Why Does a Heavy Spring Extend Differently Under Its Own Weight?

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randommanonea
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A spring of mass [itex]M[/itex] is suspended from the ceiling of a room. Find the extension in the spring due to its own weight if it has a spring constant of value [itex]k[/itex].

I am getting answer as [itex]\frac{Mg}{2k}[/itex], but the answer given in back of the book is [itex]\frac{Mg}{3k}[/itex]. What I did was :

Let the natural (in un-stretched position) length of the spring be [itex]L[/itex]. Let us consider an element of length [itex]dx[/itex] at a distance [itex]x[/itex] from the bottom of the spring. Then the spring constant of this small spring is [itex]k_x = \frac{L}{dx} k[/itex]. Tension in this spring is [itex]T_x= \frac{x}{L} Mg[/itex] (due to the weight of the spring below it, neglecting the weight of this small spring). Therefore, the extension in this small spring, [itex]dl = \frac{T_x}{k_x} = \frac{Mg}{k L^{2}} x dx[/itex]. Therefore total extension, [itex]l = \frac{Mg}{k L^{2}} \int_{0}^{L} x dx = \frac{Mg}{2k}[/itex].

So, where I am wrong; or is the answer in the book wrong ?
 
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