives a form with -625/8 + C, which I assume can be ignored since it's a definite integral. Either way, including the -625/8 doesn't seem to help.
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=integral++of+125%2F2-%2875+x%29%2F2%2B%2815+x^2%29%2F2-x^3%2F2

So I'm pretty lost right now as to what could be going wrong. It's possible that I'm making a simple arithmetic mistake, as I'm pretty good at doing that, but I've checked and rechecked and just keep getting -625/24.

Can anyone see my problem?

You wrote \int \frac{15}{2} x^2 \, dx = \frac{15}{3} x^3 \:\Longleftarrow \text{False}.

RGV
 

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