Solving integral with substitution

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the integral from 0 to ln2 of the function (e^x-1)/(e^x+1). Participants are exploring various methods of substitution and simplification in the context of integral calculus.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss multiplying the numerator and denominator by e^-x and question the appropriateness of this substitution. There are attempts to simplify the expression and explore splitting the integral into two parts. Some participants suggest using long division and different substitutions, while others express confusion about the steps taken and the rules of logarithms.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with several participants offering different strategies and questioning each other's reasoning. Some guidance has been provided regarding the use of logarithmic properties and potential substitutions, but there is no clear consensus on the best approach yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that certain functions, such as sinh and cosh, were not covered in their course, which may affect their ability to apply some suggested methods.

Shannabel
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Homework Statement


find the integral from 0 to ln2 of (e^x-1)/(e^x+1)


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I really didn't know what to do, but the book had a hint suggesting i multiply the numerator and denominator by e^-x and then use an appropriate substitution..
[((e^x)-1)*(e^-x)]/[((e^x)+1)*(e^-x)]
= (1-(e^-x))/(1+(e^-x))
= (1-(e^x))/(1+(e^x))
but now i can't think of an appropriate substitution. help?
 
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How did you get from:
\frac{1-e^{-x}}{1+e^{-x}}
To:
\frac{1-e^{x}}{1+e^{x}}
 
c.dube said:
How did you get from:
\frac{1-e^{-x}}{1+e^{-x}}
To:
\frac{1-e^{x}}{1+e^{x}}

apparently i just made up my own rules of calculus.. you're right, i can't do that.
so I'm just at
[1-e^(-x)]/[1+e^(-x)]
 
Hahah I don't know how your book wants you to do it but try splitting it into two integrals.
 
c.dube said:
Hahah I don't know how your book wants you to do it but try splitting it into two integrals.

how can i split that?
 
Into two fractions - you have addition on top - and then attack them both separately.
 
The first thing I would do is divide:
\frac{e^x- 1}{e^x+ 1}= 1- \frac{2}{e^x+ 1}

Then, for the second integral, let u= e^x+ 1
 
HallsofIvy said:
The first thing I would do is divide:
\frac{e^x- 1}{e^x+ 1}= 1- \frac{2}{e^x+ 1}

Then, for the second integral, let u= e^x+ 1

lol... what did you divide by to get that?
and also, if i use u=e^x, then i get du=e^xdx, and i don't have anything to cancel the extra e^x with..?
 
I'm not sure what multiplying top & bottom by e^-x does for you, but if you multiply top & bottom by e^(-x/2), you'll probably recognize it as the hyperbolic tangent of x/2.
 
  • #10
Shannabel said:
lol... what did you divide by to get that?
and also, if i use u=e^x, then i get du=e^xdx, and i don't have anything to cancel the extra e^x with..?

You can use long division to divide them, similar to normal division of numbers. Or you can write it as \frac{e^x - 1}{e^x + 1} = \frac{e^x + 1 - 2}{e^x + 1} = \frac{e^x + 1}{e^x + 1} - \frac{2}{e^x + 1} = 1 - \frac{2}{e^x + 1}
If you want to follow Hall's suggestion, you should multiply the fraction by e-x/e-x and then use a different substitution.

I would follow c.dube's suggestion by splitting the fraction in two \frac{e^x - 1}{e^x + 1} = \frac{e^x}{e^x + 1} - \frac{1}{e^x + 1}The first one has an easy substitution, but you'll want to multiply the second by e-x/e-x before using a substitution.
 
  • #11
Bohrok said:
You can use long division to divide them, similar to normal division of numbers. Or you can write it as \frac{e^x - 1}{e^x + 1} = \frac{e^x + 1 - 2}{e^x + 1} = \frac{e^x + 1}{e^x + 1} - \frac{2}{e^x + 1} = 1 - \frac{2}{e^x + 1}
If you want to follow Hall's suggestion, you should multiply the fraction by e-x/e-x and then use a different substitution.

I would follow c.dube's suggestion by splitting the fraction in two \frac{e^x - 1}{e^x + 1} = \frac{e^x}{e^x + 1} - \frac{1}{e^x + 1}The first one has an easy substitution, but you'll want to multiply the second by e-x/e-x before using a substitution.

ookay so i ended up with
ln(e^(x)+1)+ln(e^(-x)+1)... is that right?
 
  • #12
Bohrok said:
You can use long division to divide them, similar to normal division of numbers. Or you can write it as \frac{e^x - 1}{e^x + 1} = \frac{e^x + 1 - 2}{e^x + 1} = \frac{e^x + 1}{e^x + 1} - \frac{2}{e^x + 1} = 1 - \frac{2}{e^x + 1}
If you want to follow Hall's suggestion, you should multiply the fraction by e-x/e-x and then use a different substitution.

I would follow c.dube's suggestion by splitting the fraction in two \frac{e^x - 1}{e^x + 1} = \frac{e^x}{e^x + 1} - \frac{1}{e^x + 1}The first one has an easy substitution, but you'll want to multiply the second by e-x/e-x before using a substitution.

ookay so i ended up with
ln(e^(x)+1)+ln(e^(-x)+1) between 0 and ln2
= ln((e^x+1)/(e^-x)+1)) between 0 and ln2
= ln ((e^ln2+1)/(e^-ln2+1))-ln((e^0+1)/e^0+1))
= ln(3/-1)-ln(1)
= ln(-3)

.. which is very wrong, obviously.
where did i go wrong?
 
  • #13
The two logs are being added, so you need to multiply their arguments and not divide them.
 
  • #14
Bohrok said:
The two logs are being added, so you need to multiply their arguments and not divide them.

ahhh! of course!
so now i get

ln((e^x+1)*(e^-x+1))
= [ln((e^ln2+1)*(e^-ln2+1))]-[ln(e^0+1)*(e^0+1)]
= ln(-3)-ln(4)
= ln(-3/4)

closer? but still not right...?
 
  • #15
e^-ln2 ≠ -2
Make sure you use the rules of logs and exponents correctly when you simplify.
 
  • #16
Look at the part e^{-\ln2} and how you could re-express that. Then run with it.
EDIT: Haha as Bohrok said.
 
  • #17
Bohrok said:
e^-ln2 ≠ -2
Make sure you use the rules of logs and exponents correctly when you simplify.

e^-ln2= (1/2)??
 
  • #18
Yes! :smile:
 
  • #19
bohrok said:
yes! :smile:

got it! :):)
 
Last edited:
  • #20
You guys are making this much too difficult! Note that the integrand is tanh(x/2) which is in turn sinh(x/2)/cosh(x/2). Substitute u = sinh(x/2) and recall that the derivative of sinh is cosh. The integrand then becomes 1/u, which integrates to ln(u). Resolve the substitution and voila.
 
  • #21
obafgkmrns said:
You guys are making this much too difficult! Note that the integrand is tanh(x/2) which is in turn sinh(x/2)/cosh(x/2). Substitute u = sinh(x/2) and recall that the derivative of sinh is cosh. The integrand then becomes 1/u, which integrates to ln(u). Resolve the substitution and voila.

my prof left the part of the course with function like sinh and cosh out of the course this year.
 

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