Tricky integral inequality question

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves proving an inequality related to a double integral of the function \(\frac{1}{y^{2}+x+1}\) over a specified region \(B\) defined by \(0 \leq x \leq y \leq 1\) within the larger region \(R = [0,1] \times [0,1]\). Participants are exploring the implications of the characteristic function \(\chi_{B}\) and how it affects the integral's evaluation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various methods for evaluating the integral, including brute force integration and the potential for shortcut methods. There is uncertainty about whether the approach of integrating directly is appropriate.
  • Some participants question the validity of the inequality when considering points outside the defined region \(B\), leading to confusion about the implications of integrating over the entire region \(R\).
  • There is a suggestion to find the maximum and minimum values of the integrand within the region \(B\) to establish bounds for the integral.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing insights and raising questions about the setup and assumptions of the problem. Some guidance has been provided regarding focusing on the region \(B\) and the characteristics of the function being integrated, but no consensus has been reached on the overall approach or solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the characteristic function \(\chi_{B}\) simplifies the integral to zero outside the region \(B\), leading to questions about the relevance of points where \(x \geq y\). There is a recognition that the region \(B\) is triangular, which may affect the interpretation of the integral's bounds.

spanishmaths
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Homework Statement


Prove the following inequality:

\frac{1}{6}\leq\int_{R}\frac{1}{y^{2}+x+1}\chi_{B}(x,y)dxdy\leq\frac{1}{2}

where B={(x,y)|0\leq (x)\leq (y)\leq1} and R=[0,1]x[0,1]
EDIT: The B region should be 0 less than or equal to x less than or equal to y less than or equal to 1.

Homework Equations


I understand the \chi_{B} to be the characteristic function, ie takes value 1 if x is in B, and zero else.

The Attempt at a Solution


I've bashed my head against a wall for ages with this one. It keeps coming out wrong and different every time.
I don't know if whether to solve it is to brute force integrate on the double integral the function like so:
\int^{1}_{0}\int^{y}_{0}\frac{1}{y^{2}+x+1}dxdy (or equivalently the second integral between x and 1, and do dydx, which i believe is the same thing.)

Is this the right thing to do? Or is there a much quicker, shortcut way of doing it?
Many thanks,
 
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spanishmaths said:

Homework Statement


Prove the following inequality:

\frac{1}{6}\leq\int_{R}\frac{1}{y^{2}+x+1}\chi_{B}(x,y)dxdy\leq\frac{1}{2}

where B={(x,y)|0\leq (x)\leq (y)\leq1} and R=[0,1]x[0,1]
EDIT: The B region should be 0 less than or equal to x less than or equal to y less than or equal to 1.

Homework Equations


I understand the \chi_{B} to be the characteristic function, ie takes value 1 if x is in B, and zero else.


The Attempt at a Solution


I've bashed my head against a wall for ages with this one. It keeps coming out wrong and different every time.
I don't know if whether to solve it is to brute force integrate on the double integral the function like so:
\int^{1}_{0}\int^{y}_{0}\frac{1}{y^{2}+x+1}dxdy (or equivalently the second integral between x and 1, and do dydx, which i believe is the same thing.)

Is this the right thing to do?
I'm reasonably sure it's not.
spanishmaths said:
Or is there a much quicker, shortcut way of doing it?
Many thanks,
I would start by find the largest value and the smallest value of 1/(y^2 + x + 1) on your region, and finding solids that overestimate and underestimate the volume beneath the surface.
 
Ah that´s great thanks. So that proves it for when (x,y) are in B.
But when (x,y) are not in B, then we are integrating the function 0 on the interval R=[0,1]x[0,1] with limits of integration 0,1 and x,1 as above, which is 0...
Which is evidently not between 1/6 and 1/2...
So it is only proved for when x,y is in B, and not otherwise...? I'm confused.
It is not true whenever x is greater than y.
?
 
spanishmaths said:
Ah that´s great thanks. So that proves it for when (x,y) are in B.
But when (x,y) are not in B, then we are integrating the function 0 on the interval R=[0,1]x[0,1] with limits of integration 0,1 and x,1 as above, which is 0...
Which is evidently not between 1/6 and 1/2...
So it is only proved for when x,y is in B, and not otherwise...?
You don't need to deal with points that aren't in the B region. Do you understand what this region looks like? It is a triangle.
spanishmaths said:
I'm confused.
It is not true whenever x is greater than y.
?
It doesn't matter about points in [0, 1] X [0, 1] for which x >= y. All you need to be concerned with are the points in B.

The solid whose volume you are estimating (with a lower bound and an upper bound) has a triangle base, and the upper surface is curved. The function z = 1/(y2 + x + 1) is continuous on B and is decreasing as x and y increase away from (0, 0), so there are a largest function value and a smallest function value. The two triangle-shaped solids whose heights are the smallest z-value and the largest z-value have volumes that are the lower and upper bounds, respectively.
 

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