Chapter 9: Problem 47
If \(k>0\), show that \(\int_{e}^{\infty} \frac{k}{x(\ln x)^{k+1}} d x=1 .\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The integral evaluates to 1.
Step by step solution
01
- Substitution
Let’s make a substitution to simplify the integral. Set u = ln(x), which means du = (1/x) dx. Note that when x = e, u = ln(e) = 1, and as x approaches infinity, u also approaches infinity.
02
- Rewriting the Integral
Rewrite the integral in terms of u: \[ \int_{e}^{\text{infinity}} \frac{k}{x (\ln x)^{k+1}} dx \] becomes \[ \int_{1}^{\text{infinity}} \frac{k}{u^{k+1}} du \].
03
- Integrating
Now integrate \[ \int_{1}^{\text{infinity}} \frac{k}{u^{k+1}} du \]. Integrate using the formula for the integral of a power function: \[ \int u^{-a} du = \frac{u^{-a+1}}{-a+1} \]. Here, a = k + 1.
04
- Simplify the Integral
Using the formula, the integral becomes: \[ k \left[ \frac{u^{-k}}{-k} \right]_{1}^{\text{infinity}} \]. Simplify this to \[ - \left[ u^{-k} \right]_{1}^{\text{infinity}} \].
05
- Evaluate the Limits
Evaluate the expression at the bounds: \[ - (0 - 1) = 1 \]. Since \(u^{-k}\) approaches 0 as \(u\) approaches infinity and is 1 when \(u = 1\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Substitution Method
In calculus, substitution is a powerful technique to make complex integrals easier to handle. The process involves changing the variable of integration to simplify the function inside the integral.
In our exercise, we substitute \(u = \ln(x)\) and consequently, \(du = \frac{1}{x} dx\). A key part of this method is also adjusting the integral's limits according to the new variable. For instance:
In our exercise, we substitute \(u = \ln(x)\) and consequently, \(du = \frac{1}{x} dx\). A key part of this method is also adjusting the integral's limits according to the new variable. For instance:
- When \(x = e\), then \(u = \ln(e) = 1\).
- As \(x\) approaches infinity, \(u\) also approaches infinity.
Integration of Power Functions
Integrating power functions often involves recognizing and applying a specific integral formula. For a general power function \(u^{-a}\), the integration formula is:
\[\int u^{-a} \, du = \frac{u^{-a+1}}{-a+1}\]
In the given problem, after the substitution, the integral becomes:
\[\int_{1}^{\text{infinity}} \frac{k}{u^{k+1}} \, du\]
Here, we recognize \(\frac{k}{u^{k+1}}\) as a power function with \(a = k + 1\). Applying the power function integral formula, we get:
\[\int u^{-(k+1)} \, du = \frac{u^{-k}}{-k}\]
Multiplied by \(k\), the final integrated function is:
\[\int u^{-a} \, du = \frac{u^{-a+1}}{-a+1}\]
In the given problem, after the substitution, the integral becomes:
\[\int_{1}^{\text{infinity}} \frac{k}{u^{k+1}} \, du\]
Here, we recognize \(\frac{k}{u^{k+1}}\) as a power function with \(a = k + 1\). Applying the power function integral formula, we get:
\[\int u^{-(k+1)} \, du = \frac{u^{-k}}{-k}\]
Multiplied by \(k\), the final integrated function is:
- \[k \cdot \frac{u^{-k}}{-k}\]
- Which simplifies to: \[- u^{-k}\]
Limit Evaluation
Evaluating improper integrals often requires careful limit evaluation, especially when one of the bounds is infinite. In our example:
\[- \left[ u^{-k} \right]_{1}^{\text{infinity}}\]
We need to consider what happens to the function \(u^{-k}\) at the limits:
\[0 - (-1) = 1\]
This shows that the value of the improper integral is indeed 1, as required by the problem.
\[- \left[ u^{-k} \right]_{1}^{\text{infinity}}\]
We need to consider what happens to the function \(u^{-k}\) at the limits:
- As \(u\) approaches infinity, \(u^{-k}\) approaches 0 because raising a large number to a negative power yields a very small number.
- When \(u = 1\), \(u^{-k} = 1^{k} = 1\), since any number to the zero power is 1.
\[0 - (-1) = 1\]
This shows that the value of the improper integral is indeed 1, as required by the problem.