Solving an Integral with a Twist - How to Approach it?

  • Thread starter Apteronotus
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Integral
In summary, the conversation discusses how to approach an integral involving a function and the square root of the differential. There was a disagreement on its validity and a suggestion to use a contour instead. A link to a previous discussion was requested for further clarification.
  • #1
Apteronotus
202
0
How can the following integral be approached?
[tex]
\int f(t) \sqrt{dt}
[/tex]

thanks in advance.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
I'm pretty sure it's meaningless. The units don't work out.

However, it would make sense to write something like

[tex]\int_C f(x,y) \sqrt{dx^2 + dy^2}[/tex]

where C is some contour.
 
  • #3
There was a long argument about this in one of the forums a few months ago. But Apteronotus will have to give us a context before we can say anything about it.
 
  • #4
It doesn't make sense. Since [tex]\sqrt{x+dx} = \sqrt{x} + \frac{dx}{2\sqrt{x}}[/tex], it follows that [tex]\sqrt{dx} = dx/0[/tex], which is of course meaningless.
 
  • #5
g_edgar said:
There was a long argument about this in one of the forums a few months ago. But Apteronotus will have to give us a context before we can say anything about it.
Do you have a link to this thread? I'd be interested in reading it.
 

FAQ: Solving an Integral with a Twist - How to Approach it?

What is an integral with a twist?

An integral with a twist refers to an integral that involves a variable or function raised to a power other than 1. For example, an integral with a twist could look like ∫x^2 dx instead of the usual ∫x dx.

How do I approach solving an integral with a twist?

The first step in solving an integral with a twist is to identify the type of twist present. This could include a variable raised to a power, a trigonometric function, or an inverse function. From there, you can use specific techniques such as substitution, integration by parts, or trigonometric identities to solve the integral.

What if I don't know which technique to use for solving the integral?

If you are unsure of which technique to use, it is always helpful to try different approaches and see which one leads to a simpler integral. You can also refer to a table of common integrals or ask for help from a math tutor or teacher.

Are there any tips for solving integrals with a twist?

One helpful tip is to always carefully rewrite the integral in a way that makes the twist more obvious. This could involve using trigonometric identities or substitution to simplify the integral. Additionally, practicing and familiarizing yourself with different techniques for solving integrals can make the process easier and more efficient.

Can software or graphing calculators solve integrals with a twist?

Yes, most advanced graphing calculators and mathematical software can solve integrals with a twist. However, it is still important to understand the underlying concepts and techniques for solving integrals in order to effectively use these tools and check for accuracy.

Back
Top