Why is integration with dx in the denominator undefined?

This is because the differential is not really a variable that can be divided by. It is just a symbol used to indicate the variable of integration. In summary, the use of dx in the denominator of an integral is undefined because it is not a true division and serves only as a notation for the variable of integration.
  • #1
Aows
Hello,
In your opinion, why the integration with dx in the denominator is undefined ?? (as in the attached picture)
xqi876U.png
 
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  • #2
Aows said:
Hello,
In your opinion, why the integration with dx in the denominator is undefined ??
Could you explain what you mean? What do you think does dx have to do in the integral?
This question is a bit like asking why ##{}^25## is undefined.
 
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  • #3
Ok, here is the question in clearer way (as in the attached pic)
xqi876U.png
 
  • #4
This is undefined, because nobody defined it. And nobody defined it, because there is no need to define it. At least no mathematical need. One could attach any meaning to it, but this would cause confusions with the integral ##\int \frac{1}{x}\,dx## which is defined.
 
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  • #5
I can't understand your answer.
i need a reason why it is undefined.
 
  • #6
Aows said:
I can't understand your answer.
i need a reason why it is undefined.
What reason do you need and why? A definition is an action. In order to act, people need a motivation. But there is none. It is that simple. Why isn't ##\int x\,\clubsuit \,x## defined? I try to figure out, whether you had something in mind in order to want to define it, or you just picked some symbols and modeled a question with it.

The point is, that ##\int f(x)dx## isn't really a "multiplication". ##dx## is rather a symbol to indicate the variable of integration. Because it is no multiplication, why should there be a division? Of course it is related to a multiplication as we use integrals to calculate areas, which are width times length. So width divide by length is the slope of something, which leads to differentiations, where ##\frac{d}{dx}## is denoted as a quotient. But this isn't a true division either, only an encoded text which describes what really has to be done. So a notation ## "\colon" \, dx## leads to differentiation which is the correspondence to the integration ##"\cdot" \, dx##
 
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  • #7
Thread closed. As @fresh_42 already said, writing an integral with a differential in a denominator is not defined.
 

FAQ: Why is integration with dx in the denominator undefined?

1. What is "undefined integration"?

"Undefined integration" refers to the process of integrating a function that does not have a defined solution. This can occur when the function has a singularity or when the limits of integration are not within the domain of the function.

2. How do I know if an integration is undefined?

An integration is undefined if the function has a singularity at the limits of integration or if the limits are outside of the function's domain. This can also be determined by graphing the function and identifying any breaks or discontinuities.

3. Can undefined integrals be solved?

In some cases, it is possible to solve for an undefined integral using advanced techniques such as contour integration or complex analysis. However, in most cases, undefined integrals cannot be solved in closed form and must be approximated numerically.

4. Why is it important to identify undefined integrals?

Identifying undefined integrals is important because attempting to solve them using traditional integration methods will lead to incorrect results. It is also important to understand the limitations of numerical approximations for these types of integrals.

5. What are some common examples of undefined integrals?

Some common examples of undefined integrals include integrating functions with vertical asymptotes, such as the tangent function, or functions with singularities, such as the natural logarithm. Integrating functions with infinite limits of integration can also lead to undefined integrals.

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