Transcendental Functions Containing Natural Logs

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating integrals involving natural logarithms, specifically focusing on the integration techniques and properties of logarithmic functions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of substitution, particularly with the variable u representing ln(x). There are attempts to clarify the relationship between derivatives and integrals involving logarithmic functions. Some participants express confusion regarding the properties of logarithms and the setup of the integrals.

Discussion Status

There is an active exchange of ideas, with participants providing clarifications and corrections to each other's misunderstandings. Some guidance has been offered regarding the correct interpretation of the integrals and the use of substitution, but no consensus has been reached on the specific solutions.

Contextual Notes

Participants note errors in the original problem setup and express concerns about understanding the properties of logarithms in relation to the integrals. There is an acknowledgment of potential burnout affecting the clarity of the discussion.

WhiskeyHammer
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Homework Statement


Evaluate the integrals

a) y=
eqn40561.png

b) y=
eqn4056.png


Homework Equations



Untitled-1.png


The Attempt at a Solution



I've tried using the Reciprocal Rule and substitution of each ln function with u to get a workable result, but haven't come anywhere near a recognizable solution. The answers stated in the book are as follows:
a) 1/ln4
b) (ln2)^2

[STRIKE]This tells me that, somehow a must end up looking like this:
ln 1 - ln 4
and b must look like:
ln2 * ln2[/STRIKE]

These would seem counter intuitive to my understanding of how these kinds of problems are solved and I am at a loss of how to fix it.
 
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You want the anti-derivative (definite integral), not the derivative, and there is no ##y## in either problem. In both problems try the substitution ##u=\ln x##.
 
WhiskeyHammer said:
The answers stated in the book are as follows:
a) 1/ln4


This tells me that, somehow a must end up looking like this:
ln 1 - ln 4
1/ln(4) ≠ ln(1) - ln(4), so it would be good for you to review the properties of logs.

The expression on the right can be simplified like so:

ln(1) - ln(4) = 0 - ln(4) = ln(1/4)

Note the ln(1/4) is a negative number, while 1/ln(4) is positive, so they couldn't possibly be equal.
 
LCKurtz said:
You want the anti-derivative (definite integral), not the derivative, and there is no ##y## in either problem. In both problems try the substitution ##u=\ln x##.

I see the intent in setting up the integral as ##u*du## and anti-deriving to ##2u## but I don't see how ##du## could possibly equal ##1/x*dx## the derivative of ##\ln x## is ##(1/x)(d/dx*x)## which leaves us with ##u*du*dx## right?

I also updated the errors in my original post. Thanks for catching them, I am definitely on the tail end of burned out.
 
WhiskeyHammer said:
I see the intent in setting up the integral as ##u*du## and anti-deriving to ##2u## but I don't see how ##du## could possibly equal ##1/x*dx## the derivative of ##\ln x## is ##(1/x)(d/dx*x)## which leaves us with ##u*du*dx## right?
No. If u = lnx, then du = d(lnx) = d/dx(lnx)*dx = 1/x * dx
WhiskeyHammer said:
I also updated the errors in my original post. Thanks for catching them, I am definitely on the tail end of burned out.
 
WhiskeyHammer said:
I see the intent in setting up the integral as ##u*du## and anti-deriving to ##2u## but
Ouch! The anti-derivative of u is (1/2)u^2+ C

I don't see how ##du## could possibly equal ##1/x*dx## the derivative of ##\ln x## is ##(1/x)(d/dx*x)## which leaves us with ##u*du*dx## right?

I also updated the errors in my original post. Thanks for catching them, I am definitely on the tail end of burned out.

Your original integral was
\int \frac{dx}{x ln(x)}
(the second "dx" must be a typo.)

If you let u= ln(x) then du= \frac{1}{x}dx= \frac{dx}{x} so the integral becomes
\int\frac{dx}{x ln(x)}= \int \frac{1}{ln(x)}\frac{dx}{x}= \int \frac{1}{u}du

"the derivative of ##\ln x## is ##(1/x)(d/dx*x)## "
I can't make sense of that! The derivative of ln(x) is 1/x. Perhaps you mean (1/x) times the derivative of x with respect to x. That last would be 1 so that is the same as 1/x. Having written du/dx= 1/x, in differential terms, du= (1/x)dx.
 
Thanks guys, despite the errors on my part, you suggestions and clarifications were awesome and I got it worked out :biggrin:
 

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