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Integration question help (1 Viewer)

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Hey guys This was a question in my exam and while the working was good I got it wrong because one of the signs is meant to be positive and i had it as a negative but i don't know why that is. I'm not sure what the answer is but its not 3.5 cause thats what i got. please help its getin annoying because there is probably a very simple explanation. Here it is I hope it makes sense :confused: :
btw x is not times

Evaluate
(Integration sign)1-2 2x - 1/xsquared dx

Sorry i don't know how to make the correct maths symbols on my keyboard :eek:
Thanx
 

Pace_T

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(Integration sign)1-2 2x - 1/xsquared dx

= S (2x/x^2 - 1/x^2) 1 - 2
= S ( 2/x - 1/x^2) 1 - 2
= (2ln(x) + 1/x) 1 - 2
= 2ln2 + 1/2 - (2ln1 + 1)
= 0.8862
 

Slidey

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For future reference:
^ means "to the power of", so x square is: x^2

Two x minus 1 all on x squared is (2x-1)/x^2 otherwise it is ambiguous as 2x-1/x^2 and could be something else. :)
 
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Ah my question could be misinterpreted. Here it is again with added brackets so its not read as 2x-1 above x squared. My mistake

Evaluate
(Integration sign)1-2 (2x) - (1/x^2)
 
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Slidey

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Ahhh. No, sorry. You didn't need extra brackets. Sometimes people do and it's confusing. Pace's solution is for another situation.

Integral (2x - 1/x^2) from 1 to 2
Break up:
Integral of 2x - Integral of x^-2 both from 1 to 2:
x^2+1/x from 1 to 2
(4+1/2)-(1+1)
2+1/2=2.5 #
 

Slidey

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If it's any consolation, I made the same mistake. :p
 
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Yes thats the correct answer cause i remember i was one off with my 3.5. i made the mistake with the 1/x^2 part and had the wrong signs, neg where is was supposed to be pos. Alright cool, thanks for the help guys. :)
 

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