What Value of Alpha Ensures the Convergence of This Integral?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the coefficient \(\alpha\) for which the integral \(\int_{0}^{\infty}\frac{e^{x \left|\sin x \right|}}{x^{\alpha}} dx\) converges. Participants explore the behavior of the integrand and the implications of different values of \(\alpha\) on convergence.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss breaking the integral into parts and question the necessity of three integrals versus two. There are attempts to evaluate the integral using limits and series expansions. Some participants express uncertainty about the convergence behavior as \(\alpha\) varies, particularly around values less than or greater than 1.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with various interpretations of how to approach the integral. Some participants suggest that \(\alpha\) should be less than 1, while others propose it might need to be greater than 1. There is no clear consensus, and multiple perspectives on the behavior of the integral are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of evaluating improper integrals and are considering the implications of the exponential growth of the integrand. There is mention of potential confusion regarding the bounds and the behavior of the integral as limits approach zero and infinity.

(@apache@)
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Homework Statement


what coefficient [tex]\alpha[/tex] this integral is convergent for?:

[tex]\int_{0}^{\infty}\frac{e^{x \left|\sin x \right|}}{x^{\alpha}} dx[/tex]


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I've started with this: I = I1 + I2 + I3, where
[tex]I_1=\int_{0}^{\epsilon}[/tex]

[tex]I_2=\int_{\epsilon}^{M}[/tex]

[tex]I_2=\int_{M}^{\infty}[/tex]

so, I2 is clear, but I have big problem with the third one, it looks like the divergent, but I'm not really sure, can you help me?
Is it correct that [tex]I_1 \sim \frac{1}{x^{\alpha}}[/tex]?
 
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You don't need three integrals: two will be enough. For the first one the limits of integration should be epsilon (lower) and b. For the second one, the limits should be b (lower) and M. Both integrals are improper, but for different reasons, and both need to be evaluated using limits. The first integral is evaluated at b and epsilon, and the limit taken as epsilon goes to 0+. The second integral is evaluated at M and b, and the limit taken as M goes to infinity.
 
I think both suggestion to solve this looks similar, because in the same way you must solve the limit in the infinity and I consider it quite difficult. Could you suggest me some more precise way of solution. I was trying to make the series from that. I mean: [tex]\sum_{n=M}^{\infty}\int_{n\pi}^{(n+1)\pi}[/tex] ant then I restricted it by high limit and then I was able to integrated when in the end I got some kind of harmonic series. So to sum up [tex]\alpha \in (0;1)[/tex] (according to first integral around zero).
Thanks for your time.
 
I think you need to work on the integrand.
1 <= ex|sin(x)| <= ex, so the integrand is bounded by 1/x[itex]\alpha[/itex] and ex/x[itex]\alpha[/itex]. Can you find a value for alpha for which the integrand is small enough that it converges?
 
In the first one I´m quite sure that [tex]\alpha [\tex] should be <1.<br /> In the second one I get into the blind alley, neverthless I think we only one option, so we must restrict for some ending M, then we will get the high bound looks like that: [tex]\leq e^{M}\frac{1}{x^{\alpha}}[\tex], finally [tex]\alpha [\tex] would be >1. But it's very strange resul, isn`t it? Thanks again to everyone[/tex][/tex][/tex]
 
Last edited:
(@apache@) said:
In the first one I´m quite sure that [tex]\alpha [\tex] should be <1.[/tex]
[tex]I don't think so. If [itex]\alpha[\itex] < 1, then x<sup>[itex]\alpha [\itex][/itex]</sup>[itex]will be small. Since it's in the denominator, the overall expression will be larger than if [itex]\alpha [\itex] were greater than 1.<br /> <blockquote data-attributes="" data-quote="(@apache@)" data-source="post: 2462514" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> (@apache@) said: </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> In the second one I get into the blind alley, neverthless I think we only one option, so we must restrict for some ending M, then we will get the high bound looks like that: [tex]\leq e^{M}\frac{1}{x^{\alpha}}[\tex], finally [tex]\alpha [\tex] would be >1. But it's very strange resul, isn`t it? Thanks again to everyone[/tex][/tex] </div> </div> </blockquote>[tex][tex] <br /> My sense is that this integral diverges no matter what [itex]\alpha [\itex] is. The exponential function grows large so fast that division by x<sup>[itex]\alpha [\itex][/itex]</sup>[itex]won't make any difference.[/itex][/itex][/tex][/tex][/itex][/itex][/itex][/tex]
 
I was optimistic and I believed it could convergent.
Thanks fot your patience
See you
 

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