Understanding the Sign of Integrals: Explaining x cos x without Evaluation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the behavior of the integral of the function x cos x over specified intervals, specifically from 0 to π/2 and from π/2 to π, without evaluating the integrals. Participants are exploring the implications of the function's sign and its graphical representation.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to reason about the signs of the integrals based on the properties of the function and its graph. Some participants suggest considering the signs of the function over the intervals and the implications for the integral's value.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing hints about the relationship between the function's sign and the integral's value. There is a focus on understanding the graphical aspects and the implications of multiplying positive and negative functions.

Contextual Notes

Participants are encouraged to think critically about the function's behavior without resorting to direct evaluation of the integrals, which aligns with the homework guidelines.

Natasha1
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I have been asked to explain without evaluating the integrals why the integral of x cos x from 0 to pi/2 is positive and the integral of x cos x from pi/2 to pi is negative. Also would I expect x cos x from 0 to pi to be positive, zero or negative? And why ?

How can I do this without evaluting it? :frown: some help would be much appreciated, thanks!
 
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Do you know what the graphs look like? Keep in mind that a positive function times a negative function is negative, etc, and the integral of a positive function is positive, etc.
 
If [tex]f(x)\geq 0[/tex] for x in [a,b], then [tex]\int_{a}^{b}f(x)dx \geq 0[/tex].
 
Do not double-post, please.
Haven't you got enough information on this page (you posted it 3 days ago remember?)? If you have any further questions, why don't consider to post it there, instead of starting a brand new thread?
This proves that some never read the hints in the posts others have given, and think about it, instead, they are looking for a complete solution!
 
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