Exponential Integration Question

In summary, the conversation is discussing the justification for why e^{\int \frac{dt}{t}} equals e^{ln|t|} which in turn equals t, as opposed to |t|. The reason is that t is assumed to be positive in the given context. The use of the absolute value operator is not necessary in this case. This is shown in the example of solving a differential equation, where ignoring the absolute value functions does not affect the final result.
  • #1
GreenPrint
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Why is [itex]e^{\int \frac{dt}{t}}[/itex] = [itex]e^{ln|t|}[/itex] = t as apposed to |t|? I don't understand what happened to the absolute value operator. Thanks for any help.

I understand that [itex]e^{x}[/itex]>0. Is this the justification? But I don't understand why you can't have a negative t in [itex]e^{ln|t|}[/itex] because you would take the absolute value of a negative number.
 
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  • #2
GreenPrint said:
Why is [itex]e^{\int \frac{dt}{t}}[/itex] = [itex]e^{ln|t|}[/itex] = t as apposed to |t|?
It should be |t|, as you thought.

It's possible that there is some other context that you're not including, in which t is assumed to be positive. In that case, |t| = t.
GreenPrint said:
I don't understand what happened to the absolute value operator. Thanks for any help.

I understand that [itex]e^{x}[/itex]>0. Is this the justification? But I don't understand why you can't have a negative t in [itex]e^{ln|t|}[/itex] because you would take the absolute value of a negative number.
 
  • #3
If I had the differential equation

[itex]\frac{dy}{dt}[/itex] + [itex]\frac{y}{t}[/itex] = 5

Then using integration factors

y = [itex]\frac{5∫e^{\int \frac{dt}{t}}dt}{e^{\int \frac{dt}{t}}}[/itex] = [itex]\frac{5∫e^{ln|t|}dt}{e^{ln|t|}}[/itex] = [itex]\frac{5∫|t|dt}{|t|}[/itex]

I'm unsure how to proceed without ignoring the absolute value functions but it appears ignoring them seems to be just fine for whatever reason
 
  • #4
bump - went onto second page
 
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