Solving Integral with e: Tips and Tricks

  • Thread starter Thread starter phantomcow2
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Integral
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral \(\int\frac{e^{z}}{1+e^{2z}}dz\), which falls under the subject area of calculus, specifically integration techniques involving exponential functions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore different substitution methods, particularly considering \(u = e^z\) and \(u = 1 + e^{2z}\). There are discussions about how these substitutions affect the integral and the resulting forms. Questions arise regarding the connection to trigonometric functions and the understanding of inverse trig functions.

Discussion Status

Participants have provided hints and suggestions for substitutions, with some expressing uncertainty about the connection to trigonometric functions. There is an acknowledgment of the integral's relationship to the arctangent function, but no consensus on the final interpretation or solution has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention their varying backgrounds in calculus, indicating that certain concepts may not have been covered in their previous courses, which could affect their understanding of the problem.

phantomcow2
Messages
52
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



[tex]\int[/tex][tex]\frac{e^{z}}{1+e^{2z}}[/tex]

This is clearly a u substitution problem. My instinct is to let u = [tex]{1+e^{2z}[/tex]
so du = 2e^[tex]{2z}[/tex]dz :confused:

Now what? I don't see how this can be substituted into the original integral.

I could let u = e^z, but then that leaves e^2z. Clearly du in this case be e^zdz, but that also doesn't substitute in. e^2z = e^z * e^z. Could this be part of the solution? If somebody could provide some hint to get me going, I'd be grateful.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I like u=e^z better. That turns e^(2z) into u^2. Yes, that is part of the solution.
 
I agree. Try u=exp(z). du=exp(z) dz. Then you should get a very familiar integral. (The solution will be a trig function)
 
Okay, so if I use e^z = u and du = e^zdz, I am left with

u/(1+u^2)dz

This is for my calc 2 class. I have no idea how a trig function would tie into this though :(
 
phantomcow2 said:
Okay, so if I use e^z = u and du = e^zdz, I am left with

u/(1+u^2)dz

This is for my calc 2 class. I have no idea how a trig function would tie into this though :(

[tex]\int \frac{e^z}{1+e^{2z}}dz[/tex]

so yes, with u=ez => du=ez dz

so you will be left with

[tex]\int \frac{1}{1+u^2} du[/tex]

NOT

[tex]\int \frac{u}{1+u^2}du[/tex]

can you integrate 1/(1+u2) du?
 
Ah, you're right.

I took calculus 1 at my college, but I am taking calculus 2 at a different school. If I understand what an integral is, then we are seeking a function whose derivative IS 1/1+x^2. My calc 1 class never covered this, but I am beginning to suspect the calc 1 at this new college did: inverse trig functions. A peek in the back of my textbook indicates that 1/1+x^2 is the derivative of the arctan function. Is that it?

So I'm simply looking at arctan (e^z)?
 
I appreciate all of your help, by the way. I hope I don't come across as helpless or not wanting to do the work. I've gotten through most of this assignment but may have encountered something I haven't seen before.
 
phantomcow2 said:
Ah, you're right.

I took calculus 1 at my college, but I am taking calculus 2 at a different school. If I understand what an integral is, then we are seeking a function whose derivative IS 1/1+x^2. My calc 1 class never covered this, but I am beginning to suspect the calc 1 at this new college did: inverse trig functions. A peek in the back of my textbook indicates that 1/1+x^2 is the derivative of the arctan function. Is that it?

So I'm simply looking at arctan (e^z)?

well yes...but arctan(ez)+C (never forget the constant of integration)
 
rock.freak667 said:
+C (never forget the constant of integration)

Costs me 1 point every time
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K