General formula for the nth integral

In summary, the conversation discusses the creation of a general formula for indefinite integrals involving the Cauchy formula, the Taylor series, and a function called sigma. The properties and identities of this formula are also mentioned. The conversation also touches on the difference between the functions f and F, and the use of the generalized derivative.
  • #1
Jhenrique
685
4
For my own use and consumption, I created a generalization of the nth integral of a function f and I'm posting it here for you look: $$\int f(x) dx = f^{(-1)}(x) + C_1$$ $$\iint f(x) dxdx = f^{(-2)}(x) + xC_1 + C_2$$ $$\iiint f(x) dxdxdx = f^{(-3)}(x) + \frac{1}{2}x^2C_1 + xC_2 + C_3$$
$$\int^n f(x) dx^n = f^{(-n)}(x) + \sigma_n(x)$$
being ##\sigma_n(x)##:

$$\sigma_0(x) = 0$$
$$\sigma_1(x) = \frac{1}{0!}x^0C_1$$
$$\sigma_2(x) = \frac{1}{1!}x^1C_1 + \frac{1}{0!}x^0C_2$$
$$\sigma_3(x) = \frac{1}{2!}x^2C_1 + \frac{1}{1!}x^1C_2 + \frac{1}{0!}x^0C_3$$
$$\sigma_4(x) = \frac{1}{3!}x^3C_1 + \frac{1}{2!}x^2C_2 + \frac{1}{1!}x^1C_3 + \frac{1}{0!}x^0C_4$$
Properties
$$\int^n \sigma_k(x) dx^n = \sigma_{k+n}(x)$$ $$\frac{d^n}{dx^n} \sigma_k(x) = \sigma_{k-n}(x)$$
Identities
$$f^{(-1)}(x) = \int_{x_0}^{x} f(x) dx + \frac{1}{0!}f^{(-1)}(x_0)(x-x_0)^0$$
$$f^{(-2)}(x) = \int_{x_0}^{x} \int_{x_0}^{x} f(x) dx dx + \frac{1}{1!}f^{(-1)}(x_0)(x - x_0)^1 + \frac{1}{0!}f^{(-2)}(x_0)(x-x_0)^0$$
$$f^{(-3)}(x) = \int_{x_0}^{x} \int_{x_0}^{x} \int_{x_0}^{x} f(x) dx dx dx + \frac{1}{2!}f^{(-1)}(x_0)(x - x_0)^2 + \frac{1}{1!}f^{(-2)}(x_0)(x - x_0)^1$$
$$ + \frac{1}{0!}f^{(-3)}(x_0)(x-x_0)^0$$
$$\int\limits_{x_0}^{x} \! {\;}^{n} f(x) dx^n = \frac{1}{(n-1)!} \int_{x_0}^{x} (x-u)^{(n-1)} f(u)du$$

What you think about, rox?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #3
pwsnafu said:
I said it in the other thread Cauchy formula.

Yeah! I appreciated your comment. But note that Cauchy formula for repeated integration is a formula for definite integrals, I'm proposing a general formula for indefinite integrals that involve the cauchy's formula, the series taylor and plus a function that I call of sigma.
 
  • #4
Jhenrique said:
I'm proposing a general formula for indefinite integrals that involve the cauchy's formula, the series taylor and plus a function that I call of sigma.

Consider ##f(x) = \frac{-1}{x^2}##. Then we define ##F(x)## as ##F(x) = \frac{1}{x}## for ##x<0## and ##F(x) = \frac{1}{x} + 1## for ##x > 0##. Clearly ##F'(x) = f(x)## but ##F## is not of the form ##\frac{1}{x} + C_1## for some real number. Instead ##F(x) = \frac{1}{x} + H(x)## where H is the Heaviside step function.
 
  • #5
You are using different functions with the same name (f, or F). If F(x) = 1/x + H(x), so F'(x) = -1/x² + δ(x).
 
  • #6
Jhenrique said:
You are using different functions with the same name (f, or F).

One is a capital F, the other is lower case f. They are different.

If F(x) = 1/x + H(x), so F'(x) = -1/x² + δ(x).

No, F is not defined at x=0. Under the standard derivative ##H'(x) = 0## for ##x \in (-\infty,0) \cup (0, \infty)##. With the generalized derivative we have ##H' = \delta##, but you never said you were using the generalized derivative.
 

FAQ: General formula for the nth integral

What is the general formula for the nth integral?

The general formula for the nth integral is given by:

∫[f(x)]^n dx = (1/n)[f(x)]^(n+1) + C

where f(x) is the function being integrated, and C is the constant of integration.

How do you solve for the nth integral?

To solve for the nth integral, you can follow these steps:

  • 1. Rewrite the function in the form ∫[f(x)]^n dx.
  • 2. Apply the general formula for the nth integral.
  • 3. Simplify the result and add the constant of integration, if given.

What is the difference between an nth integral and an indefinite integral?

An nth integral is a specific type of indefinite integral, where the power of the function being integrated is raised to the nth power. An indefinite integral is a more general concept that refers to the antiderivative of a function without any specific power.

Can the general formula for the nth integral be applied to all functions?

No, the general formula for the nth integral can only be applied to continuous functions. If the function is not continuous, the formula may not hold true and other methods may need to be used for integration.

Why is the constant of integration included in the general formula for the nth integral?

The constant of integration represents any possible values of the original function that were lost during the process of differentiation. It is included in the formula to ensure that all possible solutions are accounted for.

Similar threads

Back
Top