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141 votes
17 answers
38k views

Why is differentiating mechanics and integration art?

It is often said that "Differentiation is mechanics, integration is art." We have more or less simple rules in one direction but not in the other (e.g. product rule/simple <-> integration by parts/...
vonjd's user avatar
  • 5,935
106 votes
5 answers
10k views

integral of a "sin-omial" coefficients=binomial

I find the following averaged-integral amusing and intriguing, to say the least. Is there any proof? For any pair of integers $n\geq k\geq0$, we have $$\frac1{\pi}\int_0^{\pi}\frac{\sin^n(x)}{\...
T. Amdeberhan's user avatar
87 votes
8 answers
16k views

Why is Lebesgue integration taught using positive and negative parts of functions?

Background: When I first took measure theory/integration, I was bothered by the idea that the integral of a real-valued function w.r.t. a measure was defined first for nonnegative functions and only ...
KConrad's user avatar
  • 50.6k
38 votes
4 answers
3k views

Binomial again, and again

Let $\lceil a\rceil=$ the smallest integer $\geq a$, otherwise known as the ceiling function. When the arguments are real, interpret $\binom{a}b$ using the Euler's gamma function, $\Gamma$. Recently, ...
T. Amdeberhan's user avatar
32 votes
4 answers
18k views

About the Riemann integrability of composite functions

When I was teaching calculus recently, a freshman asked me the conditions of the Riemann integrability of composite functions. For the composite function $f \circ g$, He presented three cases: 1) ...
X.M. Du's user avatar
  • 627
31 votes
4 answers
8k views

Counterexamples to differentiation under integral sign?

I'm exploring differentiation under the integral sign (I want to be much faster and more assured in doing this common task). So one thing I'm interested in is good counterexamples, where both ...
bort's user avatar
  • 313
27 votes
3 answers
2k views

Integral $\int_0^1 \int_0^1 \cdots \int_0^1\frac{x_{1}^2+x_{2}^2+\cdots+x_{n}^2}{x_{1}+x_{2}+\cdots+x_{n}}dx_{1}\, dx_{2}\cdots \, dx_{n}=?$

How to evaluate this integral: $$\int_0^1 \int_0^1 \cdots \int_0^1\frac{x_{1}^2+x_{2}^2+\cdots+x_{n}^2}{x_{1}+x_{2}+\cdots+x_{n}}dx_{1}\, dx_{2}\cdots \, dx_{n}=?$$ I'm making use of the integral ...
Jerry Leung's user avatar
26 votes
2 answers
12k views

About the definition of Borel and Radon measures

I am trying to understand the notion of Radon measure, but I am a little bit lost with the different conventions used in the litterature. More precisely, I have a doubt about the very definition of ...
Jeremy's user avatar
  • 281
25 votes
2 answers
2k views

Evaluation of an $n$-dimensional integral

I asked the same question on math.se but got no answer there. Since it pertains to my current research, I decided to ask here: Let $n\in 2\mathbb{N}$ be an even number. I want to evaluate $$I_n := \...
heiner's user avatar
  • 453
23 votes
4 answers
5k views

Is $\ x\! \cdot\!\tan(x)\ $ integrable in elementary functions?

I'm teaching Calculus and my students asked me to calculate the integral of $\ x\! \cdot\!\tan(x)$. I spent quite a lot of effort to do this, but I'm now even not sure if the integral could be ...
Victor's user avatar
  • 1,437
23 votes
1 answer
528 views

A characterization of constant functions

In How to recognize constant functions. Connections with Sobolev spaces (Russian Math Surveys 57 (2002); MSN), H. Brezis recalls the following fact: Let $\Omega\subset{\mathbb R}^N$ be connected ...
Denis Serre's user avatar
  • 52.3k
23 votes
2 answers
1k views

Evaluating an integral using real methods

This is a bit of recreational integration. The following, rather attractive integral is quite straightforward via residues: $$\int_0^1 x^{-x}(1-x)^{x-1}\sin \pi x\,\mathrm{d}x=\frac{\pi}{e}$$ ...
ocg's user avatar
  • 453
21 votes
0 answers
658 views

A multiple integral

Let us consider the multiple integral $$I_{n}=\int_{-\infty }^{\infty }ds_{1}\int_{-\infty}^{s_{1}}ds_{2}\cdots \int_{-\infty }^{s_{2n-1}}ds_{2n}\;\cos {(s_{1}^{2}-s_{2}^{2})}\;\cdots \cos {(s_{2n-1}...
Zurab Silagadze's user avatar
18 votes
3 answers
3k views

A curious sin-integral

While contending with a certain Fourier series, I stumbled on an incredibly simple evaluation (numerically) of a slightly complicated-looking sin-integral. So, I wish ask: Question. Is this really ...
T. Amdeberhan's user avatar
17 votes
3 answers
1k views

Decoupling a double integral

I came across this question while making some calculations. QUESTION. Can you find some transformation to "decouple" the double integral as follows? $$\int_0^{\frac{\pi}2}\int_0^{\frac{\pi}...
T. Amdeberhan's user avatar
16 votes
2 answers
2k views

Challenge: Non-Gaussian quartic integral and path integral in Quantum field theory

(1) It is well-known that we can get a Gaussian integral of this type, where $x$ is in $\mathbb{R}$: $$ \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} dx e^{-ax^2}=\sqrt{(2\pi)/a}. \tag{i} $$ We can generalize this ...
annie marie cœur's user avatar
15 votes
1 answer
1k views

Calculate in closed form $\int_0^1 \int_0^1 \frac{dx\,dy}{1-xy(1-x)(1-y)}$

The following question has a 500 points bounty on MSE that soon comes to an end, and no answer as expected was given yet. How would a professional solve the problem? Wish you succcess. https://math....
user 1357113's user avatar
15 votes
3 answers
2k views

Can the Riemann integral be defined through a closure/completion process?

Let us consider real-valued functions on the bounded interval $[0,1]$. A "step function" means an element of the vector space spanned by indicator functions of (points and) intervals in $[0,1]$ (the ...
Gro-Tsen's user avatar
  • 32.5k
15 votes
1 answer
602 views

Integrability property of polynomials in several variables

This might be very trivial, or not. Let $p\colon\mathbb{R}^n\to \mathbb{R}$ be a polynomial of even degree, at most $n-2$. Assume that $p(x)\leq 0$ for any $x\in\mathbb{R}^n$. Assume that there ...
gin111's user avatar
  • 151
14 votes
2 answers
807 views

Integral of power of binomials equal to sum of power of binomials?

Inspired by this MO question about integrating binomial coefficients and the answers, I was wondering whether integrating powers of binomial coefficients also relates to the respective sums. And ...
Andreas Rüdinger's user avatar
14 votes
1 answer
655 views

Almost all non-negative real numbers have only finitely many multiples lying in a measurable set with finite measure

Let $A$ be Lebesgue measurable subset of $[0,\infty)$ such that Lebesgue measure of $A$ is positive i.e. $0<\lambda(A)<\infty$. Let $S$ be the set defined as follows: $$S:=\{t\in [0,\infty):nt\...
Sumanta's user avatar
  • 632
14 votes
1 answer
918 views

Was Cantor aware of Lebesgue theory of integration?

Georg Cantor died in 1919, more than ten years after appearance of the Lebesgue theory of measure and integration at the beginning of the twentieth century. Lebesgue theory has a deep connection with ...
XIII's user avatar
  • 747
13 votes
3 answers
2k views

"Values" of divergent integrals

Are there existing theories of integration in which $I_0 = \int_0^{\infty} dx$ and $I_1 = \int_0^{\infty} x \ dx$ are well-defined infinite elements in a non-archimedean extension of the reals? I can ...
James Propp's user avatar
  • 19.7k
12 votes
2 answers
1k views

Counterexamples to differentiation under integral sign, revisited

Let $f\colon\mathbb R^2\to\mathbb R$ be a measurable function such that \begin{equation*} F(t):=\int_{\mathbb R}dx\,f(t,x) \end{equation*} exists and is finite for all real $t$. Suppose that \...
Iosif Pinelis's user avatar
12 votes
2 answers
592 views

Why is $-\int_{-\infty}^\infty \log\left[1+2f'(x)(1-\cos\phi)\right]\,dx$ equal to $\phi^2$?

I came across this integral involving the derivative $f'(x)$ of the Fermi function $f(x)=(1+e^x)^{-1}$: $$I(\phi)=-\int_{-\infty}^\infty \log\left[1+2f'(x)(1-\cos\phi)\right]\,dx.$$ I'm pretty certain ...
Carlo Beenakker's user avatar
12 votes
1 answer
437 views

Slick proofs using the Henstock–Kurzweil integral?

I enjoyed Iosif Pinelis's slick answer to another MO problem using the Henstock–Kurzweil integral. Are there other examples of problems whose statement does not explicitly involve the Henstock–...
11 votes
6 answers
18k views

One-line proof of the Euler's reflection formula

A popular method of proving the formula is to use the infinite product representation of the gamma function. See ProofWiki for example. However, I'm interested in down-to-earth proof; e.g. using the ...
juno's user avatar
  • 111
11 votes
0 answers
137 views

Assymptotics of a Selberg type integral

Does any one know some references/ ideas on how to study the assymptotics as $N$ goes to $\infty$ of the following Selberg type integral $$\int _{\mathbb R^N} e^{-|x|^2}\ \prod_{1\le i<j\le N} \...
Hatem's user avatar
  • 111
10 votes
2 answers
513 views

Is there a purely constructive presentation of the HK integral?

Treating the Riemann integral in a constructive setting is easy and straightforward. Treating the closely related but much more powerful Henstock-Kurzweil integral constructively is almost easy, ...
saolof's user avatar
  • 1,947
10 votes
2 answers
1k views

Can the integration of integrable sections of a measurable function of two variables ever result in a non-measurable function?

I spent some time searching MathOverflow for a problem that would resemble the one given below, but it turned out to be a rather futile endeavor. I was led to this problem in my attempts to construct ...
Transcendental's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
571 views

Are “most” bounded derivatives not Riemann integrable?

Given $a,b\in\mathbb R$ with $a<b$. Let $$X=\{f\in C([a,b]): f \text{ is differentiable on } [a,b] \text{ with }f' \text{ bounded }\},$$ and $$A=\{f\in X: f' \text{ is Riemann integrable}\}. $$ It ...
Fergns Qian's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
328 views

Asymptotic behavior of an integral depending on an integer

A friend of mine, obtained a lower bound for the trace norm of matrices described in this question (for the special case $a_{ij} = \pm 1$). That lower bound is $ \frac{f(n)}{2\pi}$ where $$ f(n) := \...
Mahdi - Free Palestine's user avatar
10 votes
1 answer
385 views

When is this multiple integral finite?

Consider the following integral: $$ I_k(\alpha)=\int_{[0,1]^k}|x_1-x_2|^{\alpha}|x_2-x_3|^{\alpha}\ldots|x_{k-1}-x_k|^{\alpha}|x_k-x_1|^{\alpha}d\mathbf{x}. $$ where $k=2,3,4,\ldots$ The question is ...
Uchiha's user avatar
  • 87
9 votes
2 answers
1k views

A tricky integral to evaluate

I came across this integral in some work. So, I would like to ask: QUESTION. Can you evaluate this integral with proofs? $$\int_0^1\frac{\log x\cdot\log(x+2)}{x+1}\,dx.$$
T. Amdeberhan's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
458 views

Summing moments and Riemann zeta values

Let $d\mu_n(x)=\cos^{2n}x\,dx$ and consider the averages of moments $$\alpha_n=\frac{\int_0^{\pi/2}x^4d\mu_n(x)}{\int_0^{\pi/2}d\mu_n(x)}.$$ Then, I have encountered a curious evaluation $$\sum_{n=1}^{...
T. Amdeberhan's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
1k views

Integration by parts formula for the double Riemann-Stieltjes integral

In my research the following integration by parts formula for the double Riemann-Stieltjes integral $$\int\limits_{[a,b]\times[c,d]}f(x,y)\,dg(x,y)=f(b,d)g(b,d)-f(a,d)g(a,d)-f(b,c)g(b,c)+f(a,c)g(a,c)...
user64494's user avatar
  • 3,486
9 votes
1 answer
451 views

Improper integral $\int_0^1 \frac{\exp(ctx)}{\sqrt{(\exp(bt)-1)(1-\exp(atx))-(1-\exp(at))(\exp(btx)-1)}} dx$ with $-a$ and $b$ positive

Is the following function real analytic in $t>0$: $$F(t)=\int_0^1\frac{\exp(ctx)}{\sqrt{(\exp(bt)-1)(1-\exp(atx))-(1-\exp(at))(\exp(btx)-1)}} dx,$$ where $-a$ and $b$ are positive, and $c\not=a$? ...
H. Berbeleque's user avatar
9 votes
0 answers
1k views

How complicated can an elementary antiderivative get?

I asked this question on MSE here. I recently learned that there are many very large numbers that have been defined, such as $\operatorname{TREE}(3)$ and many others that are too big to be written ...
pie's user avatar
  • 541
8 votes
4 answers
1k views

For what sets does the Lebesgue Differentiation Theorem hold in one dimension?

Lebesgue's differentiation theorem states that if $x$ is a point in $\mathbb{R}^n$ and $f:\mathbb{R}^n\rightarrow\mathbb{R}$ is a Lebesgue integrable function, then the limit of $\frac{\int_B f d\...
Keshav Srinivasan's user avatar
8 votes
3 answers
446 views

How to get this integral's asymptotics?

Consider the following integral $$ \int_0^{\infty}\frac{e^{-x}-1}{x^{2+\frac{A}{\log b-5/6}}}\frac{1}{\log(b/x)-i\pi/2}\,dx $$ where $A>0$ and $b>0$. I am interested in the small $b$ asymptotics ...
PhoenixPerson's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
330 views

q-Means and the mode of a distribution

Let $f:\mathbb{R} \rightarrow [0,\infty)$ be a continuous probability density function on $\mathbb{R}$ such that \begin{equation} \int_{\mathbb{R}} |x| f(x)\, dx < \infty, \end{equation} and ...
Maurizio Barbato's user avatar
8 votes
0 answers
296 views

Is there a real-analytic approach to evaluate a definite integral (with an elementary integrand) whose value involves Lambert $W$?

I have never seen a real-analytic approach to evaluate integrals of the form below $$\int_a^b\text{elementary function}(x)\,dx=\text{constant non-trivially involving}\,W(\cdot)\tag1$$ The elementary ...
TheSimpliFire's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
662 views

Asymptotics for $\int\exp( -x t / \log t)dt$

What is the asymptotic growth rate of $$f(x) = \int_e^\infty e^{ - x t / \log t} dt$$ as $x \to 0$? As an example of what is meant by "growth rate" consider $$g(x) = \int_e^\infty e^{-x t} ...
Matthew Junge's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
582 views

"sinc-ing" integral

Let $a_1,\dots,a_n, b$ be positive real numbers. *Question.** Is this true? $$\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}\frac{\sin(bx+a_1x+\cdots+a_nx)}{x}\prod_{j=1}^n\frac{\sin(a_jx)}{a_jx}\,\,dx=\pi.$$ My ...
T. Amdeberhan's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
1k views

The sinc function strikes again [duplicate]

Recall $\text{sinc}(x)=\frac{\sin x}x$. It's a familiar exercise that $\int_0^{\infty}\text{sinc}(x)\,dx=\frac{\pi}2$. But, at present, I wish to ask about the following claim on a "sinc-ing" ...
T. Amdeberhan's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
552 views

Dominated convergence 2.0?

During my research, I came across the following question. Let $(f_n)_n$ be a sequence in $C^2([0,1])$ converging pointwise to $g \in L^1([0,1])$. Assume that: $\forall n\in\mathbb N, f_n''<h$, ...
Dattier's user avatar
  • 4,074
7 votes
1 answer
805 views

Can I cover a compact set by balls {B} such that {2B} has bounded overlap?

Suppose I have a compact set $K \subset B_1(0) \subset \mathbb{R}^n$. Can I always find a family of open balls $\{B_{r_j}(x_j)\}$ such that $x_j \in K$ and $B_{r_j}(x_j) \subset B_1(0)$ for each $j$; ...
SBK's user avatar
  • 1,179
7 votes
1 answer
625 views

Possible application of divergence Theorem?

suppose that $f \in C^1 (\mathbb{R}^{N+1},\mathbb{R})$. It's well known that if all his points are regular points i.e. $$\nabla f (x) \neq 0 \; \; \; \forall x \in \mathbb{R}^{N+1}$$ then, for every ...
ty88's user avatar
  • 51
7 votes
2 answers
257 views

$f$ locally (Lebesgue) integrable function on real line, $g(x):= \lim _{r\to \infty} \frac 1r \int_{x-r}^{x+r} f(t) dt$ exists for every real $x$

Let $f : \mathbb R \to \mathbb R$ be a function such that $f \in L^1[-a,a] , \forall a \in (0,\infty)$ and $g(x) : = \lim _{r\to \infty} \dfrac 1r \int_{x-r}^{x+r} f(t) dt$ exists in $\mathbb R$ for ...
user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
408 views

On an asymptotic integral decay

Let $f\in C^{\infty}([-1,0])$ be real-valued and suppose that $$ \left| \int_{-1}^{0} f(t)\,e^{\lambda t} \,{\rm d} t \right| \leq e^{-\sqrt{\lambda}},$$ for all $\lambda > 0$. Does it follow that $...
Ali's user avatar
  • 4,135

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