The integral of the taylor expansion of any expression

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of the Taylor expansion of the exponential function \( e^x \) and the determination of the constant of integration. Participants explore whether the constant can be assumed to be 1 and if this approach applies to other functions, such as \( \sin(x) \).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that integrating the Taylor expansion of \( e^x \) leads to a constant \( c \) that should equal 1 for the integral to return to \( e^x \).
  • Another participant clarifies that the integral of \( e^x \) is understood to include an arbitrary constant, implying that \( c \) can be any number.
  • A participant questions whether setting \( x = 0 \) is a valid method to determine the constant and whether this method applies to all expressions, specifically mentioning \( \sin(x) \).
  • One participant emphasizes that the constant of integration is not necessarily 1 unless additional information is provided, reinforcing that the integral of any function is determined only up to an additive constant.
  • There is a disagreement regarding the phrasing of the integral of \( e^x \), with one participant arguing that it should explicitly include the constant \( C \) rather than being implied.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether the constant of integration can be assumed to be 1 without additional context. Multiple competing views remain regarding the treatment of the constant in integrals and the application of this reasoning to other functions.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the importance of explicitly stating the constant of integration and the conditions under which it can be determined. There is also an acknowledgment of the limitations of applying this reasoning to different functions.

quietrain
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ok .lets say the expression we have is ex

the taylor expansion becomes 1+x+x2/2+...

integrating becomes x+x2/2+x3/6+...+c

so how do we know that c = 1? for it to become back to ex

becos it is said that integral of ex = ex

do we just let x be 0 to find c = 1? does it work for all expressions?

thanks a lot!
 
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hi quietrain! :smile:
quietrain said:
becos it is said that integral of ex = ex

yeees … but when we say "this is the integral of that", it's always understood that one mentally adds the words "plus a constant" :wink:
 
hi tim, so how do we know that the constant is 1?

is it just by letting x = 0?

does it work for all expressions? because i was told it won't work for sinx
 
We don't! I have no idea where you got the impression that the constant of integration had to be 1- it doesn't unless you are given some additional information about the integral. Again, the (indefinite) integral or "anti-derivative" of any function is determined only up to an additive constant.

[tex]\int e^x dx= e^x+ C[/tex].
In terms of the Taylor series
[tex]\int (1+ x+ x^2/2+ x^3/6+ \cdot\cdot\cdot)dx= C+ x+ x^2/2+ x^3/6+ \cdot\cdot\cdot[/tex]
where C can be any number.

Since you know that [itex]e^x= 1+ x+ x^2/2+ x^3/6+ \cdot\cdot\cdot[/itex] for that to "come back to [itex]e^x[/itex]", obviously, C would have to be 1 but, again, [itex]\int e^x dx= e^x+ C[/itex], not just [itex]e^x[/itex].

And, yes, integration of a power series, term by term, inside its radius of convergence (which for [itex]e^x[/itex], sin(x), cos(x), etc. is "all x") always works.

(I would disagree with tiny time that "one mentally adds the words "plus a constant". One should add it explicitely! "It is said that the integral of [itex]e^x[/itex] is [itex]e^x[/itex]" is simply wrong." What is said, or should be said, is "the integral of [itex]e^x[/itex] is [itex]e^x+ C[/itex] where C can be any number.")
 
Last edited by a moderator:
HallsofIvy said:
We don't! I have no idea where you got the impression that the constant of integration had to be 1- it doesn't unless you are given some additional information about the integral. Again, the (indefinite) integral or "anti-derivative" of any function is determined only up to an additive constant.

[tex]\int e^x dx= e^x+ C[/tex].
In terms of the Taylor series
[tex]\int (1+ x+ x^2/2+ x^3/6+ \cdot\cdot\cdot)dx= C+ x+ x^2/2+ x^3/6+ \cdot\cdot\cdot[/tex]
where C can be any number.

Since you know that [itex]e^x= 1+ x+ x^2/2+ x^3/6+ \cdot\cdot\cdot[/itex] for that to "come back to [itex]e^x[/itex]", obviously, C would have to be 1 but, again, [itex]\int e^x dx= e^x+ C[/itex], not just [itex]e^x[/itex].

And, yes, integration of a power series, term by term, inside its radius of convergence (which for [itex]e^x[/itex], sin(x), cos(x), etc. is "all x") always works.

(I would disagree with tiny time that "one mentally adds the words "plus a constant". One should add it explicitely! "It is said that the integral of [itex]e^x[/itex] is [itex]e^x[/itex]" is simply wrong." What is said, or should be said, is "the integral of [itex]e^x[/itex] is [itex]e^x+ C[/itex] where C can be any number.")

ah i see thanks a lot!
 

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