Solving special exponential integral

In summary, the conversation discusses a difficult integral problem that cannot be solved using traditional mathematical functions. The individual tried using integration by parts and substitutions, but ultimately had to resort to using Mathematica. However, even Mathematica could not find a solution for the integral, suggesting that it may not have a closed form solution. The conversation also mentions the possibility of using numerical techniques, such as quadrature, to solve the integral.
  • #1
simone8888
1
0
Has anybody got an idea how to solve this integral. I tried integration by parts, and that made the things even more complicated, substitutions as well. I used Mathematica to Solve that problem. Here is the integral:

https://scontent-b-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/1010082_10202689859479307_236334784_n.jpg


Or in Mathematica, it would be:


Integrate[E^(-((x^2 b c^2)/(x^2 + b)))/(x^2 + b)^2,x]
 
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  • #2
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=Integrate[E^(-((x^2+b+c^2)/(x^2+++b)))/(x^2+++b)^2,x]
When Mathematica says "no result found in terms of standard mathematical functions" the odds are pretty good that the function to be integrated doesn't have a nice closed form solution.

Even relatively simple integrals such as ##\int \exp(-x^2)\,dx## and ##\int \exp(x)/x\,dx don't have closed form solutions in the elementary functions. However, these two integrals raise their heads so often that special functions have been invented to represent these integrals. Just by appearance, yours almost certainly is not integrable in the elementary functions, and because it's rather esoteric, I doubt there is an existing special function that can represent it, either.

There are lots of numerical techniques to solve such integrals when expressed as a definite integral. The generic name for such numeric integration is quadrature.
 

FAQ: Solving special exponential integral

What is a special exponential integral?

A special exponential integral is an integral of the form ∫f(x)e^g(x)dx, where f(x) and g(x) are functions and e is the base of the natural logarithm. This type of integral is commonly encountered in physics, engineering, and other scientific fields.

How do you solve a special exponential integral?

The process for solving a special exponential integral involves using techniques such as integration by parts, substitution, or partial fractions to manipulate the integral into a form that can be easily evaluated. In some cases, the integral may not have a closed-form solution and numerical methods must be used.

What is the importance of solving special exponential integrals?

Special exponential integrals are important in many applications, including in physics, engineering, and statistics. They are used to model various physical phenomena, such as radioactive decay and population growth, and are essential for solving differential equations and other mathematical problems.

Are there any special properties of special exponential integrals?

Yes, special exponential integrals have several important properties that can aid in their solution. For example, they are closed under differentiation and have connections to other special functions, such as the gamma function and the error function.

Can special exponential integrals be solved analytically?

Not all special exponential integrals can be solved analytically. Some may require numerical methods for evaluation, while others may have no closed-form solution at all. However, for certain special cases, closed-form solutions do exist and can be derived using various techniques.

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