What is the solution to the definite integral $\int^1_0 x^2 e^x \, dx$?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the definite integral $\int^1_0 x^2 e^x \, dx$ and includes related integrals. Participants explore various methods of integration, including integration by parts and a novel approach involving a function defined in terms of an integral. The conversation also touches on discrepancies between manual calculations and results from a definite integral calculator.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • One participant evaluates the integral $\int^1_0 x e^x \, dx$ using integration by parts, arriving at a result of 1.
  • The same participant attempts to evaluate $\int^1_0 x^2 e^x \, dx$ using integration by parts, leading to an expression involving $e^1$ and a term related to $2$.
  • Another participant questions the result obtained from a definite integral calculator, which yields $2 - e$, and asks if this is equivalent to the previously mentioned result.
  • A different approach is introduced, defining a function $f(x)$ that leads to the evaluation of $\int^1_0 t^2 e^{t} \, dt$ and suggests that $f''(1) = e - 2$.
  • One participant asserts that $2 - e$ and $e - 2$ are not equivalent, emphasizing that the integral must yield a positive area under the curve.
  • A later reply indicates a realization of an error in their earlier reasoning regarding the calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the equivalence of the results from manual calculations and the definite integral calculator. There is no consensus on the final evaluation of the integral, as some participants assert that the area must be positive while others explore different interpretations of the results.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various assumptions about the positivity of the integral and the correctness of different approaches to integration. There are unresolved mathematical steps and notation concerns that some participants note.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in integral calculus, particularly those exploring integration techniques and discrepancies in results from different methods or tools.

shamieh
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Evaluate the following integrals.

a) $\int^1_0 x e^x dx$

So integrating by parts we get

$u = x $ $vu = e^x dx$
$du = dx$ $ v = e^x$

$uv - \int vdu = x e^x - \int^1_0 e^x dx$

$$xe^x - e^x |^1_0 = 1$$

b) $$\int^1_0 x^2 e^x \, dx$$

Integrating by parts we get

$$u = x^2 $$ $$ dv = e^x dx$$
$$du = 2xdx$$ $$ v = e^x$$

$$uv - \int vdu = x^2 e^x - \int^1_0 e^x 2x = e^1 - 2 $$
 
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I would be more careful about notation but your results are correct. Congratulations! (Clapping)
 
Fantini said:
I would be more careful about notation but your results are correct. Congratulations! (Clapping)

Any idea why the definite integral calculator is somehow getting 2 - e? are they equivalent?
 
Here is a new approach that you might like

Define

$$f(x) = \int^1_0 e^{xt} \, dt $$

Then integrating with respect to $t$ we have

$$f(x) = \int^1_0 e^{xt} \, dt = \frac{e^{x}-1}{x}$$

Now differentiate both sides with respect ot $x$ we have

$$f'(x) = \int^1_0 t\, e^{xt} \, dt = \frac{xe^{x}-e^x+1}{x^2}$$

Putting $x=1$ we have

$$f'(1) = \int^1_0 t\, e^{t} \, dt = 1$$

Diff w.r.t to $x$ again we have

$$f''(x) = \int^1_0 t^2\, e^{xt} \, dt = \frac{x^2 \,e^{x}-2(xe^x-e^x +1)}{x^3}$$

$$f''(1) = \int^1_0 t^2\, e^{t} \, dt = e-2$$

Any idea why the definite integral calculator is somehow getting 2 - e? are they equivalent?
The answer $2-e<0$ is not possible since the integral must be positive.
 
No, \displaystyle \begin{align*} 2 - e = - \left( e - 2 \right) \end{align*}. They are not equivalent.

e - 2 is definitely correct. You can tell because the function is always positive, so the area is always above the x-axis and thus must be positive.
 
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Nevermind I se what I did wrong
 

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