How to Derive an Integral Formula with an Infinite Upper Limit?

In summary, the conversation discusses how to derive the right-hand side of an equation involving integrals and derivatives. A standard application of Leibniz' rule is suggested, with the full statement of the rule provided. The upper limit of integration being infinity initially causes confusion, but it is resolved by integrating on a finite interval and then applying the rule.
  • #1
ehrenfestcq
2
0
Please derive the right-hand side from the left. If anyone could shed some light on this I would be grateful.

[itex]\frac{d^{2}}{dx^{2}}\int_x^{∞}f(x,z)g(z)dz = \int_x^{∞}f_{xx}(x,z)g(z)dz - g(x)(f_{z}(x,x) + 2f_{x}(x,x)) - f(x,x)g'(x) [/itex]

Please, if you can, provide a detailed explanation of your steps. An attempt I made at getting to the right-hand side of the equation was to consider a parameter α in [x,∞) and using this to
split the integral into two. Then apply the fundamental theorem of calculus to the one while assuming that the differentiation and integration may be interchanged freely on the other. Although, it seems at the end of this calculation one should set α=x and repeat the previous process to arrive at the final result after once again setting the new parameter equal to x. Setting the parameters that have been in [x,∞) to x, while seemingly valid since x is in this set, seems a bit peculiar. It seems as though this is only a trick to change the form of the integral to the right-hand side, this may be fine after all but I would be interested to hear if anyone has some suggestions about this.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
This is pretty much a standard application of "Leibniz' rule" which is, itself, an extension of the fundamental theorem of Calculus as you suggest. The full statement of Leibniz' rule is
[tex]\frac{d}{dx}\int_{\alpha(x)}^{\beta(x)} f(x,t)dt= f(x, \beta(x))\frac{d\beta}{dx}- f(x, \alpha(x))\frac{d\alpha}{dx}+ \int_{\alpha}^{\beta}\frac{\partial f}{\partial x}dt[/tex]

Here, [itex]\beta(x)= \infty[/itex] and [itex]\alpha(x)= x[/itex] so that [itex]d\beta/dx=0[/itex], [itex]d\alpha/dx=1[/itex] so the first derivative is
[tex]-f(x,x)g(x)+ \int_x^\infty f_x g dx[/tex]

Now, use that same rule to differentiate again.
 
  • #3
Thanks! Yes, I considered Leibniz's rule. What had thrown me off was the fact that the upper limit of integration is ∞. This appears to work just fine, although I am concerned with the notion that [itex]\frac{d∞}{dx}[/itex] should be zero. Might I instead handle this by integrating on [x,α] and then applying Leibniz's rule? With this, since α is not a function of x, [itex]\frac{dα}{dx}=0[/itex]. Then the first term on the right-hand side will vanish after which the limit as α tends to ∞ can be taken giving the desired result. Does this sound reasonable to you?
 

FAQ: How to Derive an Integral Formula with an Infinite Upper Limit?

What is an integral formula?

An integral formula is a mathematical expression used to calculate the area under a curve on a graph. It is used in calculus to find the total value of a continuously changing quantity.

How is an integral formula different from a derivative formula?

A derivative formula calculates the rate of change of a function, while an integral formula calculates the total value of a function over a given interval. In other words, a derivative tells us how much something is changing, while an integral tells us the total amount of something.

What are the different types of integral formulas?

The two main types of integral formulas are definite and indefinite. A definite integral has specific limits of integration, while an indefinite integral does not have limits and results in a general formula. There are also various techniques for solving integrals, such as substitution, integration by parts, and trigonometric substitution.

How is an integral formula used in real-life applications?

Integral formulas are used in various fields such as physics, engineering, economics, and statistics. They can be used to calculate the area under a velocity-time graph to determine the distance traveled by an object, find the total profit earned by a company over a certain period, or calculate the average temperature of a region over a given time period.

What are some common mistakes made when using integral formulas?

Some common mistakes when using integral formulas include forgetting to add the constant of integration, using incorrect limits of integration, and making algebraic errors during the integration process. It is important to carefully check the solution and double-check the integration steps to avoid these errors.

Back
Top