Trying to integrate a non one-to-one parametric function

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of a non one-to-one parametric function, specifically focusing on finding the area under the curve defined by the parametric equations provided. Participants explore the implications of the function's mapping characteristics and seek methods to express the integral as a function of a parameter.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses the goal of integrating a parametric function with respect to x, noting the non one-to-one nature of the mapping and the desire to include areas where two values of x exist.
  • Another participant points out that the concept of "under the curve" may not be applicable due to the graph's shape when r = 3, suggesting ambiguity in the area definition.
  • A participant proposes a method to integrate the function in two parts, identifying points where the derivative dx/dt equals zero and suggesting separate integrals for regions defined by these points.
  • Another participant mentions that the antiderivative cannot be expressed in a closed form using standard functions, implying that numerical integration may be necessary for specific values of r.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of integrating the function and the interpretation of the area under the curve. There is no consensus on the method of integration or the implications of the function's non one-to-one nature.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of a closed-form antiderivative and the dependence on the specific values of the parameter r for numerical integration. The discussion also highlights unresolved questions regarding the definition of the area under the curve for the given parametric equations.

BinBinBinBin
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Hi, I'm working on an independent research project - and am trying to integrate this (with respect to x between some arbitrary m and infinite).

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=+x+=(t+2)/(1+e^(t-r)),+y=(e^(-t^2/2))/sqrt(2*pi)

If you graph this as a parametric eqn (set r to 2 or 3), the problem is that it is not a one-to-one mapping. I want to find the area under the curve (and the part where there are two values of x, I want to include that twice.

Is there any way I can do this?

In the end I want to have the integral be a function of r (m is constant) that I can use elsewhere.

I want to see how the area under the curve changes when I vary r

Any suggestions?
 
Last edited:
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When we find the area "under a curve" it's implied that the lower boundary of the region is the horizontal axis. For your parametric curve, with r = 3, the graph is nearly a loop, so "under the curve" doesn't make much sense.
 
BinBinBinBin said:
Hi, I'm working on an independent research project - and am trying to integrate this (with respect to x between some arbitrary m and infinite).

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=+x+=(t+2)/(1+e^(t-r)),+y=(e^(-t^2/2))/sqrt(2*pi)

If you graph this as a parametric eqn (set r to 2 or 3), the problem is that it is not a one-to-one mapping. I want to find the area under the curve (and the part where there are two values of x, I want to include that twice.

Is there any way I can do this?

In the end I want to have the integral be a function of r (m is constant) that I can use elsewhere.

I want to see how the area under the curve changes when I vary r

Any suggestions?

First just get a bearing on it. This is what it looks to me:

x(t)=\frac{t+2}{1+e^{t-2}}
y(t)=\frac{e^{-t^2/2}}{\sqrt{2\pi}}

Ok, right off the bat, I'm going to plot it parametrically and since you want to integrate it, in the interest of just trying something even if it's wrong, I want to integrate it "twice" as you suggest where it's not one-to-one. That means I need to find where it's not. That's where the black dot is. Since \frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{\frac{dy}{dt}}{\frac{dx}{dt}}, then the point at which it has an infinite slope is when dx/dt=0. Alright then, then I'll integrate the red to the t-value where \frac{dx}{dt}=0, and the blue from that spot to infinity:

\mathop\int\limits_{\text{red}} y(x)dx=\mathop\int_{-\infty}^{\frac{dx}{dt}=0} y(t)\frac{dx}{dt} dt
\mathop\int\limits_{\text{blue}} y(x)dx=\mathop\int_{\frac{dx}{dt}=0}^{\infty} y(t)\frac{dx}{dt} dt

I don't know, is that right guys? I need to check.
 

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Last edited:
Hi !

There is no difficulty to integrate on a closed area.
In fact, the difficulty is that the antiderivative cannot be expressed in terms of a finite number of standard functions. So you cannot give the result on the form of a formula.
The only way is a numerical integration, giving a numerical result for each numerical value of the parameter r.
 

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