How Does the Limit of the Integral Relate to the Sinc Integral?

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    2016
In summary, the POTW stands for "Problem of the Week" and is a weekly challenge or puzzle given to students or individuals to solve using their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It is chosen by a committee of scientists who carefully select a problem that is challenging and relevant to current scientific research and advancements. The purpose of the POTW is to encourage critical and creative thinking about scientific problems and to promote interest in science. To submit a solution, follow the designated submission process provided by the committee. While there may not always be tangible rewards, the satisfaction of solving a challenging problem and showcasing problem-solving skills can be rewarding.
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Euge
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Here is this week's POTW:

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Prove

$$\lim_{n\to \infty} \int_0^{\pi/(2n)} \frac{\sin 2nx}{\sin x}\, dx = \int_0^\pi \frac{\sin x}{x}\, dx.$$

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Remember to read the http://www.mathhelpboards.com/showthread.php?772-Problem-of-the-Week-%28POTW%29-Procedure-and-Guidelines to find out how to http://www.mathhelpboards.com/forms.php?do=form&fid=2!
 
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  • #2
No one answered this week's problem. You can read my solution below.
I'll prove this in two ways: (1) by Lebesgue integration and (2) by Riemann integration.

(1) By a change of variable $y = 2n x$, I write

$$\int_0^{\pi/2n} \frac{\sin 2n x}{\sin x}\, dx = \int_0^\pi \frac{\sin y}{2n\sin \frac{y}{2n}}\, dy\tag{*}$$

Since $\sin x \ge \dfrac{2x}{\pi}$ for $0 \le x \le \pi/2$, then $2n \sin \dfrac{y}{2n} \ge \dfrac2\pi y$ for $0 \le y \le \pi$. Thus, the integrand of the right-hand side of (*) is bounded by $\dfrac{\pi}{2}\cdot\dfrac{\sin y}{y}$ on $(0,\pi]$. Furthermore, the integrand converges pointwise to $\dfrac{\sin y}{y}$ over $(0,\pi]$. Hence, by the dominated convergence theorem, the integral converges to $\int_0^\pi \frac{\sin y}{y}\, dy$, as desired.

(2) Note that for every $x$,

$$\sin 2n x = \sum_{k = 1}^n (\sin 2kx - \sin\, [2(k-1)x]) =\sum_{k = 1}^n 2\cos\, [(2k-1)x] \sin x.$$

Thus

$$\int_0^{\pi/2n} \frac{\sin 2nx}{\sin x}\, dx = \int_0^{\pi/2n} \sum_{k = 1}^n 2\cos\,[(2k-1)x]\, dx = \int_0^\pi \frac{1}{n}\sum_{k = 1}^n \cos\, \left[\frac{2k-1}{2n}x\right]\, dx.\tag{**}$$

The sequence of continuous functions

$$f_n(x) = \frac{1}{n}\sum_{k = 1}^n \cos \left[\frac{2k-1}{2n}x\right] \quad (n = 1, 2,3,\ldots)$$

increase monotonically, on the compact interval $[0,\pi]$, to the function $F(x)$, where $F(0) = 1$ and for $x > 0$, $$F(x) = \frac{1}{x}\int_0^x \cos t\, dt = \frac{\sin x}{x}.$$

By Dini's theorem, $f_n$ converges uniformly to $F$ on $[0,\pi]$. Hence,

$$\lim_{n\to \infty} \int_0^\pi f_n(x)\, dx = \int_0^\pi \lim_{n\to \infty} f_n(x)\, dx = \int_0^\pi \frac{\sin x}{x}\, dx,$$

and consequently by (**),

$$\lim_{n\to \infty} \int_0^{\pi/2n} \frac{\sin 2nx}{\sin x}\, dx = \int_0^\pi \frac{\sin x}{x}\, dx.$$
 

FAQ: How Does the Limit of the Integral Relate to the Sinc Integral?

1. What is the POTW?

The POTW stands for "Problem of the Week" and is a weekly challenge or puzzle given to students or individuals to solve using their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

2. How is the POTW chosen?

The POTW is chosen by a committee of scientists who carefully select a problem that is challenging and relevant to current scientific research and advancements.

3. What is the purpose of the POTW?

The purpose of the POTW is to encourage individuals to think critically and creatively about scientific problems and to promote interest and curiosity in the field of science.

4. How can I submit a solution to the POTW?

Most often, the POTW will have a designated submission process, such as a specific email address or online form, for individuals to submit their solutions. It is important to follow the guidelines provided by the committee for submitting solutions.

5. Are there any rewards for solving the POTW?

While there may not always be tangible rewards for solving the POTW, the satisfaction of solving a challenging problem and the opportunity to showcase your problem-solving skills can be rewarding in itself.

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