Chapter 8: Problem 36
Evaluate the integrals. Some integrals do not require integration by parts. $$ \int \frac{(\ln x)^{3}}{x} d x $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
\( \int \frac{(\ln x)^{3}}{x} dx = \frac{(\ln x)^4}{4} + C \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the integral and decide on the method
We have the integral \( \int \frac{(\ln x)^{3}}{x} d x \). We notice that the integrand is a power of the natural logarithm divided by \( x \). A common method to tackle such integrals involves a substitution where \( u = \ln x \). This simplifies the integral considerably.
02
Perform the substitution
Let \( u = \ln x \). Then, the derivative \( du = \frac{1}{x} dx \), which implies that \( dx = x \, du \). Given that \( x = e^u \) (since \( u = \ln x \)), our integral transforms as follows:\[\int \frac{(\ln x)^{3}}{x} d x = \int u^3 \, du.\]
03
Integrate the new function
Now we integrate \( \int u^3 \, du \). Using the power rule for integration, we find:\[\int u^3 \, du = \frac{u^4}{4} + C.\]
04
Substitute back the original variable
We substitute \( u = \ln x \) back into the integrated result:\[\frac{(\ln x)^4}{4} + C.\]
05
Verify the solution
Differentiate \( \frac{(\ln x)^4}{4} + C \) with respect to \( x \):\[\frac{d}{dx}\left( \frac{(\ln x)^4}{4} \right) = \frac{1}{4} \cdot 4(\ln x)^3 \cdot \frac{1}{x} = \frac{(\ln x)^3}{x}.\]This confirms that the antiderivative was correctly found.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Natural Logarithm
The natural logarithm, often denoted as \( \ln x \), is a special mathematical function that is crucial in calculus and many other areas of mathematics. It is the inverse function of the exponential function with base \( e \), where \( e \) is approximately 2.71828. The function \( \ln x \) plays a prominent role in integration, especially when dealing with problems involving growth or decay models.
Some key properties of the natural logarithm include:
Some key properties of the natural logarithm include:
- \( \ln(1) = 0 \) because \( e^0 = 1 \).
- \( \ln(e) = 1 \) since \( e^1 = e \).
- \( \ln(xy) = \ln(x) + \ln(y) \), indicating that the natural logarithm of a product is the sum of the logarithms.
- \( \ln\left(\frac{x}{y}\right) = \ln(x) - \ln(y) \).
Power Rule
The power rule for integration is a fundamental concept in calculus used to find antiderivatives. It states that if \( n eq -1 \), the antiderivative of \( x^n \) is:
\[ \int x^n \, dx = \frac{x^{n+1}}{n+1} + C \]
Where \( C \) is the constant of integration.
In the context of the provided integral, \( \int u^3 \, du \), the power rule is applied. By identifying that \( u = \ln x \), the power rule simplifies the integration process:
\[ \int x^n \, dx = \frac{x^{n+1}}{n+1} + C \]
Where \( C \) is the constant of integration.
In the context of the provided integral, \( \int u^3 \, du \), the power rule is applied. By identifying that \( u = \ln x \), the power rule simplifies the integration process:
- The power \( n \) in this case is 3.
- By substituting into the formula, we integrate to get \( \frac{u^4}{4} + C \).
Antiderivative
Finding an antiderivative or an indefinite integral involves determining a function whose derivative matches the given function. It is essentially the reverse of differentiation, and its result includes a constant of integration \( C \).
In our exercise, the function \( u^3 \) where \( u = \ln x \) needed integration. The antiderivative of \( u^3 \) is \( \frac{u^4}{4} + C \).
This process confirms the integral's correctness by taking the derivative of the antiderivative and ensuring the original function is recovered:
In our exercise, the function \( u^3 \) where \( u = \ln x \) needed integration. The antiderivative of \( u^3 \) is \( \frac{u^4}{4} + C \).
This process confirms the integral's correctness by taking the derivative of the antiderivative and ensuring the original function is recovered:
- Derive \( \frac{(\ln x)^4}{4} \), resulting in \( \frac{1}{4} \cdot 4(\ln x)^3 \cdot \frac{1}{x} = \frac{(\ln x)^3}{x} \).
- This step verifies that the original integrand was accurate.
Definite and Indefinite Integrals
Integrals can be classified into two main types: definite and indefinite. Understanding the difference is key to solving integrals correctly.
Indefinite integrals, like the one in our exercise, represent the collection of all possible antiderivatives of a function. They include an arbitrary constant \( C \) due to the nature of antiderivates:
Indefinite integrals, like the one in our exercise, represent the collection of all possible antiderivatives of a function. They include an arbitrary constant \( C \) due to the nature of antiderivates:
- For example, \( \int f(x) \, dx = F(x) + C \) indicates the general form of the antiderivative.
- Represented as \( \int_{a}^{b} f(x) \, dx \).
- They do not include the constant \( C \) because they provide a specific numerical result.