Special Funcs: Evaluating $$\int \frac{1}{\sqrt{x}\ln(x)}$$

In summary: No, because the function is undefined at $2$ and $3$.In summary, the function is undefined at $2$ and $3$.
  • #1
Amad27
412
1
Hi,

Recently, I had stumbled across:

$$\int \frac{1}{\sqrt{x}\ln(x)}$$
Let $f(x) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{x}\ln(x)}$

I noticed there is no elementary antiderivative. I want to evaluate this using special functions, but as of right now, I would like some advice as I have no clue about special functions.

Let $u = \sqrt{x}$

$$ = \int \frac{2}{ln(u^2)} du$$

This is where it gets interesting, there is no elementary antiderivative, then how can we evaluate this in terms of special functions.

And AFTER THAT I want to experiment with

$$\int_{2}^{3} f(x) \,dx$$

thanks!
 
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  • #2
Olok said:
Hi,

Recently, I had stumbled across:

$$\int \frac{1}{\sqrt{x}\ln(x)}$$
Let $f(x) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{x}\ln(x)}$

I noticed there is no elementary antiderivative. I want to evaluate this using special functions, but as of right now, I would like some advice as I have no clue about special functions.

Let $u = \sqrt{x}$

$$ = \int \frac{2}{ln(u^2)} du$$

This is where it gets interesting, there is no elementary antiderivative, then how can we evaluate this in terms of special functions.

And AFTER THAT I want to experiment with

$$\int_{2}^{3} f(x) \,dx$$

thanks!

Setting $\displaystyle x=e^{u}$ the integral becomes...

$\displaystyle \int \frac{d x}{\sqrt{x}\ \ln x} = \int \frac{e^{\frac{u}{2}}}{u}\ d u = \text{Ei}\ (\frac{u}{2}) + c\ (1)$

... so that your 'special function' is the Exponential Integral Function...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
  • #3
Olok said:
Hi,

Recently, I had stumbled across:

$$\int \frac{1}{\sqrt{x}\ln(x)}$$
Let $f(x) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{x}\ln(x)}$

I noticed there is no elementary antiderivative. I want to evaluate this using special functions, but as of right now, I would like some advice as I have no clue about special functions.

Let $u = \sqrt{x}$

$$ = \int \frac{2}{ln(u^2)} du$$

This is where it gets interesting, there is no elementary antiderivative, then how can we evaluate this in terms of special functions.

And AFTER THAT I want to experiment with

$$\int_{2}^{3} f(x) \,dx$$

thanks!

Hello again Olok,

I suggest letting $u = \ln(x)$ instead, so that $x = e^u$ and $dx = e^u\, du$. Thus

\(\displaystyle \int \frac{dx}{\sqrt{x}\ln(x)} = \int \frac{e^u\, du}{e^{u/2}\,u} = \int \frac{e^{u/2}}{u}\,du.\)

Letting $v = -u/2$, $dv/v = du/u$, and so

\(\displaystyle \int \frac{e^{u/2}}{u}\, du = \int \frac{e^{-v}}{v}\, dv.\)

Although we're dealing with indefinite integrals, the last integral is closely related to the exponential integral,

\(\displaystyle \text{Ei}(x) = \int_x^\infty \frac{e^{-t}}{t}\, dt.\)
 
  • #5
Hi,

So can we find the definite integral of that from

$2$ to $3$?
 

FAQ: Special Funcs: Evaluating $$\int \frac{1}{\sqrt{x}\ln(x)}$$

What is the special function being evaluated in the integral ∫ 1/√x·ln(x)?

The special function being evaluated in this integral is the logarithmic integral, li(x), which is defined as the integral of 1/ln(x) from 2 to x.

What is the domain of the integrand 1/√x·ln(x)?

The domain of the integrand is (0, ∞), as the function is undefined at x = 0 and approaches infinity as x approaches infinity.

What is the complexity of evaluating the integral ∫ 1/√x·ln(x)?

The complexity of evaluating this integral is considered to be moderate, as it requires the use of substitution and integration by parts techniques.

Are there any special techniques for evaluating this type of integral?

Yes, there are several techniques that can be used to evaluate integrals involving the logarithmic integral, such as integration by parts, substitution, and using special properties of the logarithmic integral function.

Can the integral ∫ 1/√x·ln(x) be solved analytically?

Yes, the integral can be solved analytically using the techniques mentioned above. However, the resulting antiderivative may not have a closed form solution and may need to be approximated using numerical methods.

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