Finding Integral Value: \int_{1}^{e^\frac{\pi}{2}} \sin (lnx) dx

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The integral \(\int_{1}^{e^{\frac{\pi}{2}}} \sin(\ln x) \, dx\) was approached using the substitution \(u = \ln x\), transforming it into \(\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} e^{u} \sin u \, du\). Initial attempts involved integrating by parts, but errors were identified, particularly with sign mistakes in the integration process. After further clarification and corrections, the final expression for the integral was derived as \(I = \frac{1}{2} [e^{\frac{\pi}{2}} + 1]\). The discussion highlighted the importance of careful application of integration techniques and sign management in solving integrals.
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Hi,

Homework Statement


find value of
<br /> \int_{1}^{e^\frac{\pi}{2}} \sin (lnx) dx<br />

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution



I first used subsitution u = lnx, that gave me:

<br /> \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} e^{u}\sin u du<br />
then letting
<br /> I = \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} e^{u}\sin u du<br />
integrating by parts twice, gave me:
<br /> I = - e^{u} \cos u +\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} u e^{u}\cos u du<br />
<br /> I = - e^{u} \cos u + e^{u} \cos u + \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} e^{u}\sin u du<br />

therefore

<br /> I = - e^{u} \cos u + e^{u} \cos u + I<br />
which of course cancels to zero which is not very useful

Any ideas on finding the value of this integral, or have i made an error in my working?

Many Thanks
 
Last edited:
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I think you need to re-check the 'by-parts'.
 
Last edited:
Yep. In particular, in the second "by parts", think where that sine inside the integral comes from :)
 
Taking the result of the first integration by parts:

<br /> I = - e^{u} \cos u +\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} u e^{u}\cos u du<br />

then working with the integral part:
<br /> +\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} u e^{u}\cos u du<br />
let u= cos u
therefore
<br /> \frac{du}{dx}= - sinu<br />
let
<br /> \frac{dv}{dx}= u e^{u}<br />
therefore
<br /> v = e^{u}<br />

then using identity that:

<br /> \int u \frac{dv}{dx} \equiv uv - \int v \frac{du}{dx}<br />

I got
<br /> e^{u} \cos u + \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} e^{u}\sin u du<br />

Note- i chose u=cos u and dv/dx =ue^u [rather than u=ue^u]since i thought otherwise I would never be able to achieve an equivalent expression without an integral involved as I would get greater and greater powers of u in front of e^u as I kept going.

Sorry if I'm not seeing something obvious, but i can't find the error there

thanks for the replies
 
Last edited:
Doc G said:
Note- i chose u=cos u and dv/dx =ue^u [rather than u=ue^u]since i thought otherwise, I thought I would never be able to achieve an equivalent expression without an integral involved as I would get great and great powers of u in front of e^u as I kept going.

How did you get a 'u' within the integral at the result of the first integration by parts? (And it's now the derivative with respect to u, not x)

[I'm using t instead of u for the sake of clarity]

The first integral, after substitution = \int_{0}^{\pi/2}{e^t\sin{t}}dt

Let u = cos(t) and dv/dt = e^t. Therefore, du/dt = -sin(t) and v = e^t.
 
Last edited:
Thanks, I think I've got it now; but just to check here my full working:

let
<br /> I = \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} e^{t}\sin t dt<br />

u = sin t
dv/dt= e^t

therefore
du/dt = cos t
v = e^t

so:
<br /> I = e^{t} sin t - \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} e^{t} cos t dt<br />

and integrating by parts again:
u = cos t
dv/dt = e^t

so
du/dt = -sin t
v = e^t

<br /> I = e^{t} sin t - e^{t} cos t - \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} e^{t} sin t dt<br />

<br /> I = e^{t} sin t - e^{t} cos t - I<br />

<br /> 2I = [e^{t} ( sin t - cos t )]_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}}<br />
<br /> I = \frac{1}{2} [(e^{\frac{\pi}{2}}( 1 - 0 )) - ( -1)]<br />

and finally, giving
<br /> I = \frac{1}{2} [e^{\frac{\pi}{2}} + 1 ]<br />

Hopefully its right this time?

Thanks again
 
Last edited:
Perfect! ...
 
Great! Thank you very much for the advice
 
You're welcome. :)
 
  • #10
Hmm, I don't quite follow what you're doing in your subsequent posts (it looks correct though), but your first try was already correct if it weren't for one minus sign:

Doc G said:
<br /> \int_{1}^{e^\frac{\pi}{2}} \sin (lnx) dx<br />

I first used subsitution u = lnx, that gave me:

<br /> \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} e^{u}\sin u du<br />
then letting
<br /> I = \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} e^{u}\sin u du<br />
integrating by parts twice, gave me:
<br /> I = - e^{u} \cos u +\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} u e^{u}\cos u du<br />
<br /> I = - e^{u} \cos u + e^{u} \cos u - \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} e^{u}\sin u du<br />
Note the minus sign: cos' = -sin[/color]

therefore

<br /> I = - e^{u} \cos u + e^{u} \cos u - I<br />
so
2I = - e^{u} \cos u + e^{u} \cos u
and the answer follows.
 
  • #11
CompuChip said:
Hmm, I don't quite follow what you're doing in your subsequent posts (it looks correct though), but your first try was already correct if it weren't for one minus sign:


so
2I = - e^{u} \cos u + e^{u} \cos u
and the answer follows.
And you end up with 0, which is incorrect.
 

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