Undergrad Why Does an Integrand Equaling Zero at x=1 Not Determine the Integral's Value?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the calculation of the integral of the function (1-x²)ⁿ, particularly at the point x=1 where the integrand equals zero. Despite the integrand being zero at this point, the series expansion leads to a value greater than one, indicating that the integral's value cannot be determined solely by the integrand's value at a single point. The series is not defined at x=1, highlighting the importance of evaluating the integral over an interval rather than relying on pointwise evaluation.

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Hornbein
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I'm trying to calculate the volume of a truncated hypersphere. As part of it I want this integral.
Integral.jpg

hypergeometric.jpg


Clearly when x=1 the integrand is zero. But plugging this into the series give me a number greater than one. It is true that the series is not defined for x=1, but subtracting some tiny sum isn't going to make any difference.

I hope I'm missing something obvious.
 
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I made a mistake in my previous post ( deleted it ).

$$
\begin{align}
\int (1-x^2)^n ~dx &= \int (-x^2+1)^n ~dx \nonumber\\
&=\int \sum_{k=0}^n \binom {n}{k} (-x^2)^k1^{n-k}~dx \nonumber\\
&=\sum_{k=0}^n (-1)^k \binom {n}{k} \int x^{2k}~dx \nonumber\\
&=\sum_{k=0}^n (-1)^k \frac { n!}{k!(n-k)!} \cdot \frac {x^{2k+1}}{2k+1} \nonumber\\
\end{align}
$$
 
Last edited:
Hornbein said:
Clearly when x=1 the integrand is zero. But plugging this into the series give me a number greater than one. It is true that the series is not defined for x=1, but subtracting some tiny sum isn't going to make any difference.

I hope I'm missing something obvious.

Why would the integrand being zero at x = 1 tell you anything about the value of the integral?
 
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