Simple problems that Wolfram can't do

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Wolfram Alpha struggles with certain integral problems, such as the integral of e^{-x^p} from 0 to infinity, which users found it could not solve initially. Some users reported that resubmitting the query yielded correct results, suggesting possible resource limitations in the free version. Discussions highlighted that Wolfram Alpha may not handle contour integration well and users expressed frustration over its perceived decline in capability compared to past experiences. Alternative tools like integral-calculator.com were recommended for more reliable results. Overall, users are exploring workarounds and alternatives due to Wolfram Alpha's limitations.
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Hi everyone, I thought I would share a thought - apparently simple problems that Wolfram can't seem to handle. I'll go first:
$$ \int_{0}^{\infty}e^{-x^p}dx=\frac{1}{p}\Gamma\left( \frac{1}{p} \right) $$
Entering this into Wolfram alpha:
Integrate[Exp[-x^p],{x,0,\infty}]
Gets you nowhere. Ha!
Please share your own frustrations also. Thanks!
 
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But Wolfram Mathematica has no problem:
1746389059318.webp

I guess Alpha is a stripped-down Mathematica Lite!
 
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renormalize said:
But Wolfram Mathematica has no problem:
View attachment 360674
I guess Alpha is a stripped-down Mathematica Lite!
Well that's weird.
 
https://www.integral-calculator.com/ works.

Happily brought to you by our useful list of calculators:

1746390294240.webp
 
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Cool!
 
Steve Zissou said:
Hi everyone, I thought I would share a thought - apparently simple problems that Wolfram can't seem to handle. I'll go first:
$$ \int_{0}^{\infty}e^{-x^p}dx=\frac{1}{p}\Gamma\left( \frac{1}{p} \right) $$
Entering this into Wolfram alpha:
Integrate[Exp[-x^p],{x,0,\infty}]
Gets you nowhere. Ha!
Please share your own frustrations also. Thanks!
I got Wolfram Alpha to give me the correct answer by submitting the problem again right after it failed the first time. I think you're just running into resource limits of the free version.
 
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FWIW ChatGPT got it

1746474166364.webp
 
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vela said:
I got Wolfram Alpha to give me the correct answer by submitting the problem again right after it failed the first time. I think you're just running into resource limits of the free version.
@vela Whoa that's unexpected. So it will do it, but there is some resource limits that I was unaware of?
 
BWV said:
FWIW ChatGPT got it

View attachment 360706
@BWV Ok that's unexpected. I've had AI give some wacky math answers so I haven't tried using that tech for a while for math.
 
  • #10
WolframAlpha cannot do simple contour integration. Can it?
 
  • #11
pines-demon said:
WolframAlpha cannot do simple contour integration. Can it?
I'm not sure how to tell WolframAlpha if certain variables are complex, real, or any sort of bounds on parameters.
 
  • #12
pines-demon said:
WolframAlpha cannot do simple contour integration. Can it?

You would have to tell it what the contour is; I'm not sure the UI is up to that.
 
  • #13
Ok I kid you not on this one:
Integrate[t^(z-1)*Exp[-t],{t,0,\infty}]
Yields the answer:

Try the following:​

  • Use different phrasing or notations
  • Enter whole words instead of abbreviations
  • Avoid mixing mathematical and other notations
  • Check your spelling
  • Give your input in English
 
  • #14
I remember wolframalpha as more capable in the past (at least for the no-account, no pay version which I used). Sadly, it appears not to be the case anymore. So we switch to https://www.integral-calculator.com/. For good.
 
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