Integrating Reciprocals of Powers from First Principles
Integration from First Principles
Foreword: In this part of the paper, I explain how to integrate Reciprocals of Powers, from First Principles. (Use the latest Mozilla Firefox Browser, to see the equations properly.)
In this part of the paper, I explain how to integrate Reciprocals of Powers, from First Principles. You should have read the previous parts of the series before reaching here, as this is the continuation.
Integration is area under the curve. Consider
the following diagram:
y = f(x)
You might have seen the following:
This statement is not perfect. It should actually be:
where f(xn) is a particular height from the curve to the x-axis.
My Discovery
The widths of the vertical strips are equal.
As 𝛿x turns to 0, the number of strips increases.
n is the total number of strips.
As 𝛿x → 0, n → ∞
The series and the formula for its summation, for all the heights of the strips
from a to b, is obtained. If you do not know the formula for the series,
develop one, and that may take time. Summing is done for the heights, from
1 to n.
The summation expression above in the statement, is replaced with the summation formula.
As n → ∞ the right-hand-side of the statement becomes the definite integral; and that concludes the scheme.
Let total area be represented by A. So, my statement for the Integration from First Principles is:
In the following analysis, the binomial expansion to infinity, for a negative index, has been used.
Integration of the Term, 1/x
Let the definite integral be represented by A, and let the indefinite integral be
represented by I. Let the summation expression (discrete summation) be Sn.
Here,
y = 1/x
i.e.
f(x) = 1/x1
δx is small, so nδx/a < 1.
Rearranging:
For the general term, rm, you need my general formula pattern for the power series, which is:
Let the definite integral be represented by A, and let the indefinite integral be
represented by I.
As n → ∞, the fractions with denominators in n turn to 0, and Sn → A
If b = x and a = 1,
This is the indefinite integral according to the Taylor series expansion of ln(x) about x = 1.
Integration of the Term, 1/x2
Let the definite integral be represented by A, and let the indefinite integral be
represented by I. Let the summation expression (discrete summation) be Sn.
Here,
y = 1/x2
i.e.
f(x) = 1/x2
δx is small, so nδx/a < 1.
Rearranging:
For the general term, rm, you need my general formula pattern for the power series, which is:
Let the definite integral be represented by A, and let the indefinite integral be
represented by I.
As n → ∞, the fractions with denominators in n turn to 0, and Sn → A
………………….looks like the definite integral, but it is not, because the summation formula still needs to be obtained, and the limit as n → ∞ determined.
Multiplying both sides by -1 gives:
Add 1 to both sides:
If (b-a)/a is less than 1, then the right-hand-side is the reciprocal as follows:
Multiplying numerator and denominator of right-hand-side by a, gives:
Now, there is no value of a, for which we can have the indefinite integral, of the type resulting from the reversal of differentiation, which is 1/x. So, by analogy with the natural result of the integration of 1/x to give ln(x), I have chosen 1 for a, and x for b, to have the indefinite integral, from first principles. Remember, that b > a. So as a turns to infinity, b also turns to infinity faster. So you cannot end up with the result of -1/x for the indefinite integral; it would not make sense.
If b = x and a = 1,
The definite integral above, has been proven for (b-a)/a < 1. When (b-a)/a >= 1, for example, b=7 and a=3, divide the x-axis interval into portions, such that for each portion, the corresponding (b-a)/a is less than 1. If we divide the interval from 3 to 7 into portions of 1 unit each, that is, b1=4, a1=3; b2=5, a2=4; b3=6, a3=5; and b4=7, a4=6; then
Integration of the Term, 1/x3
Let the definite integral be represented by A, and let the indefinite integral be
represented by I. Let the summation expression (discrete summation) be Sn.
Here,
y = 1/x3
i.e.
f(x) = 1/x3
δx is small, so nδx/a < 1.
Rearranging:
For the general term, rm, you need my general formula pattern for the power series, which is:
Let the definite integral be represented by A, and let the indefinite integral be
represented by I.
As n → ∞, the fractions with denominators in n turn to 0, and Sn → A
………………….looks like the definite integral, but it is not, because the summation formula still needs to be obtained, and the limit as n → ∞ determined.
Multiplying both sides by -2 gives:
Add 1 to both sides:
If (b-a)/a is less than 1, then the right-hand-side is the reciprocal as follows:
Multiplying numerator and denominator of right-hand-side by a2, gives:
Now, there is no value of a, for which we can have the indefinite integral, of the type resulting from the reversal of differentiation, which is 1/2x2. So, by analogy with the natural result of the integration of 1/x to give ln(x), I have chosen 1 for a, and x for b, to have the indefinite integral, from first principles. Remember, that b > a. So as a turns to infinity, b also turns to infinity faster. So you cannot end up with the result of -1/2x2 for the indefinite integral; it would not make sense.
If b = x and a = 1,
The definite integral above, has been proven for (b-a)/a < 1. When (b-a)/a >= 1, for example, b=7 and a=3, divide the x-axis interval into portions, such that for each portion, the corresponding (b-a)/a is less than 1. If we divide the interval from 3 to 7 into portions of 1 unit each, that is, b1=4, a1=3; b2=5, a2=4; b3=6, a3=5; and b4=7, a4=6; then
Integration of the Term, 1/x4
Let the definite integral be represented by A, and let the indefinite integral be
represented by I. Let the summation expression (discrete summation) be Sn.
Here,
y = 1/x4
i.e.
f(x) = 1/x4
δx is small, so nδx/a < 1.
Rearranging:
For the general term, rm, you need my general formula pattern for the power series, which is:
Let the definite integral be represented by A, and let the indefinite integral be
represented by I.
As n → ∞, the fractions with denominators in n turn to 0, and Sn → A
………………….looks like the definite integral, but it is not, because the summation formula still needs to be obtained, and the limit as n → ∞ determined.
Multiplying both sides by -3 gives:
Add 1 to both sides:
If (b-a)/a is less than 1, then the right-hand-side is the reciprocal as follows:
Multiplying numerator and denominator of right-hand-side by a3, gives:
Now, there is no value of a, for which we can have the indefinite integral, of the type resulting from the reversal of differentiation, which is 1/3x3. So, by analogy with the natural result of the integration of 1/x to give ln(x), I have chosen 1 for a, and x for b, to have the indefinite integral, from first principles. Remember, that b > a. So as a turns to infinity, b also turns to infinity faster. So you cannot end up with the result of -1/3x3 for the indefinite integral; it would not make sense.
If b = x and a = 1,
The definite integral above, has been proven for (b-a)/a < 1. When (b-a)/a >= 1, for example, b=7 and a=3, divide the x-axis interval into portions, such that for each portion, the corresponding (b-a)/a is less than 1. If we divide the interval from 3 to 7 into portions of 1 unit each, that is, b1=4, a1=3; b2=5, a2=4; b3=6, a3=5; and b4=7, a4=6; then
Integration of the General Term, 1/xm
1/x1
If b = x and a = 1,
1/xm, where m > 1
Now, there is no value of a, for which we can have the indefinite integral, of the type resulting from the reversal of differentiation, which is 1/[(m-1)x(m-1)]. So, by analogy with the natural result of the integration of 1/x to give ln(x), I have chosen 1 for a, and x for b, to have the indefinite integral, from first principles. Remember, that b > a. So as a turns to infinity, b also turns to infinity faster. So you cannot end up with the result of 1/[(m-1)x(m-1)] for the indefinite integral; it would not make sense.
If b = x and a = 1,
This is the end of this part of the series. Continue in the next part.