Is the double integral convergent?

In summary: Then integrate by parts. In summary, the conversation discusses evaluating an integral by changing the order of integration. The correct limits of integration are determined and the resulting integral is found to be divergent. An alternate approach is suggested, but it is also found to be divergent.
  • #1
Fizic
23
0
Evaluate the integral ∫(2,∞) ∫(2/x,∞) 1/(y^2)*e^(-x/y) dydx by changing the order of integration.

I get ∫(1,∞) ∫(2y,∞) 1/(y^2)*e^(-x/y)dxdy

etc. etc. etc.

I get to ∫(1,∞) (e^(-2)/y) dy

Which is (ln∞-ln1)/e^2 = ∞

Does this thing not converge?
 
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  • #2
Fizic said:
Evaluate the integral ∫(2,∞) ∫(2/x,∞) 1/(y^2)*e^(-x/y) dydx by changing the order of integration.

I get ∫(1,∞) ∫(2y,∞) 1/(y^2)*e^(-x/y)dxdy

etc. etc. etc.

I get to ∫(1,∞) (e^(-2)/y) dy

Which is (ln∞-ln1)/e^2 = ∞

Does this thing not converge?
Sketch the region of integration.

You have errors in your integration limits for your integral, [itex]\displaystyle \int\int \frac{1}{y^2}e^{-x/y}\,dx\,dy\ .[/itex]

It looks to me like you will need to write that as the sum of two integrals.
 
Last edited:
  • #3
SammyS said:
Sketch the region of integration.

You have errors in your integration limits for your integral, [itex]\displaystyle \int\int \frac{1}{y^2}e^{-x/y}\,dx\,dy\ .[/itex]

It looks to me like you will need to write that as the sum of two integrals.

You're right, it should be ∫(2,2y) instead of ∫(2y,∞)

I'm still getting ∞
 
  • #4
Fizic said:
You're right, it should be ∫(2,2y) instead of ∫(2y,∞)

I'm still getting ∞
I also get ∞. However, the limits of integration are not what you have.

The original integral has y going from y = 2/x to y = ∞.

If y = 2/x , then x = 2/y not what you have, which is x = 2y.

Furthermore:

When y ≥ 1 , x goes from x = 2 to x = +∞ .

And when 0 ≤ y ≤ 1 , x goes from x = 2/y to x = +∞ .
 
  • #5
SammyS said:
I also get ∞. However, the limits of integration are not what you have.

The original integral has y going from y = 2/x to y = ∞.

If y = 2/x , then x = 2/y not what you have, which is x = 2y.

Furthermore:

When y ≥ 1 , x goes from x = 2 to x = +∞ .

And when 0 ≤ y ≤ 1 , x goes from x = 2/y to x = +∞ .

My bad, it was supposed to be x/2, not 2/x.

I think it's infinity but I can't integrate e^(-2/y)/y.
 
  • #6
Fizic said:
My bad, it was supposed to be x/2, not 2/x.

I think it's infinity but I can't integrate e^(-2/y)/y.
O.K.

Then you do get [itex]\displaystyle \int_{1}^{\infty}\,\int_{2}^{2y} \frac{1}{y^2}e^{-x/y}\,dx\,dy \ .[/itex]

I also get that this does not converge.

Yes. That does not integrate to an elementary function.
 
  • #7
Surely
$$
\int_{2}^{\infty}\int_{x/2}^{\infty}\frac 1{y^2}e^{-x/y} \, \mathrm dy \, \mathrm dx =
\int_{1}^{\infty} \frac{e^{1/y}}{y^2} \int_{2y}^{\infty}e^{-x} \, \mathrm dx \, \mathrm dy
$$
is integrable. I get ##e^{-2}## as its value.
 
  • #8
Michael Redei said:
Surely
$$
\int_{2}^{\infty}\int_{x/2}^{\infty}\frac 1{y^2}e^{-x/y} \, \mathrm dy \, \mathrm dx =
\int_{1}^{\infty} \frac{e^{1/y}}{y^2} \int_{2y}^{\infty}e^{-x} \, \mathrm dx \, \mathrm dy
$$
is integrable. I get ##e^{-2}## as its value.
Except that [itex]\ \ e^{-x/y}\ne e^{-x}e^{1/y}\ .[/itex]
 
  • #9
I'd still try moving ##1/y^2## forwards:
$$
\int_2^\infty\int_{x/2}^\infty\frac1{y^2}e^{-x/y}\,\mathrm dy\,\mathrm dx = \int_2^\infty\frac1{y^2}\int_{2y}^\infty e^{(-1/y)\cdot x}\,\mathrm dx\,\mathrm dy.
$$
 
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Related to Is the double integral convergent?

1. What is a double integral problem?

A double integral problem is a mathematical problem that involves calculating the area under a surface in a two-dimensional space. It is a type of integration problem that requires finding the volume between two surfaces.

2. What is the difference between a single integral and a double integral?

A single integral deals with finding the area under a curve in a one-dimensional space, while a double integral deals with finding the volume between two surfaces in a two-dimensional space.

3. How do you solve a double integral problem?

To solve a double integral problem, you first need to set up an integral expression with the appropriate limits of integration. Then, you can use various integration techniques, such as substitution or integration by parts, to solve the integral and find the area or volume.

4. What are the applications of double integrals in science?

Double integrals have various applications in science, including calculating the mass and center of mass of a two-dimensional object, calculating electric flux in electromagnetism, and determining the probability of a certain event in probability and statistics.

5. What are some common mistakes to avoid when solving a double integral problem?

Some common mistakes to avoid when solving a double integral problem include forgetting to include the appropriate limits of integration, using the wrong integration technique, and forgetting to account for any constants or variables in the problem.

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