How Do You Prove the Existence of an Improper Integral?

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In summary, proving the existence of an integral requires evaluating the integral from a to b and then letting b tend to infinity. If integrating from minus infinity to infinity, the limits must be evaluated independently. In the case of \int\frac{sinx}{x}dx from zero to infinity, it can be written as an alternating series over intervals ((n-1)\pi,n\pi), but it is difficult to show that the series tends to 0 as n tends to infinity without being able to integrate it.
  • #1
saint_n
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limits..proving they exist?

Wot do u have to do to prove that an intergral exists.?? I know how to do it if the integrals bounds are given ( example, [a,b]) but wot if the integral is from x till infinity??
 
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In the same wasy as infinite sums, work out the integral from a to b and then let b tend to infinity. Eg
integral of 1/x from a to b is log(b) - log(a), which tends to infinity as b tends to infinity so the integral doesn't exist.
integral of 1/x^2 from a to be is 1/a^2-1/b^2, which tends to 1/a^2 as b tends to infinity so the infinite integral exists.

If you wish to integrate from minus infinity to infinity, you must do the integral from a to b and let a and b tend to infinity independently.

Thus the improper integral of sin(x) over the real line does not exist even though you can choose the interval to be [-a,a] and get an answer of zero (other choices will give different answers hence the integral does not exist)
 
  • #3
How will you do
[tex]\int\frac{sinx}{x}dx[/tex]
from zero to infinity.
Which can be written as a alternating series
T subscript n =[tex]\mid\int\frac{sinx}{x}dx\mid[/tex] over intervals ([tex](n-1)\pi,n\pi[/tex])
but how do show as n tends to infinity that T(n) tends to 0?
cos i can't integrate it
 
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FAQ: How Do You Prove the Existence of an Improper Integral?

What is a limit in mathematics?

A limit in mathematics is a fundamental concept that describes the behavior of a function as its input approaches a certain value or infinity. It is used to determine the value of a function at a point where it is not defined, or to understand the behavior of a function near a specific point.

How do you prove the existence of a limit?

To prove the existence of a limit, we use the epsilon-delta definition. This definition states that for any given small number (epsilon), there exists another small number (delta) such that the distance between the input and the value of the function is within epsilon for all inputs within a certain range of delta.

Why is it important to prove the existence of limits?

Proving the existence of limits is essential for understanding the behavior of a function and making accurate predictions about its values. It is also a crucial step in calculus and other branches of mathematics, as limits are used to define derivatives and integrals.

What are some common techniques used to prove the existence of limits?

There are several techniques used to prove the existence of limits, including the squeeze theorem, the sandwich theorem, and the direct substitution method. Each technique has its own unique approach, and the choice of technique depends on the function and the given problem.

Can a limit not exist for a function?

Yes, a limit may not exist for a function if the behavior of the function is not well-defined or if it approaches different values from different directions. This is known as a discontinuity, and it can occur at points where the function is not continuous or when there is a vertical asymptote.

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