Solving Indefinite Integral: $\displaystyle\int\frac{dy}{1+e^y}$

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the indefinite integral $\displaystyle\int\frac{dy}{1+e^y}$. Participants explore various methods of integration, including substitution and manipulation of the integrand. The conversation includes both theoretical approaches and practical examples.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests dividing the numerator and denominator by $e^y$ to simplify the integral.
  • Another participant proposes multiplying the integrand by $e^y$ to facilitate substitution, arguing that the presence of $e^y$ suggests it should be a factor in the integration process.
  • A participant describes their own method involving substitution and partial fraction decomposition, leading to a different form of the integral's solution.
  • There is a discussion about the equivalence of different forms of the logarithmic result, with participants noting that properties of logarithms can transform one expression into another.
  • One participant expresses confusion over a sign discrepancy in their answer compared to another participant's result, prompting further clarification on the manipulation of logarithmic expressions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a single method for solving the integral, as multiple approaches are presented and debated. There is also some confusion regarding the equivalence of different forms of the final answer, indicating a lack of agreement on the interpretation of logarithmic properties.

Contextual Notes

Some participants' methods involve assumptions about the manipulation of integrands and the properties of logarithms, which may not be universally accepted or understood. The discussion reflects varying levels of familiarity with integration techniques and algebraic manipulation.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and practitioners interested in integration techniques, particularly those exploring indefinite integrals involving exponential functions and logarithmic properties.

paulmdrdo1
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how would start solving this

$\displaystyle\int\frac{dy}{1+e^y}$
 
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Hello, paulmdrdo!

\displaystyle \int\frac{dy}{1+e^y}
Divide numerator and denominator by e^y.

We have: .\displaystyle \int \frac{e^{-y}dy}{e^{-y}+1}

Let u \,=\,e^{-y}+1 \quad\Rightarrow\quad du \,=\,\text{-}e^{-y}dy \quad\Rightarrow\quad e^{-y}dy \,=\,\text{-}du

Substitute: .\displaystyle \int \frac{-du}{u} \:=\:-\int\frac{du}{u} \:=\:-\ln|u|+C

Back-substitute: .-\ln(e^{-y}+1) + C
 
how did you know that you have to divide the numerator and denominator by e^y?

what if we have

$\displaystyle\int\frac{e^2x}{1+e^x}dx$
 
Last edited:
paulmdrdo said:
how would start solving this

$\displaystyle\int\frac{dy}{1+e^y}$

Alternatively, MULTIPLY top and bottom by \displaystyle \begin{align*} e^y \end{align*}, giving

\displaystyle \begin{align*} \int{ \frac{e^y\,dy}{e^y + \left( e^y \right) ^2}} \end{align*}

which gives a form that a very simple substitution of \displaystyle \begin{align*} u = e^y \implies du = e^y\,dy \end{align*} should be able to handle.

How did we know to do this? Well, since there's an \displaystyle \begin{align*}e^y \end{align*} function, and we know that it's its own derivative, that means if we were to make any substitution using it, it also needs to appear as a factor, as when we do an integration by substitution, the derivative of the function we are substituting needs to be a factor of the entire function being integrated.

- - - Updated - - -

paulmdrdo said:
how did you know that you have to divide the numerator and denominator by e^y?

what if we have

$\displaystyle\int\frac{e^2x}{1+e^x}dx$

Am I correct in assuming that you meant \displaystyle \begin{align*} \int{ \frac{e^{2x}}{1 + e^x}\,dx} \end{align*}?
 
Prove It said:
Alternatively, MULTIPLY top and bottom by \displaystyle \begin{align*} e^y \end{align*}, giving

\displaystyle \begin{align*} \int{ \frac{e^y\,dy}{e^y + \left( e^y \right) ^2}} \end{align*}

which gives a form that a very simple substitution of \displaystyle \begin{align*} u = e^y \implies du = e^y\,dy \end{align*} should be able to handle.

How did we know to do this? Well, since there's an \displaystyle \begin{align*}e^y \end{align*} function, and we know that it's its own derivative, that means if we were to make any substitution using it, it also needs to appear as a factor, as when we do an integration by substitution, the derivative of the function we are substituting needs to be a factor of the entire function being integrated.

- - - Updated - - -
Am I correct in assuming that you meant \displaystyle \begin{align*} \int{ \frac{e^{2x}}{1 + e^x}\,dx} \end{align*}?

yes.sorry for typo error!
 
paulmdrdo said:
yes.sorry for typo error!

Here you don't need to do any manipulation to the integral at all, notice that

\displaystyle \begin{align*} \int{ \frac{e^{2x}}{1 + e^x} \,dx} &= \int{ \frac{ \left( e^x \right) ^2}{1 + e^x} \, dx} \\ &= \int{ \frac{ e^x }{1 + e^x} \cdot e^x\,dx } \end{align*}

A substitution \displaystyle \begin{align*} u = 1 + e^x \end{align*} is appropriate because the derivative \displaystyle \begin{align*} du = e^x\, dx \end{align*} is already a factor...
 

i tried to solve the problem in my 1st op using prove it's method

here is what i do

$\displaystyle\int\frac{dy}{1+e^y}$ i multiplied the integrand by e^y i get $\displaystyle\int\frac{e^y}{e^y+e^{2y}}dy$

now using substitution $ u=e^y;\,du=e^ydy$ i get $\displaystyle\int\frac{du}{u(u+1)}$

doing fraction decomposition i have

$\displaystyle\frac{1}{u(u+1)}=\frac{A}{u}+\frac{B}{u+1}$

multiplying both sides by $u(u+1)$ i get

$\displaystyle 1=A(u+1)+B(u)$

the values of A and B are A= 1 ;B=-1

then i have

$\displaystyle\int\left(\frac{1}{u}-\frac{1}{u+1}\right)du$

integrating the terms of my integrand i get

$\displaystyle ln|u|-ln|u+1|+C$

back substitute $ln|e^y|-ln|e^y+1|+C$

using properties of ln in my answer i get

$\displaystyle ln\left(\frac{e^y}{e^y+1}\right)+C$

but my answer here iS not the same using soroban's method. can you pin point my mistake here. thanks!

and i noticed that if i rearrange my answer and factor out the negative i would get the right answer like,

$\displaystyle (-ln|e^y+1|+ln|e^y|)=-(ln|e^y+1|-ln|e^y|)=-ln|\frac{e^y+1}{e^y}|=-ln|e^{-y}+1|$

why do you think i got different answers? thanks!
 
Last edited:
Using the properties of logs, we may transform the form given by soroban into that which you found:

$$-\ln\left(e^{-y}+1 \right)+C=-\ln\left(\frac{e^y+1}{e^y} \right)+C=\ln\left(\frac{e^y}{e^y+1} \right)+C$$
 
MarkFL said:
Using the properties of logs, we may transform the form given by soroban into that which you found:

$$-\ln\left(e^{-y}+1 \right)+C=-\ln\left(\frac{e^y+1}{e^y} \right)+C=-\ln\left(\frac{e^y}{e^y+1} \right)+C$$

mark my answer is positive $\displaystyle ln\left(\frac{e^y}{e^y+1}\right)+C$ not $\displaystyle -ln\left(\frac{e^y}{e^y+1}\right)+C$ why is that?
 
  • #10
paulmdrdo said:
mark my answer is positive $\displaystyle ln\left(\frac{e^y}{e^y+1}\right)+C$ not $\displaystyle -ln\left(\frac{e^y}{e^y+1}\right)+C$ why is that?

I have edited my post above...I should have removed the negative sign when I inverted the argument of the log function...
 
  • #11
MANY THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!(Sun)(Clapping):)
 

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