What Am I Doing Wrong? : Improper Intergals

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the evaluation of the improper integral $$\int_{0}^{2}z^2\ln z\,dz$$. Participants explore the application of integration by parts and the use of L'Hôpital's rule in their calculations, addressing potential errors in their approaches.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant outlines their initial approach using integration by parts and expresses confusion over their final result compared to a solution manual.
  • Another participant suggests that the application of L'Hôpital's rule should be limited to the evaluation of the term $$\left[z^3\ln(z)\right]$$ at $$t=0$$, indicating a potential error in the first participant's reasoning.
  • A third participant provides a revised calculation after applying integration by parts, detailing the steps and the limits involved, including the correct use of L'Hôpital's rule.
  • A later reply acknowledges the helpfulness of the explanations provided, indicating that the initial poster recognized their mistake.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the initial approach, but there is agreement on the identification of errors and the correct application of mathematical techniques. The discussion reflects multiple viewpoints on the evaluation process.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the proper application of L'Hôpital's rule and the limits involved in their calculations. There are unresolved aspects related to the handling of the improper integral and the specific steps taken in the integration process.

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Here's what I am trying to evaluate...

$$\int_{0}^{2}z^2lnz\,dz$$

This is what I did...

$$\lim_{{t}\to{0}}\int_{t}^{2}z^2lnz \,dz$$

Then using integration by parts...

$$u=\ln\left({z}\right)$$

$$du=\frac{1}{z}dz$$

$$dv=z^2dz$$

$$v=\frac{z^3}{3}$$

$$\lim_{{t}\to{0}}\left[\frac{z^3}{3}\ln\left({z}\right)\right]-\frac{1}{3}\int_{t}^{2}z^2\,ds$$

$$\lim_{{t}\to{0}}\frac{1}{3}\left[z^3\ln\left({z}\right)\right]-\frac{1}{9}\left[z^3\right]$$ for $$t \le z\le2$$

I know that $$\left[z^3\ln\left({z}\right)\right]$$ will give me some trouble so I use L'hopital's rule.

$$\left[\frac{\ln\left({z}\right)}{z^\left(-3\right)}\right]\implies

\left[\frac{\frac{1}{z}}{-3z^\left(-4\right)}\right]\implies

-\frac{1}{3}\left[z^3\right]$$

Then I plug that all back into my equation...

$$\lim_{{t}\to{0}}-\frac{1}{9}\left[z^3\right]-\frac{1}{9}\left[z^3\right]$$ for $$t \le z\le2$$

After evaluating I get...

$$-\frac{1}{9}\left[8-0\right]-\frac{1}{9}\left[8-0\right]\implies-\frac{16}{9}$$

What am I doing wrong? The solution manual states that I should be getting $$\frac{8}{3}\ln\left({2}\right)-\frac{8}{9}$$ as my answer.
 
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Oops, I think I see where I went wrong... I should only be using L'hopital's rule for the portion of $$\left[z^3\ln\left({z}\right)\right]$$ evaluated at $$t=0$$

In which case I would get $$-\frac{1}{3}\left[z^3\right]\implies-\frac{1}{3}\left[0^3\right] =0$$

So evaluated at $$\frac{1}{3}\left[2^3\ln\left({2}\right) - 0\right]-\frac{8}{9}$$ I would get the correct answer.

Lol. Sometimes all it takes is typing it up on here.
 
After you apply IBP, you should have:

$$\frac{1}{3}\lim_{t\to0^{+}}\left[\left[z^3\ln(z)\right]_t^2-\int_t^2 z^2\,dz\right]$$

$$\frac{1}{3}\lim_{t\to0^{+}}\left[8\ln(2)-t^3\ln(t)-\frac{1}{3}\left[z^3\right]_t^2\right]$$

$$\frac{1}{3}\lim_{t\to0^{+}}\left[8\ln(2)-t^3\ln(t)-\frac{1}{3}\left(8-t^3\right)\right]$$

$$\frac{8}{3}\ln(2)-\frac{8}{9}-\frac{1}{3}\lim_{t\to0^{+}}\left[\frac{\ln(t)}{t^{-3}}\right]$$

Now apply L'Hópital's Rule:

$$\frac{8}{3}\ln(2)-\frac{8}{9}+\frac{1}{9}\lim_{t\to0^{+}}\left[t^3\right]$$

And your final answer is:

$$\frac{8}{3}\ln(2)-\frac{8}{9}=\frac{8}{9}\left(3\ln(2)-1\right)$$
 
Thanks Mark. I shortly figured out where I went wrong after posting this, but your explanation was insightful none the less.
 

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