What is the value of the constant C for the converging integral?

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In summary, the constant C is a numerical value added to the result of a converging integral, representing the unknown value of the integral's antiderivative at a specific point. It is important because it allows us to find the exact value at a specific point rather than just the general solution. The value of C can vary for different converging integrals and can be negative or complex. It is determined by using the boundaries of the integral and solving for C with known values. The value of C can also change during the process of solving a converging integral if the boundaries are modified or if different methods are used.
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Chris L T521
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Thanks again to those who participated in last week's POTW! Here's this week's problem!

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Problem: Find the value of the constant $C$ for which the integral
\[\int_0^{\infty}\left(\frac{1}{\sqrt{x^2+4}}-\frac{C}{x+2}\right)\,dx\]
converges. Then evaluate the integral for this value of $C$.

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This week's question was correctly answered by MarkFL (Sudharaka gets honorable mention since he pretty much had it but the conclusion on the value of C was incorrect).

You can find MarkFL's solution below:

I would choose to write the improper integral as:

$\displaystyle L=\lim_{t\to\infty}\left(\int_0^t \frac{1}{\sqrt{x^2+4}}- \frac{C}{x+2}\,dx \right)$

Applying the anti-derivative form of the FTOC, we may write

$\displaystyle L=\lim_{t\to\infty}\left(\left(\ln(t+\sqrt{t^2+4})-C\ln(t+2) \right)-\left(\ln(2)-C\ln(2) \right) \right)$

Applying logarithmic properties, there results:

$\displaystyle L=\lim_{t\to\infty}\left(\ln\left(\frac{2^C(t+ \sqrt{t^2+4})}{2(t+2)^C} \right) \right)$

In order for $L$ to exist, we see that we require the denominator to be of degree 1, hence $C=1$:

$\displaystyle L=\ln\left(\lim_{t\to\infty}\left(\frac{1+ \sqrt{1+\frac{4}{t^2}}}{1+\frac{2}{t}} \right) \right)$

$\displaystyle L=\ln(2)$
 

FAQ: What is the value of the constant C for the converging integral?

What is the constant C and why is it important in a converging integral?

The constant C is a numerical value that is added to the result of a converging integral. It represents the unknown value of the integral's antiderivative at a specific point. The value of C is important because it allows us to find the exact value of the integral at a specific point, rather than just the general solution.

Is the value of C always the same for every converging integral?

No, the value of C can vary for different converging integrals. It depends on the specific problem and the boundaries of the integral. The value of C can also change if the boundaries of the integral are modified.

Can the value of C be negative or complex?

Yes, the value of C can be negative or complex. This is because the constant C is simply a numerical value that is added to the result of the integral. It does not have any restrictions on its value, as long as it allows the integral to converge.

How do you determine the value of C for a specific integral?

The value of C can be determined by using the boundaries of the integral and solving for C using the known values of the integral. For example, if the boundaries are 0 and 5, and the integral equals 10, then C can be solved for by setting up the equation 5 + C = 10 and solving for C, which in this case would be 5.

Is it possible for the value of C to change during the process of solving a converging integral?

Yes, the value of C can change during the process of solving a converging integral. This can happen if the boundaries of the integral are modified or if the integral is solved using different methods, such as integration by parts. In these cases, the value of C may need to be recalculated to find the exact solution for the integral.

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