Integrating derivatives of various orders

In summary, the conversation was about trying to find a general solution for the integral ##\int \frac{d^ny}{dx^n} \, dy##, where n is a positive integer. The person speaking had been working on individual cases and was now trying to establish a general pattern and use proof by induction. They had found the solutions for n=1 and n=2, but were stuck on n=3. They had written out their work so far, but noted that there may be some mistakes that they were unable to figure out.
  • #1
Mandelbroth
611
24
I'm trying to figure out the general solution to the integral ##\int \frac{d^ny}{dx^n} \, dy##, where n is a positive integer (Meaning no fractional calculus. Keeping things simple.).

So far, I have been working with individual cases to see if I can establish a general pattern and then try a proof by induction.

So far, I have

$$\int\frac{dy}{dx} \, dy = \frac{d}{dx}\left[y\frac{dy}{dx}\right] + C = y\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}+\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2 + C \\ \int\frac{d^2y}{dx^2} \, dy = \frac{1}{2}\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2 + C$$

and I'm working on n=3.

However, for n=3, I get

$$\int \frac{d^3y}{dx^3} \, dy = \int \frac{d^3y}{dx^3}\frac{dy}{dx} \, dx = \int \frac{d}{dx}\left[\frac{d}{dx}\right] u \, dx$$

and then I don't know what to do. Any suggestions?

Edit:
I've noted that ##\displaystyle \int\frac{d^3y}{dx^3} \, dy = \frac{d}{dx}\left[y\frac{d^3y}{dx^3}\right] = \frac{dy}{dx}\frac{d^3y}{dx^3}+y\frac{d^4y}{dx^4}##?
 
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  • #2
Mandelbroth said:
So far, I have

$$\int\frac{dy}{dx} \, dy = \frac{d}{dx}\left[y\frac{dy}{dx}\right] + C = y\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}+\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2 + C \\ \int\frac{d^2y}{dx^2} \, dy = \frac{1}{2}\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2 + C$$

and I'm working on n=3.

Do you actually get back the integrand if you differentiate your right hand side with respect to y?

(Besides that, I think your problem is easiest to answer using the Leibniz integral rule.)
 
  • #3
Mandelbroth said:
I'm trying to figure out the general solution to the integral ##\int \frac{d^ny}{dx^n} \, dy##, where n is a positive integer (Meaning no fractional calculus. Keeping things simple.).

So far, I have been working with individual cases to see if I can establish a general pattern and then try a proof by induction.

So far, I have

$$\int\frac{dy}{dx} \, dy = \frac{d}{dx}\left[y\frac{dy}{dx}\right] + C = y\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}+\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2 + C \\ \int\frac{d^2y}{dx^2} \, dy = \frac{1}{2}\left(\frac{dy}{dx}\right)^2 + C$$

and I'm working on n=3.

However, for n=3, I get

$$\int \frac{d^3y}{dx^3} \, dy = \int \frac{d^3y}{dx^3}\frac{dy}{dx} \, dx = \int \frac{d}{dx}\left[\frac{d}{dx}\right] u \, dx$$

and then I don't know what to do. Any suggestions?

Edit:
I've noted that ##\displaystyle \int\frac{d^3y}{dx^3} \, dy = \frac{d}{dx}\left[y\frac{d^3y}{dx^3}\right] = \frac{dy}{dx}\frac{d^3y}{dx^3}+y\frac{d^4y}{dx^4}##?


Sorry to say : There are some mistakes.
Did you try to test your équations with simple functions, for example y(x)=ax+b ?
 
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  • #4
Nevermind. Fixed the problem. Really bad math day.

Feel free to close the thread.
 
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FAQ: Integrating derivatives of various orders

What is the purpose of integrating derivatives of various orders?

The purpose of integrating derivatives of various orders is to find the original function from which the derivatives were derived. This process is known as anti-differentiation or finding the indefinite integral.

How is the order of a derivative related to its integration?

The order of a derivative is directly related to the number of times the original function needs to be differentiated in order to obtain the derivative. Therefore, integrating a derivative of a higher order will result in the original function plus a constant term.

Can all derivatives of various orders be integrated?

No, not all derivatives can be integrated. Some derivatives may be too complex to be integrated analytically, and in those cases, numerical methods can be used to approximate the integral.

What is the difference between integrating a derivative of a lower order and a higher order?

Integrating a derivative of a lower order is typically easier and can be done using basic integration rules, while integrating a derivative of a higher order may require more complex techniques such as integration by parts or substitution.

How can integrating derivatives of various orders be applied in real-world situations?

Integrating derivatives of various orders has many applications in fields such as physics, engineering, and economics. It can be used to solve problems involving rates of change, optimization, and finding the total change in a variable over a given time period.

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