890 CHAPTER 7 TECHNIQUES OF INTEGRATION

7.6 Improper Integrals

Preliminary Questions
1. State whether the integral converges or diverges:
Z 1 Z 1
(a) x !3 dx (b) x !3 dx
1 0
Z 1 Z 1
(c) x !2=3 dx (d) x !2=3 dx
1 0

SOLUTION
(a) The integral is improper because one of the limits of integration is infinite. Because the power of x in the integrand is less than
!1, this integral converges.
(b) The integral is improper because the integrand is undefined at x D 0. Because the power of x in the integrand is less than !1,
this integral diverges.
(c) The integral is improper because one of the limits of integration is infinite. Because the power of x in the integrand is greater
than !1, this integral diverges.
(d) The integral is improper because the integrand is undefined at x D 0. Because the power of x in the integrand is greater than
!1, this integral converges.
Z !=2
2. Is cot x dx an improper integral? Explain.
0
SOLUTION Because the integrand cot x is undefined at x D 0, this is an improper integral.
Z b
1
3. Find a value of b > 0 that makes 2!4
dx an improper integral.
0 x
SOLUTION Any value of b satisfying jbj " 2 will make this an improper integral.
Z 1
dx
4. Which comparison would show that converges?
0 x C ex
SOLUTION Note that, for x > 0,

1 1
< x D e !x :
x C ex e
Moreover
Z 1
e !x dx
0

converges. Therefore,
Z 1 1
dx
0 x C ex
converges by the comparison test.
Z 1 e !x
5. Explain why it is not possible to draw any conclusions about the convergence of dx by comparing with the integral
Z 1 1 x
dx
.
1 x
SOLUTION For 1 # x < 1,

e !x 1
< ;
x x
but
Z 1 dx
1 x
diverges. Knowing that an integral is smaller than a divergent integral does not allow us to draw any conclusions using the compar-
ison test.
 S E C T I O N 7.6 Improper Integrals 891

Exercises
1. Which of the following integrals is improper? Explain your answer, but do not evaluate the integral.
Z 2 Z 1 Z 1
dx dx
(a) (b) (c) e !x dx
0 x 1=3 1 x 0:2 !1
Z 1 Z !=2 Z 1
(d) e !x dx (e) sec x dx (f) sin x dx
0 0 0
Z 1 Z 1 Z 1
dx
(g) sin x dx (h) p (i) ln x dx
0 0 3 ! x2 1
Z 3
(j) ln x dx
0

SOLUTION

(a) Improper. The function x !1=3 is infinite at 0.

(b) Improper. Infinite interval of integration.
(c) Improper. Infinite interval of integration.
(d) Proper. The function e !x is continuous on the finite interval Œ0; 1!.
(e) Improper. The function sec x is infinite at !2 .
(f) Improper. Infinite interval of integration.
(g) Proper. The function sin x is continuous on the finite interval Œ0; 1!.
p
(h) Proper. The function 1= 3 ! x 2 is continuous on the finite interval Œ0; 1!.
(i) Improper. Infinite interval of integration.
(j) Improper. The function ln x is infinite at 0.
2. Let f .x/ D x !4=3 .
Z R
(a) Evaluate f .x/ dx.
Z11
(b) Evaluate f .x/ dx by computing the limit
1
Z R
lim f .x/ dx
R!1 1

SOLUTION
Z R ˇR # $
ˇ ! " 1
(a) x !4=3 dx D !3x !1=3 ˇˇ D !3R!1=3 ! ! 3.1/ D 3 1 ! :
1 1 R1=3
Z 1 Z R # $
1
(b) x !4=3 dx D lim x !4=3 dx D lim 3 1 ! D 3.1 ! 0/ D 3:
1 R!1 1 R!1 R1=3
Z 1
3. Prove that x !2=3 dx diverges by showing that
1
Z R
lim x !2=3 dx D 1
R!1 1

SOLUTION First compute the proper integral:

Z R ˇR % &
ˇ
x !2=3 dx D 3x 1=3 ˇˇ D 3R1=3 ! 3 D 3 R1=3 ! 1 :
1 1

Then show divergence:

Z 1 Z R % &
x !2=3 dx D lim x !2=3 dx D lim 3 R1=3 ! 1 D 1:
1 R!1 1 R!1
Z 3 dx
4. Determine whether converges by computing
0 .3 ! x/3=2
Z R dx
lim
R!3! 0 .3 ! x/3=2
892 CHAPTER 7 TECHNIQUES OF INTEGRATION

SOLUTION First evaluate the integral on the interval Œ0; R! for 0 < R < 3:
Z R
ˇR
dx ˇ
!1=2 ˇ 2 2
D 2.3 ! x/ ˇ D p3 ! R ! p3 :
0 .3 ! x/3=2 0

Now compute the limit as R ! 3! :

Z 3 Z R # $
dx dx 2 2
D lim D lim p !p D 1I
0 .3 ! x/3=2 R!3! 0 .3 ! x/3=2 R!3! 3!R 3
thus, the integral diverges.

In Exercises 5–40, determine whether the improper integral converges and, if so, evaluate it.
Z 1
dx
5. 19=20
1 x
SOLUTION First evaluate the integral over the finite interval Œ1; R! for R > 1:
Z R
ˇR
dx ˇ
D 20x 1=20 ˇˇ D 20R1=20 ! 20:
1 x 19=20 1

Now compute the limit as R ! 1:

Z 1 Z R % &
dx dx
D lim D lim 20R1=20 ! 20 D 1:
1 x 19=20 R!1 1 x 19=20 R!1

The integral does not converge.

Z 1
dx
6.
1 x 20=19

SOLUTION First evaluate the integral over the finite interval Œ1; R! for R > 1:
Z R ˇR
dx ˇ !19 19
D !19x !1=19 ˇˇ D ! .!19/ D 19 ! :
1 x 20=19 1 R1=19 R1=19
Now compute the limit as R ! 1:
Z 1 Z R # $
dx dx 19
D lim D lim 19 ! D 19 ! 0 D 19:
1 x 20=19 R!1 1 x 20=19 R!1 R1=19
Z 4
7. e 0:0001t dt
!1
SOLUTION First evaluate the integral over the finite interval ŒR; 4! for R < 4:

Z ˇ4
4
.0:0001/t e .0:0001/t ˇˇ % &
e dt D ˇ D 10;000 e 0:0004 ! e .0:0001/R :
R 0:0001 ˇ
R

Now compute the limit as R ! !1:

Z 4 Z 4 % &
e .0:0001/t dt D lim e .0:0001/t dt D lim 10;000 e 0:0004 ! e .0:0001/R
!1 R!!1 R R!!1
% &
0:0004
D 10;000 e ! 0 D 10;000e 0:0004 :
Z 1 dt
8.
20 t
SOLUTION First evaluate the integral over the finite interval Œ20; R! for 20 < R:
Z R dt ˇR
D ln jtjˇ20 D ln R ! ln 20:
20 t
Now compute the limit as R ! 1:
Z 1 Z R
dt dt
D lim D lim .ln R ! ln 20/ D 1I
20 t R!1 20 t R!1

thus, the integral does not converge.

 S E C T I O N 7.6 Improper Integrals 893

Z 5 dx
9.
0 x 20=19
SOLUTION The function x !20=19 is infinite at the endpoint 0, so we’ll first evaluate the integral on the finite interval ŒR; 5! for
0 < R < 5:
Z 5 ˇ5 % & # $
dx ˇ 1 1
D !19x !1=19 ˇˇ D !19 5!1=19 ! R!1=19 D 19 ! :
R x 20=19 R R1=19 51=19

Now compute the limit as R ! 0C :

Z 5 Z 5 # $
dx dx 1 1
20=19
D lim D lim 19 ! D 1I
0 x R!0C R x 20=19 R!0C R1=19 51=19
thus, the integral does not converge.
Z 5
dx
10.
0 x 19=20

SOLUTION The function x !19=20 is infinite at the endpoint 0, so we’ll first evaluate the integral on the finite interval ŒR; 5! for
0 < R < 5:
Z 5 ˇ5 % &
dx ˇ
D 20x 1=20 ˇˇ D 20 51=20 ! R1=20 :
R x 19=20 R

Now compute the limit as R ! 0C :

Z 5 Z 5 % & % &
dx dx
D lim D lim 20 51=20 ! R1=20 D 20 51=20 ! 0 D 20 $ 51=20 :
0 x 19=20 R!0C R x 19=20 R!0C
Z 4
dx
11. p
0 4!x
p
SOLUTION The function 1= 4 ! x is infinite at x D 4, so we’ll first evaluate the integral on the interval Œ0; R! for 0 < R < 4:

Z R p ˇR p p p
dx ˇ
p D !2 4 ! x ˇ D !2 4 ! R ! .!2/ 4 D 4 ! 2 4 ! R:
0 4!x 0

Now compute the limit as R ! 4! :

Z 4 Z R % p &
dx dx
p D lim p D lim 4 ! 2 4 ! R D 4 ! 0 D 4:
0 4!x R!4! 0 4!x R!4!
Z 6 dx
12.
5 .x ! 5/3=2
SOLUTION The function .x ! 5/!3=2 is infinite at x D 5, so we’ll first evaluate the integral on the interval ŒR; 6! for 5 < R < 6:
Z 6 ˇ6
dx ˇ
!1=2 ˇ !2 !2 2
D 2.x ! 5/ ˇ D p1 ! pR ! 5 D pR ! 5 ! 2:
R .x ! 5/3=2 R

Now compute the limit as R ! 5C :

Z 6 Z 6 # $
dx dx 2
D lim D lim p ! 2 D 1I
5 .x ! 5/!3=2 R!5C R .x ! 5/3=2 R!5C R!5
thus, the integral does not converge.
Z 1
13. x !3 dx
2
SOLUTION First evaluate the integral on the finite interval Œ2; R! for 2 < R:

Z ˇR
R
!3 x !2 ˇˇ !1 !1 1 1
x dx D ˇ D 2
! 2
D ! :
2 !2 ˇ 2R 2.2 / 8 2R2
2

Now compute the limit as R ! 1:

Z 1 Z R # $
1 1 1
x !3 dx D lim x !3 dx D lim ! D :
2 R!1 2 R!1 8 2R2 8
894 CHAPTER 7 TECHNIQUES OF INTEGRATION
Z 1 dx
14.
0 .x C 1/3
SOLUTION First evaluate the integral on the finite interval Œ0; R! for R > 0:

Z ˇR
R dx .x C 1/!2 ˇˇ !1 !1 1 1
D ˇ D ! D ! :
0 .x C 1/3 !2 ˇ 2.R C 1/2 2.1/2 2 2.R C 1/2
0

Now compute the limit as R ! 1:

Z 1 Z R # $
dx dx 1 1 1
D lim D lim ! D :
0 .x C 1/3 R!1 0 .x C 1/3 R!1 2 2.R C 1/2 2
Z 1 dx
15.
!3 .x C 4/3=2
SOLUTION First evaluate the integral on the finite interval Œ!3; R! for R > !3:
Z R ˇR
dx ˇ
!1=2 ˇ !2 !2 2
3=2
D !2.x C 4/ ˇ D pR C 4 ! p1 D 2 ! pR C 4 :
!3 .x C 4/ !3

Now compute the limit as R ! 1:

Z 1 Z R # $
dx dx 2
D lim D lim 2 ! p D 2 ! 0 D 2:
!3 .x C 4/3=2 R!1 !3 .x C 4/3=2 R!1 RC4
Z 1
16. e !2x dx
2
SOLUTION First evaluate the integral on the finite interval Œ2; R! for R > 2:

Z ˇR
R
!2x e !2x ˇˇ 1% & 1 % !4 &
e dx D ˇ D ! e !2R ! e !4 D e ! e !2R :
2 !2 ˇ 2 2
2

Now compute the limit as R ! 1:

Z Z % &
1 R 1 % !4 & 1
e !2x dx D lim e !2x dx D lim e !4 ! e !2R D e !0 D 4:
2 R!1 2 R!1 2 2e
Z 1 dx
17.
0 x 0:2
SOLUTION The function x !0:2 is infinite at x D 0, so we’ll first evaluate the integral on the interval ŒR; 1! for 0 < R < 1:

Z ˇ1
1 dx x 0:8 ˇˇ % &
0:2
D ˇ D 1:25 1 ! R0:8 :
R x 0:8 ˇ
R

Now compute the limit as R ! 0C :

Z 1 Z 1 % &
dx dx
0:2
D lim 0:2
D lim 1:25 1 ! R0:8 D 1:25.1 ! 0/ D 1:25:
0 x R!0 C R x R!0 C
Z 1
18. x !1=3 dx
2
SOLUTION First evaluate the integral on the finite interval Œ2; R! for R > 2:
Z ˇ
R 3 2=3 ˇˇR 3 % 2=3 &
x !1=3 dx D x ˇ D R ! 22=3 :
2 2 2 2

Now compute the limit as R ! 1:

Z Z
1 R 3 % 2=3 &
x !1=3 dx D lim x !1=3 dx D lim R ! 22=3 D 1I
2 R!1 2 R!1 2

thus, the integral does not converge.

Z 1
19. e !3x dx
4
 S E C T I O N 7.6 Improper Integrals 895

SOLUTION First evaluate the integral on the finite interval Œ4; R! for R > 4:

Z ˇR
R
!3x e !3x ˇˇ 1% & 1 % !12 &
e dx D ˇ D ! e !3R ! e !12 D e ! e !3R :
4 !3 ˇ 3 3
4

Now compute the limit as R ! 1:

Z Z
1 R 1 % !12 & 1 % !12 & 1
e !3x dx D lim e !3x dx D lim e ! e !3R D e ! 0 D 12 :
4 R!1 4 R!1 3 3 3e
Z 1
20. e 3x dx
4
SOLUTION First evaluate the integral on the finite interval Œ4; R! for R > 4:

Z ˇR
R
3x e 3x ˇˇ 1 % 3R &
e dx D ˇ D e ! e 12 :
4 3 ˇ 3
4

Now compute the limit as R ! 1:

Z Z
1 R 1 % 3R &
e 3x dx D lim e 3x dx D lim e ! e 12 D 1I
4 R!1 4 R!1 3

thus, the integral does not converge.

Z 0
21. e 3x dx
!1
SOLUTION First evaluate the integral on the finite interval ŒR; 0! for R < 0:

Z ˇ0
0
3x e 3x ˇˇ 1 e 3R
e dx D ˇ D ! :
R 3 ˇ 3 3
R

Now compute the limit as R ! !1:

Z Z !
0 0 1 e 3R 1 1
3x 3x
e dx D lim e dx D lim ! D !0 D :
!1 R!!1 R R!!1 3 3 3 3
Z 2 dx
22.
1 .x ! 1/2
SOLUTION The function .x ! 1/!2 is infinite at x D 1, so we first evaluate the integral on the interval ŒR; 2! for 1 < R < 2:

Z ˇ2
2 dx .x ! 1/!1 ˇˇ !1 !1 1
D ˇ D ! D ! 1:
R .x ! 1/2 !1 ˇ 1 R!1 R!1
R

Now compute the limit as R ! 1C :

Z 2 Z 2 # $
dx dx 1
D lim D lim ! 1 D 1I
1 .x ! 1/2 R!1C R .x ! 1/2 R!1C R!1
thus, the integral does not converge.
Z 3
dx
23. p
1 3!x
p
SOLUTION The function f .x/ D 1= 3 ! x is infinite at x D 3, so we first evaluate the integral on the interval Œ1; R! for
1 < R < 3:
Z R ˇR
dx p ˇ p p
p D !2 3 ! x ˇˇ D !2 3 ! R C 2 2:
1 3!x 1

Now compute the limit as R ! 3! :

Z 3 Z R p p
dx dx
p D lim p D 0 C 2 2 D 2 2:
1 3!x R!3! 1 3!x
896 CHAPTER 7 TECHNIQUES OF INTEGRATION

Z 4 dx
24.
!2 .x C 2/1=3
SOLUTION The function .x C 2/!1=3 is infinite at x D !2, so we’ll first evaluate the integral on the interval ŒR; 4! for !2 <
R < 4:
Z ˇ4
4 dx 3 ˇ 3 % 2=3 &
D .x C 2/2=3 ˇˇ D 6 ! .R C 2/2=3 :
R .x C 2/1=3 2 R 2

Now compute the limit as R ! !2C :

Z Z
4 dx 4 dx 3 % 2=3 2=3
& 3 % 2=3 & 3 $ 62=3
D lim D lim 6 ! .R C 2/ D 6 ! 0 D :
!2 .x C 2/1=3 R!!2C R .x C 2/1=3 R!2C 2 2 2
Z 1 dx
25.
0 1Cx
SOLUTION First evaluate the integral on the finite interval Œ0; R! for R > 0:
Z R dx ˇR
D ln j1 C xjˇ0 D ln j1 C Rj ! ln 1 D ln j1 C Rj:
0 1Cx
Now compute the limit as R ! 1:
Z 1 Z R
dx dx
D lim D lim ln j1 C Rj D 1I
0 1Cx R!1 0 1Cx R!1

thus, the integral does not converge.

Z 0
2
26. xe !x dx
!1
SOLUTION First evaluate the indefinite integral using substitution, with u D !x 2 , du D !2x dx. This gives us
Z Z Z
2 1 2 1 1 1 2
xe !x dx D ! e !x .!2x dx/ D ! e u du D ! e u C C D ! e !x C C:
2 2 2 2
Next, evaluate the integral on the finite interval ŒR; 0! for R < 0:
Z ˇ0
0 2 1 2ˇ 1% 2
&
xe !x dx D ! e !x ˇˇ D ! 1 ! e !R :
R 2 R 2

Finally, compute the limit as R ! !1:

Z 0 Z
2
0 2 1 % !R2 & 1 1
xe !x dx D lim xe !x dx D lim e ! 1 D .0 ! 1/ D ! :
!1 R!!1 R R!!1 2 2 2
Z 1 x dx
27.
0 .1 C x 2 /2
SOLUTION First evaluate the indefinite integral, using the substitution u D x 2 , du D 2x dx; then
Z Z
x dx 1 1 1 1
D du D ! CC D! CC
.1 C x 2 /2 2 .1 C u/2 2.u C 1/ 2.x 2 C 1/
Thus, for R > 0,
Z R # $ ˇR
x dx 1 ˇ 1 1
D ! ˇ D! C
0 .x 2 C 1/2 2.x 2 C 1/ ˇ0 2.R2 C 1/ 2

and thus in the limit

Z 1 Z R
x dx x dx 1 1 1
D lim D ! lim D
0 .x 2 C 1/2 R!1 0 .x 2 C 1/2 2 R!1 2.R2 C 1/ 2
Z 6 x dx
28. p
3 x !3
SOLUTION First, evaluate the indefinite integral using the substitution u D x ! 3, du D dx:
Z Z
x uC3 2 2
p dx D p du D u3=2 C 6u1=2 C C D .x ! 3/3=2 C 6.x ! 3/1=2 C C:
x!3 u 3 3
 S E C T I O N 7.6 Improper Integrals 897

Next, evaluate the definite integral over the interval ŒR; 6! for R > 3:
Z 6 # $ˇ6
x 2 ˇ 2 p 2
p dx D .x ! 3/3=2 C 6.x ! 3/1=2 ˇˇ D 33=2 C 6 3 ! .R ! 3/3=2 ! 6.R ! 3/1=2
R x !3 3 R 3 3
p 2
D 8 3 ! .R ! 3/3=2 ! 6.R ! 3/1=2 :
3
Finally, we compute the limit as R ! 3C :
Z 6 Z 6 # p $ p
x x 2
p dx D lim p dx D lim 8 3 ! .R ! 3/3=2 ! 6.R ! 3/1=2 D 8 3:
3 x !3 R!3C R x!3 R!3C 3
Z 1
29. e !x cos x dx
0
SOLUTION First evaluate the indefinite integral using Integration by Parts, with u D e !x , v 0 D cos x. Then u0 D !e !x ,
v D sin x, and
Z Z Z
e !x cos x dx D e !x sin x ! sin x.!e !x / dx D e !x sin x C e !x sin x dx:

Now use Integration by Parts again, with u D e !x , v 0 D sin x. Then u0 D !e !x , v D ! cos x, and
Z ' Z (
!x !x !x !x
e cos x dx D e sin x C !e cos x ! e cos x dx :
R
Solving this equation for e !x cos x dx, we find
Z
1
e !x cos x dx D e !x .sin x ! cos x/ C C:
2
Thus,
Z R ˇR
1 !x ˇ sin R ! cos R sin 0 ! cos 0 sin R ! cos R 1
e !x cos x dx D e .sin x ! cos x/ˇˇ D R
! D R
C ;
0 2 0 2e 2 2e 2
and
Z 1 # $
sin R ! cos R 1 1 1
e !x cos x dx D lim R
C D0C D :
0 R!1 2e 2 2 2
Z 1
!2x
30. xe dx
1
SOLUTION First evaluate the indefinite integral using Integration by Parts, with u D x and v 0 D e !2x . Then u0 D 1, v D
! 12 e !2x , and
Z Z # $ Z
!2x 1 1 !2x 1 1
xe dx D ! xe !2x ! ! e dx D ! e !2x C e !2x dx
2 2 2 2
1 1 1 !.2x C 1/
D ! xe !2x ! e !2x C C D ! e !2x .2x C 1/ C C D C C:
2 4 4 4e 2x
Therefore,
Z Z ˇ ! ' (
1
!2x
R
!2x !.2x C 1/ ˇˇR !.2R C 1/ 3
xe dx D lim xe dx D lim D lim C :
1 R!!1 1 R!1 4e 2x ˇ1 R!1 4e 2R 4e 2

Use L’Hôpital’s Rule to evaluate the limit:

Z 1
3 2 3 3
xe !2x dx D 2 ! lim D 2 !0 D 2:
1 4e R!1 8e 2R 4e 4e
Z 3
dx
31. p
0 9 ! x2
SOLUTION The function .9 ! x 2 /!1=2 is infinite at x D 3, so we’ll first evaluate the integral on the interval Œ0; R! for 0 < R < 3:
Z R dx x ˇˇR R R
p D sin!1 ˇ D sin!1 ! sin!1 0 D sin!1 :
0 9 ! x2 3 0 3 3
Thus,
Z 3 dx R "
p D lim sin!1 D sin!1 1 D :
0 9 ! x2 R!3! 3 2
898 CHAPTER 7 TECHNIQUES OF INTEGRATION

Z p
1 e x dx
32. p
0 x
p 1 !1=2
SOLUTION Let u D x, du D 2x dx. Then
Z p Z # $ Z
e x dx p dx p
x
p D2 e p D2 e u du D 2e u C C D 2e x
C C:
x 2 x
p
The function e x =px is infinite, so we first evaluate the integral on ŒR; 1! for 0 < R < 1:
Z p
1 e x dx p ˇ1 p
ˇ
p D 2e x ˇ D 2e ! 2e R :
R x R

Now we compute the limit as R ! 0C:

Z p
1 e x dx % p &
p D lim 2e ! 2e x D 2e ! 2.1/ D 2.e ! 1/:
0 x R!0C
Z p
1 e x dx
33. p
1 x
p 1 !1=2
SOLUTION Let u D x, du D 2x dx. Then
Z p Z # $ Z
e x dx p dx p
x
p D2 e p D2 e u du D 2e u C C D 2e x
C C;
x 2 x
and
Z p Z p
1 e dxx R e x dx p ˇR % p &
ˇ
p D lim p D lim 2e x ˇ D lim 2e R ! 2e D 1:
1 x R!1 1 x R!1 1 R!1

The integral does not converge.

Z !=2
34. sec # d#
0
!
SOLUTION First, evaluate the integral on the interval Œ0; R! for 0 < R < 2:
Z R ˇR
ˇ
sec # d# D ln j sec # C tan #jˇˇ D ln j sec R C tan Rj:
0 0
!!
Now we compute the limit as R ! 2 :
Z !=2 Z R
sec # d# D lim sec # d# D lim ln j sec R C tan Rj D 1:
0 R!!=2! 0 R!!=2!

The integral does not converge.

Z 1
35. sin x dx
0
SOLUTION First evaluate the integral on the finite interval Œ0; R! for R > 0:
Z R ˇR
ˇ
sin x dx D ! cos x ˇˇ D ! cos R C cos 0 D 1 ! cos R:
0 0

Thus,
Z R
sin x dx D lim .1 ! cos R/ D 1 ! lim cos R:
0 R!1 R!1

This limit does not exist, since the value of cos R oscillates between 1 and !1 as R approaches infinity. Hence the integral does not
converge.
Z !=2
36. tan x dx
0
 S E C T I O N 7.6 Improper Integrals 899

! !
SOLUTION The function tan x is infinite at x D 2, so we’ll first evaluate the integral on Œ0; R! for 0 < R < 2:
Z R ˇR
ˇ
tan x dx D ln j sec xjˇˇ D ln j sec Rj:
0 0

Thus,
Z !=2 Z R ! "
tan x dx D lim! ! tan x dx D lim! ! ln j sec Rj D 1:
0 R! 2 0 R! 2

The integral does not converge.

Z 1
37. ln x dx
0
SOLUTION The function ln x is infinite at x D 0, so we’ll first evaluate the integral on ŒR; 1! for 0 < R < 1. Use Integration by
Parts with u D ln x and v 0 D 1. Then u0 D 1=x, v D x, and we have
Z 1 ˇ1 Z 1 ˇ1
ˇ ˇ
ln x dx D x ln x ˇˇ ! dx D .x ln x ! x/ˇˇ D .ln 1 ! 1/ ! .R ln R ! R/ D R ! 1 ! R ln R:
R R R R

Thus,
Z 1
ln x dx D lim .R ! 1 ! R ln R/ D !1 ! lim R ln R:
0 R!0C R!0C

To compute the limit, rewrite the function as a quotient and apply L’Hôpital’s Rule:
Z 1 1
ln R R
ln x dx D !1 ! lim 1
D !1 ! lim !1
D !1 ! lim .!R/ D !1 ! 0 D !1:
0 R!0C R R!0C R!0C
R2
Z 2 dx
38.
1 x ln x
SOLUTION Evaluate the indefinite integral using substitution, with u D ln x, du D .1=x/ dx. Then
Z Z
dx du
D D ln juj C C D ln j ln xj C C:
x ln x u
Thus,
Z 2 dx ˇ2
D ln j ln xjˇR D ln.ln 2/ ! ln.ln R/;
R x ln x
and
Z 2 dx ) *
D lim ln.ln 2/ ! ln.ln R/ D ln.ln 2/ ! lim ln.ln R/ D 1:
1 x ln x R!1 C R!1C

The integral does not converge.

Z 1
ln x
39. 2
dx
0 x
SOLUTION Use Integration by Parts, with u D ln x and v 0 D x !2 . Then u0 D 1=x, v D !x !1 , and
Z Z
ln x 1 dx 1 1
dx D ! ln x C D ! ln x ! C C:
x2 x x2 x x
The function is infinite at x D 0, so we’ll first evaluate the integral on ŒR; 1! for 0 < R < 1:
Z # $ˇ # $ # $
1 ln x 1 1 ˇˇ1 1 1 1 1 1 1
dx D ! ln x ! D ! ln 1 ! ! ! ln R ! D ln R C ! 1:
a x2 x x ˇR 1 1 R R R R

Thus,
Z 1 ln x 1 1 ln R C 1
dx D lim ln R C ! 1 D !1 C lim D !1:
0 x2 R!0C R R R!0C R
The integral does not converge.
900 CHAPTER 7 TECHNIQUES OF INTEGRATION
Z 1 ln x
40. dx
1 x2
SOLUTION Use Integration by Parts, with u D ln x and v 0 D x !2 . Then u0 D x !1 , v D !x !1 , and
Z Z
ln x 1 1 1
dx D ! ln x C x !2 dx D ! ln x ! C C:
x2 x x x
Thus,
Z # $ˇ # $ # $
R ln x 1 1 ˇˇR 1 1 1 1 1 1
dx D ! ln x ! ˇ D ! ln R ! ! ! ln 1 ! D 1 ! ln R ! :
1 x2 x x 1 R R 1 1 R R
Use L’Hôpital’s Rule to compute the limit:
Z 1 # $ # $ 1
ln x 1 1 ln R R 0
dx D lim 1 ! ln R ! D 1 ! lim ! 0 D 1 ! lim D 1 ! D 1:
1 x2 R!1 R R R!1 R R!1 1 1
Z 1 dx
41. Let I D .
4 .x ! 2/.x ! 3/
(a) Show that for R > 4,
Z R ˇ ˇ
dx ˇR ! 3ˇ
D ln ˇˇ ˇ ! ln 1
4 .x ! 2/.x ! 3/ R ! 2ˇ 2
(b) Then show that I D ln 2.
SOLUTION
(a) The partial fraction decomposition takes the form
1 A B
D C :
.x ! 2/.x ! 3/ x!2 x!3
Clearing denominators gives us

1 D A.x ! 3/ C B.x ! 2/:

Setting x D 2 then yields A D !1, while setting x D 3 yields B D 1. Thus,

Z Z Z ˇ ˇ
dx dx dx ˇx ! 3ˇ
D ! ˇ
D ln jx ! 3j ! ln jx ! 2j C C D ln ˇ ˇ C C;
.x ! 2/.x ! 3/ x !3 x!2 x ! 2ˇ
and, for R > 4,
Z ˇ ˇˇ ˇ ˇ
R dx ˇ x ! 3 ˇˇR ˇ ˇ
D ln ˇˇ ˇˇ D ln ˇ R ! 3 ˇ ! ln 1 :
.x ! 2/.x ! 3/ x!2 4 ˇˇ ˇ R ! 2ˇ 2
4

(b) Using the result from part (a),

# ˇ ˇ $
ˇR ! 3ˇ
I D lim ln ˇˇ ˇ ! ln 1 D ln 1 ! ln 1 D ln 2:
R!1 R ! 2ˇ 2 2
Z 1 dx
42. Evaluate the integral I D .
1 x.2x C 5/
SOLUTION The partial fraction decomposition takes the form

1 A B
D C :
x.2x C 5/ x 2x C 5
Clearing denominators gives us

1 D A.2x C 5/ C Bx:

Setting x D 0 then yields A D 15 , while setting x D ! 52 yields B D ! 25 . Thus,

Z Z Z ˇ ˇ
dx 1 dx 2 dx 1 1 1 ˇ x ˇˇ
D ! D ln jxj ! ln j2x C 5j C C D ln ˇˇ C C;
x.2x C 5/ 5 x 5 2x C 5 5 5 5 2x C 5 ˇ
and, for R > 1,
Z ˇ ˇˇ ˇ ˇ
R dx 1 ˇ x ˇˇˇˇR 1 ˇˇ R ˇˇ 1 1
D ln ˇˇ D ln ! ln :
1 x.2x C 5/ 5 2x C 5 ˇˇ1 5 ˇ 2R C 5 ˇ 5 7
 S E C T I O N 7.6 Improper Integrals 901

Thus,
# ˇ ˇ $
1 ˇˇ R ˇˇ 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7
I D lim ln ˇ ! ln D ln ! ln D ln :
R!1 5 2R C 5 ˇ 5 7 5 2 5 7 5 2
Z 1 dx
43. Evaluate I D or state that it diverges.
0 x.2x C 5/
SOLUTION The partial fraction decomposition takes the form

1 A B
D C :
x.2x C 5/ x 2x C 5
Clearing denominators gives us

1 D A.2x C 5/ C Bx:

Setting x D 0 then yields A D 15 , while setting x D ! 52 yields B D ! 25 . Thus,

Z Z Z ˇ ˇ
dx 1 dx 2 dx 1 1 1 ˇ x ˇˇ
D ! D ln jxj ! ln j2x C 5j C C D ln ˇˇ C C;
x.2x C 5/ 5 x 5 2x C 5 5 5 5 2x C 5 ˇ
and, for 0 < R < 1,
Z ˇ ˇˇ ˇ ˇ
1 dx 1 ˇ x ˇˇˇˇ1 1 1 1 ˇˇ R ˇˇ
D ln ˇˇ D ln ! ln :
R x.2x C 5/ 5 2x C 5 ˇˇR 5 7 5 ˇ 2R C 5 ˇ

Thus,
# ˇ ˇ$
1 1 1 ˇˇ R ˇˇ
I D lim ln ! ln ˇ D 1:
R!0C 5 7 5 2R C 5 ˇ
The integral does not converge.
Z 1
dx
44. Evaluate I D or state that it diverges.
2 .x C 3/.x C 1/2
SOLUTION The partial fraction decomposition takes the form

1 A B C
2
D C C :
.x C 3/.x C 1/ xC3 xC1 .x C 1/2
Clearing denominators gives us

1 D A.x C 1/2 C B.x C 1/.x C 3/ C C.x C 3/:

Setting x D !3 then yields A D 14 , while setting x D !1 yields C D 12 . Setting x D 0 gives 1 D 14 C 3B C 32 or B D ! 14 . Thus,

Z Z Z Z
dx 1 dx 1 dx 1 dx
2
D ! C
.x C 3/.x C 1/ 4 xC3 4 xC1 2 .x C 1/2
ˇ ˇ
1 1 1 1 ˇ x C 3 ˇˇ 1
D ln jx C 3j ! ln jx C 1j ! C C D ln ˇˇ ! C C;
4 4 2.x C 1/ 4 x C 1 ˇ 2.x C 1/
and, for R > 2,
Z R # ˇ ˇ $ˇR ˇ ˇ
dx 1 ˇˇ x C 3 ˇˇ 1 ˇ
ˇ 1 ˇˇ R C 3 ˇˇ 1 1 5 1
D ln ! D ln ˇ ! ! ln C :
2 .x C 3/.x C 1/2 4 ˇ x C 1 ˇ 2.x C 1/ ˇ2 4 R C 1 ˇ 2.R C 1/ 4 3 6

Thus
# ˇ ˇ $
1 ˇˇ R C 3 ˇˇ 1 1 5 1 1 1 5
I D lim ln ˇ ! ! ln C D ! ln :
R!1 4 R C 1 ˇ 2.R C 1/ 4 3 6 6 4 3

In Exercises 45–48, determine whether the doubly infinite improper integral converges and, if so, evaluate it. Use definition (2).
Z 1
x dx
45. 2
!1 1 C x
902 CHAPTER 7 TECHNIQUES OF INTEGRATION

SOLUTION Using the substitution u D x 2 C 1, du D 2x dx, we obtain

Z
x dx 1
D ln.x 2 C 1/ C C:
1 C x2 2
Thus,
Z 1 Z R
x dx x dx 1
D lim D lim ln.R2 C 1/ D 1I
0 1 C x2 R!1 0 1Cx 2 R!1 2
Z 0 Z 0
x dx x dx 1
D lim D lim ln.R2 C 1/ D 1I
!1 1 C x2 R!!1 R 1 C x2 R!!1 2

It follows that
Z 1 x dx
!1 1 C x2
diverges.
Z 1
46. e !jxj dx
!1
SOLUTION First, we find
Z 1 Z 1 Z R % &
e !jxj dx D e !x dx D lim e !x dx D lim 1 ! e !R D 1I
0 0 R!1 0 R!1
Z 0 Z 0 Z 0 % &
e !jxj dx D e x dx D lim e x dx D lim 1 ! e R D 1I
!1 1 R!!1 R R!!1

and
Z 1
e !jxj dx D 1 C 1 D 2:
1
Z 1 2
47. xe !x dx
!1
SOLUTION First note that
Z
2 1 2
xe !x dx D ! e !x C C:
2
Thus,
Z 1 Z $ R #
2 1 1 !R2 1 2
xe !x dx D lim ! e D I xe !x dx D lim
0 R!1 0 R!1 2 2 2
Z 0 Z 0 # $
2 2 1 1 2 1
xe !x dx D lim xe !x dx D lim ! C e !R D ! I
!1 R!!1 R R!!1 2 2 2
and
Z 1 2 1 1
xe !x dx D ! D 0:
!1 2 2
Z 1 dx
48.
!1 .x C 1/3=2
2

SOLUTION First, we evaluate the indefinite integral using the trigonometric substitution x D tan #, dx D sec2 # d#. Then
Z Z Z
dx sec2 # x
D d# D cos # d# D sin # C C D p C C:
.1 C x 2 /3=2 sec3 # 1 C x2
Thus,
Z 1 Z R
dx dx R
D lim D lim p D 1I
0 .1 C x 2 /3=2 R!1 0 .1 C x 2 /3=2 R!1 1 C R2
Z 0 Z 0
dx dx R
D lim D lim ! p D 1I
!1 .1 C x 2 /3=2 R!!1 R 2
.1 C x / 3=2 R!!1 1 C R2
and
Z 1 dx
D 1 C 1 D 2:
1 .1 C x 2 /.3=2/
 S E C T I O N 7.6 Improper Integrals 903

Z 1 Z 0 Z 1
dx dx dx
49. Define J D as the sum of the two improper integrals C . Show that J converges and that
!1 x 1=3 !1 x 1=3 0 x 1=3
J D 0.
SOLUTION Note that since x !1=3 is an odd function, one might expect this integral over a symmetric interval to be zero. To prove
this, we start by evaluating the indefinite integral:
Z
dx 3
D x 2=3 C C
x 1=3 2
Then
Z Z ˇ
0 dx dx 3 2=3 ˇˇR
R 3 2=3 3 3
D lim D lim x ˇ D lim R ! D!
!1 x 1=3 R!0! !1 x
1=3 R!0 ! 2 !1 R!0 ! 2 2 2
Z 1 Z 1 ˇ1
dx dx 3 2=3 ˇˇ 3 3 2=3 3
D lim D lim x ˇ D ! lim R D
0 x 1=3 R!0C R x 1=3 R!0C 2 R 2 R!0 C 2 2
so that
Z 1 Z 0 Z 1
dx dx dx 3 3
J D D C D! C D0
!1 x 1=3 !1 x 1=3 0 x 1=3 2 2
Z 1 dx
50. Determine whether J D (defined as in Exercise 49) converges.
!1 x2
SOLUTION We have
Z
dx 1
2
D! CC
x x
so that
Z Z ˇ ! # $
0 dx dx R 1 ˇˇR 1 1
D lim D lim ! ˇ D lim ! C 1 D 1 ! lim D1
!1 x2 R!0! !1 x
2 R!0 ! x !1 R!0 ! R R!0 R!

Z Z 1 ˇ ! # $
1 dx dx 1 ˇˇ1 1 1
D lim D lim ! D lim !1 C D !1 C lim D1
0 x2 R!0C R x
2
R!0C x ˇR R!0C R R!0C R

so that the integral diverges.

Z 1
51. For which values of a does e ax dx converge?
0
SOLUTION First evaluate the integral on the finite interval Œ0; R! for R > 0:
Z ˇ
R 1 ax ˇˇR 1 % aR &
e ax dx D e ˇ D e !1 :
0 a 0 a
Thus,
Z 1 1 % aR &
e ax dx D lim e !1 :
0 R!1 a

If a > 0, then e aR ! 1 as R ! 1. If a < 0, then e aR ! 0 as R ! 1, and

Z 1
1 % aR & 1
e ax dx D lim e !1 D! :
0 R!1 a a
The integral converges for a < 0.
Z 1
dx
52. Show that p
converges if p < 1 and diverges if p " 1.
0 x
SOLUTION The function x !p is infinite at x D 0, so we’ll first evaluate the integral on ŒR; 1! for 0 < R < 1:
Z ˇ1
1 dx x !pC1 ˇˇ 1 % &
p
D ˇ D 1 ! R!pC1 :
R x !p C 1 ˇ !p C 1
R

If p < 1, then !p C 1 D 1 ! p > 0, and

Z 1
dx 1 % & 1 1
p
D lim 1 ! R1!p D .1 ! 0/ D :
0 x R!0C 1 ! p 1!p 1!p
904 CHAPTER 7 TECHNIQUES OF INTEGRATION

If p > 1, then !p C 1 < 0, and

Z 1 # $
dx 1 % 1!p
& 1 1
p
D lim 1!R D lim 1 ! p!1 D 1:
0 x R!0C 1 ! p R!0C 1 ! p a
If p D 1, then
Z 1 Z 1 ˇ1
dx dx ˇ
D D ln x ˇˇ D ln 1 ! ln R D ! ln RI and
R xp R x R
Z 1 dx
D lim .! ln R/ D 1:
0 x R!0C

Thus, the integral converges for p < 1 and diverges for p " 1.
1
53. Sketch the region under the graph of f .x/ D for !1 < x < 1, and show that its area is ".
1 C x2
SOLUTION The graph is shown below.

1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
x
−4 −2 2 4

Since .1 C x 2 /!1 is an even function, we can first compute the area under the graph for x > 0:
Z R ˇR
dx !1 ˇ
2
D tan x ˇ D tan!1 R ! tan!1 0 D tan!1 R:
0 1Cx 0

Thus,
Z 1 dx "
D lim tan!1 R D :
0 1 C x2 R!1 2
By symmetry, we have
Z 1 Z 0 Z 1
dx dxdx " "
D C
D C D ":
!1 1 C x2 !1 1 C x2
1 C x2 2 2 0
Z 1
1 1 dx
54. Show that p # 2 for all x, and use this to prove that p converges.
x4 C 1 x 1 x4 C 1
p p
SOLUTION Since x 4 C 1 " x 4 D x 2 , it follows that

1 1
p # 2:
x4 C 1 x
The integral
Z 1 dx
1 x2
converges by Theorem 2, since 2 > 1. Therefore, by the comparison test,
Z 1
dx
p converges:
1 x4 C 1
Z 1 Z 1
dx
55. Show that converges by comparing with x !3 dx.
1 x3 C 4 1
Z 1
SOLUTION The integral x !3 dx converges because 3 > 1. Since x 3 C 4 " x 3 , it follows that
1

1 1
# 3:
x3 C 4 x
Therefore, by the comparison test,
Z 1 dx
converges:
1 x3 C 4
 S E C T I O N 7.6 Improper Integrals 905
Z 1
dx
56.Z Show that converges by comparing with
1 2 x3 ! 4
!3
2x dx.
2
Z 1 Z 1
SOLUTION The integral x !3 dx converges because 3 > 1. If x !3 dx D M < 1, then
1 1
Z 1 Z 1
2x !3 dx D 2 x !3 dx D 2M
1 1

also converges. If x " 2, then x 3 " 8 so 2x 3 ! 8 " x 3 and x 3 ! 4 " 12 x 3 . Then we have, for x " 2,

1 2
# 3:
x3 ! 4 x
Therefore, by the comparison test:
Z 1 dx
converges:
2 x3 ! 4
2 R1 2
57. Show that 0 # # e !x e !x
for x " 1 (Figure 1). Use the Comparison Test to show that 0 e !x dx converges.
Hint: It suffices (why?) to make the comparison for x " 1 because
Z 1 Z 1 Z 1
2 2 2
e !x dx D e !x dx C e !x dx
0 0 1

y
1 y = e −x
2

y = e −|x|

x
−4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4
2
FIGURE 1 Comparison of y D e !jxj and y D e !x .

2
SOLUTION For x " 1, x 2 " x, so !x 2 # !x and e !x # e !x . Now
Z 1 Z 1
2
e !x dx converges; so e !x dx converges
1 1
2
by the comparison test. Finally, because e !x is continuous on Œ0; 1!,
Z 1
2
e !x dx converges:
0

We conclude that our integral converges by writing it as a sum:

Z 1 Z 1 Z 1
2 2 2
e !x dx D e !x dx C e !x dx
0 0 1
Z 1 Z 1
!x 2
58. Prove that e dx converges by comparing with e !jxj dx (Figure 1).
!1 !1
2
SOLUTION From Figure 1, we see that for jxj " 1, e !x # e !jxj . Now
Z !1 Z 1
e !jxj dx and e !jxj dx
!1 1

both converge, so
Z !1 Z 1
2 2
e !x dx and e !x dx
!1 1

must also converge by the comparison test. Because e !x 2

is continuous on Œ!1; 1!, it follows that
Z 1 Z !1 Z 1 Z 1
2 2 2 2
e !x dx D e !x dx C e !x dx C e !x dx
!1 !1 !1 1
converges.
906 CHAPTER 7 TECHNIQUES OF INTEGRATION
Z 1
1 ! sin x
59. Show that dx converges.
x2 1
Z 1
1 ! sin x 2
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D . Since f .x/ # and 2x !2 dx D 2, it follows that
x2 x2 1
Z 1
1 ! sin x
dx converges
1 x2
by the comparison test.
xa
60. Let a > 0. Recall that lim D 1 (by Exercise 64 in Section 4.5).
x!1 ln x
a
(a) Show that x > 2 ln x for all x sufficiently large.
a
(b) Show that eZ!x < x !2 for all x sufficiently large.
1 a
(c) Show that e !x dx converges.
1
SOLUTION
(a) Since lim x a = ln x D 1, there must be some number M > 0 such that, for all x > M ,
x!1

xa
> 2:
ln x
But this means that, for all x > M ,
x a > 2 ln x:

(b) For all x > M , we have x a > 2 ln x. Then

!x a < !2 ln x D ln x !2

so that
a !2
e !x < e ln x D x !2 :
(c) By the above calculations, we can use the comparison test on the interval ŒM; 1/:
Z 1 Z 1
dx a
2
converges ) e !x dx also converges:
M x M
a
Since e !x is continuous on Œ1; M !, we have that
Z 1 Z 1
a a
e !x dx converges ) e !x dx also converges:
M 1

In Exercises 61–74, use the Comparison Test to determine whether or not the integral converges.
Z 1
1
61. p dx
1 5
x C2
p p
SOLUTION Since x 5 C 2 " x 5 D x 5=2 , it follows that

1 1
p # :
x5 C 2 x 5=2
Z 1
The integral dx=x 5=2 converges because 5
2 > 1. Therefore, by the comparison test:
1
Z 1 dx
p also converges:
1 x5 C 2
Z 1 dx
62.
.x 3 C 2x C 4/1=2
1
p p
SOLUTION For all x " 1, x 3 C 2x C 4 " x 3 D x 3=2 . Thus

1 1
p # :
x3 C 2x C 4 x 3=2
Z 1
The integral dx=x 3=2 converges because 3
2 > 1. Therefore, by the comparison test,
1
Z 1 dx
p also converges:
1 x 3 C 2x C 4
 S E C T I O N 7.6 Improper Integrals 907
Z 1 dx
63. p
3 x!1
p p
SOLUTION Since x" x ! 1, we have (for x > 1)

1 1
p # p :
x x !1
Z 1 Z 1
p
The integral dx= x D dx=x 1=2 diverges because 1
2 < 1. Since the function x !1=2 is continuous (and therefore finite)
1 Z 1
1
on Œ1; 3!, we also know that dx=x 1=2 diverges. Therefore, by the comparison test,
3
Z 1 dx
p also diverges:
3 x !1
Z 5 dx
64.
0 x 1=3 C x3
SOLUTION For 0 # x # 5, x 1=3 C x 3 " x 1=3 , so that

1 1
# 1=3 :
x 1=3 Cx 3 x
Z 5
The integral x !1=3 dx converges; therefore, by the comparison test
0
Z 5 dx
also converges.
0 x 1=3 C x3
Z 1
!.xCx !1 /
65. e dx
1
1 1
SOLUTION For all x " 1, x > 0 so x C x " x. Then
! " !1 /
! x C x !1 # !x and e !.xCx # e !x :
Z 1
The integral e !x dx converges by direct computation:
1
Z 1 Z R ˇR
ˇ
e !x dx D lim e !x dx D lim !e !x ˇˇ D lim !e !R C e !1 D 0 C e !1 D e !1 :
1 R!1 1 R!1 1 R!1

Therefore, by the comparison test,

Z 1 !1 /
e !.xCx also converges:
1
Z 1 j sin xj
66. p dx
0 x
SOLUTION For all x, j sin xj # 1. Therefore, for x ¤ 0,

j sin xj 1
p # p :
x x
The integral
Z 1 Z 1
dx dx
p D
0 x 0 x 1=2
1
converges, since 2 < 1. Therefore, by the comparison test,
Z 1 j sin xj
p dx also converges:
0 x
Z 1 ex
67. dx
0 x2
908 CHAPTER 7 TECHNIQUES OF INTEGRATION

SOLUTION For 0 < x < 1, e x > 1, and therefore

1 ex
< :
x2 x2
Z 1
The integral dx=x 2 diverges since 2 > 1. Therefore, by the comparison test,
0
Z 1 ex
also diverges:
0 x2
Z 1 1
68. dx
1 x 4 C ex
SOLUTION For x > 1, x 4 C e x " x 4 , and

1 1
# 4:
x 4 C ex x
Z 1
The integral dx=x 4 converges, since 4 > 1. Therefore, by the comparison test,
0
Z 1 dx
also converges:
1 x 4 C ex
Z 1 1
69. p dx
0 x4 C x
p p
SOLUTION For 0 < x < 1, x 4 C x" x, and

1 1
p # p :
x4 C x x
Z 1 p 1
The integral .1= x/ dx converges, since p D 2 < 1. Therefore, by the comparison test,
0
Z 1 dx
p also converges:
0 x4 C x
Z 1 ln x
70. dx
1 sinh x
SOLUTION For x > 1, e !x < 12 e x , so

e x ! e !x 1
sinh x D " ex :
2 4
Similarly, ln x < x for all x > 1, so
ln x 4x
# x for all x " 1:
sinh x e
Because
Z 1 ˇ1 Z 1
ˇ 8
4xe !x dx D !4xe !x ˇˇ C 4e !x dx D ;
1 1 1 e
it follows by the comparison test that
Z 1 ln x
dx converges:
1 sinh x
Z 1 dx
71. p
0 x 1=3 C x 3
SOLUTION Note that
Z 1 Z 1 Z 1
dx dx dx
p D p C p
0 x 1=3 C x 3 0 x 1=3 C x 3 1 x 1=3 C x 3
p p
For the first integral, for x " 0; x 1=3 C x 3 " x 1=3 D x 1=6 ; so that
1 1
p # 1=6
x 1=3 C x 3 x
 S E C T I O N 7.6 Improper Integrals 909

The integral
Z 1
x !1=6 dx
0

converges since p D 1=6 # 1. Therefore, by the comparison test,

Z 1
dx
p also converges.
0 x 1=3 C x 3
p p
For the second integral, for x " 0, x 1=3 C x 3 " x 3 D x 3=2 , so that
1 1
p #
x 1=3 C x 3 x 3=2
Z 1
The integral x !3=2 dx converges since p D 3=2 > 1. Therefore, by the comparison test,
1
Z
1
p dx also converges.
x 1=3 C x3
Since both parts of the original integral converge, so does the entire integral.
Z 1
dx
72.
0 .8x C x 4 /1=3
2

SOLUTION Note that

Z 1 Z 1 Z 1
dx dx dx
D C
0 .8x C x 4 /1=3
2 0 .8x C x 4 /1=3
2 1 .8x 2 C x 4 /1=3

For the first integral, clearly 8x 2 C x 4 " 8x 2 ; so that

1 1
#
.8x 2 C x 4 /1=3 .8x 2 /1=3
Thus
Z 1 Z 1 Z 1
1 1 1 1
dx # dx D dx
0 .8x 2 C x 4 / 0 .8x 2 /1=3 2 0 x 2=3
Z 1
But x !2=3 dx converges since p D 2=3 < 1. Therefore, by the comparison test,
0
Z 1 1
dx also converges.
0 .8x 2 C x 4 /1=3
1 1
For the second integral, 8x 2 C x 4 " x 4 , so that .8x 2 Cx 4 /1=3
# .x 4 /1=3
. Thus
Z 1 Z 1 Z 1
1 1 1
dx # dx D dx
1 .8x 2 C x 4 /1=3 1 .x 4 /1=3 1 x 4=3
R1 1
1 dx converges since p D 4=3 > 1. Therefore, by the comparison test,
x 4=3
Z 1 1
dx also converges.
1 .8x 2 C x 4 /1=3
Since both parts of the original integral converge, so does the entire integral.
Z 1
dx
73.
0 .x C x 2 /1=3
SOLUTION Note that
Z 1 Z 1 Z 1
dx dx dx
D C
0 .x C x 2 /1=3 0 .x C x 2 /1=3 1 .x C x 2 /1=3

Examining the second integral, for x " 1; x # x 2 so that x C x 2 # 2x 2 ; then

Z 1 Z 1 Z 1
1 1 1 1
dx " dx D dx
1 .x C x 2 /1=3 1 .2x 2 /1=3 21=3 1 x 2=3
910 CHAPTER 7 TECHNIQUES OF INTEGRATION
Z 1 1
But dx diverges since p D 2=3 < 1. Therefore, by the comparison test,
1 x 2=3
Z 1
1
2 /1=3
dx diverges as well.
1 .x C x
Therefore, the original integral must diverge.
Z 1
dx
74. x C x2
0 xe
SOLUTION Note that
Z 1 Z 1 Z 1
dx dx dx
D C
0 xe x C x 2 0 xe x C x 2 1 xe x C x 2

xe x C x 2 D x.e x C x/I examining the first integral, for 0 # x # 1; e x # e 1 D e and x # 1, so that x.e x C x/ # x.e C 1/: It
follows that
Z 1 Z 1 Z 1
1 1 1 1
x 2
dx " dx D dx
0 xe C x 0 x.e C 1/ eC1 0 x
Z 1
1
But dx diverges since p D 1. Therefore, by the comparison test,
0 x
Z 1
1
x C x2
dx diverges as well.
0 xe
Thefore the original integral must diverge.
Hint for Exercise 73: Show that for x " 1,
1 1
"
.x C x 2 /1=3 21=3 x 2=3

Hint for Exercise 74: Show that for 0 # x # 1,

1 1
"
xe x C x 2 .e C 1/x
Z 1 dx
75. Define J D as the sum of the two improper integrals
0 x 1=2 .x C 1/
Z 1 Z 1
dx dx
C
0 x 1=2 .x C 1/ 1 x 1=2 .x C 1/
Use the Comparison Test to show that J converges.
SOLUTION For the first integral, note that for 0 # x # 1, we have 1 # 1 C x, so that x 1=2 .x C 1/ " x 1=2 . It follows that
Z 1 Z 1
1 1
dx # dx
0 x 1=2 .x C 1/ 0 x 1=2
which converges since p D 1=2 < 1. Thus the first integral converges by the comparison test. For the second integral, for 1 # x,
we have x 1=2 .x C 1/ D x 3=2 C x 1=2 " x 3=2 , so that
Z 1 Z 1 Z 1
1 1 1
dx D dx # dx
1 x 1=2 .x C 1/ 1 x 3=2 C x 1=2 1 x 3=2
which converges since p D 3=2 > 1. Thus the second integral converges as well by the comparison test, and therefore J , which is
the sum of the two, converges.
Z 1
dx
76. Determine whether J D (defined as in Exercise 75) converges.
0 3=2
x .x C 1/
SOLUTION We have x 3=2 .x C 1/ D x 5=2 C x 3=2 . For 0 # x # 1, x 5=2 # x 3=2 , so that x 5=2 C x 3=2 # 2x 3=2 . Then
Z 1 Z 1 Z 1 Z
1 1 1 1 1 1
dx D dx " dx D dx
0 x 3=2 .x C 1/
0 x 5=2 C x 3=2 0 2x 3=2 2 0 x 3=2
Z 1
1
But this integral diverges since p D 3=2 > 1. By the comparison test, dx diverges as well, so that J diverges.
0 x 3=2 .x C 1/
 S E C T I O N 7.6 Improper Integrals 911

77. An investment pays a dividend of $250/year continuously forever. If the interest rate is 7%, what is the present value of the
entire income stream generated by the investment?
SOLUTION The present value of the income stream after T years is

Z ˇT
T
!0:07t 250e !0:07t ˇˇ !250 % !0:07T & 250 % &
250e dt D ˇ D e !1 D 1 ! e !0:07T :
0 !0:07 ˇ 0:07 0:07
0

Therefore the present value of the entire income stream is

Z Z
1 T 250 % & 250 250
250e !0:07t D lim 250e !0:07t D lim 1 ! e !0:07T D .1 ! 0/ D D $3571:43:
0 T !1 0 T !1 0:07 0:07 0:07
78. An investment is expected to earn profits at a rate of 10;000e 0:01t dollars per year forever. Find the present value of the income
stream if the interest rate is 4%.
SOLUTION The present value of the income stream after T years is
Z % & Z ˇ % &
T T 10;000 !0:03t ˇˇT
10;000e 0:01t e !0:04t dt D 10;000 e !0:03t dt D e ˇ D !333;333:33 e !0:03t ! 1 :
0 0 !0:03 0

Therefore the present value of the entire income stream is

Z 1 % &
10;000e !0:03t D lim 333;333:33 1 ! e !0:03t D $333;333:33:
0 T !1

79. Compute the present value of an investment that generates income at a rate of 5000te 0:01t dollars per year forever, assuming
an interest rate of 6%.
SOLUTION The present value of the income stream after T years is
Z T % & Z T
5000te 0:01t e !0:06t dt D 5000 te !0:05t dt
0 0

Compute the indefinite integral using Integration by Parts, with u D t and v 0 D e !0:05t . Then u0 D 1, v D .!1=0:05/e !0:05t , and
Z Z
!t !0:05t 1 20 !0:05t
te !0:05t dt D e C e !0:05t dt D !20te !0:05t C e CC
0:05 0:05 !0:05
D e !0:05t .!20t ! 400/ C C:

Thus,
Z T ˇT
5000 te !0:05t dt D 5000e !0:05t .!20t ! 400/ˇ0 D 5000e !0:05T .!20T ! 400/ ! 5000.!400/
0

D 2;000;000 ! 5000e !0:05T .20T C 400/:

Use L’Hôpital’s Rule to compute the limit:

# $
5000.20T C 400/ 5000.20/
lim 2;000;000 ! 0:05T
D 2;000;000 ! lim D 2;000;000 ! 0 D $2;000;000:
T !1 e T !1 0:05e 0:05T
80. Find the volume of the solid obtained by rotating the region below the graph of y D e !x about the x-axis for 0 # x < 1.
SOLUTION Using the disk method, the volume is given by
Z 1 Z 1
! "2
V D " e !x dx D " e !2x dx:
0 0

First compute the volume over a finite interval:

Z R !" !2x ˇˇR !" % !2R & "% &
" e !2x dx D e ˇ D e !1 D 1 ! e !2R :
0 2 0 2 2
Thus,
Z R "% & " "
V D lim " e !2x dx D lim 1 ! e !2R D .1 ! 0/ D :
R!1 0 R!1 2 2 2
912 CHAPTER 7 TECHNIQUES OF INTEGRATION

81. The solid S obtained by rotating the region below the graph of y D x !1 about the x-axis for 1 # x < 1 is called Gabriel’s
Horn (Figure 2).
(a) Use the Disk Method (Section 6.3) to compute the volume of S. Note that the volume is finite even though S is an infinite
region.
(b) It can be shown that the surface area of S is
Z 1 p
A D 2" x !1 1 C x !4 dx
1

Show that A is infinite. If S were a container, you could fill its interior with a finite amount of paint, but you could not paint its
surface with a finite amount of paint.

y = x −1

FIGURE 2

SOLUTION
(a) The volume is given by
Z 1 # $2
1
V D " dx:
1 x
First compute the volume over a finite interval:
Z # $2 Z R ˇR # $ # $
R 1 !2 x !1 ˇˇ !1 !1 1
" dx D " x dx D " ˇ D" ! D" 1! :
1 x 1 !1 ˇ R 1 R
1

Thus,
Z 1 # $
1
V D lim "x !2 dx D lim " 1 ! D ":
R!1 1 R!1 R
(b) For x > 1, we have
r s p p
1 1 1 x4 C 1 x4 C 1 x4 x2 1
1C 4 D D " D 3 D :
x x x x4 x 3 x 3 x x
Z 1 1
The integral dx diverges, since p D 1 " 1. Therefore, by the comparison test,
1 x
Z 1 r
1 1
1 C 4 dx also diverges:
1 x x
Finally,
Z r
1 1 1
A D 2" 1C dx
1 x x4
diverges.
82. Compute the volume of the solid obtained by rotating the region below the graph of y D e !jxj=2 about the x-axis for !1 <
x < 1.
 S E C T I O N 7.6 Improper Integrals 913

SOLUTION The graph of y is symmetric around the y-axis, so it suffices to compute the volume for 0 # x # 1, where we have
y D e !x=2 . Using the disk method,
Z 1 % &2 Z 1 Z R
V D2 " e !x=2 dx D 2" e !x dx D 2" lim e !x dx
0 0 R!1 0
ˇR
ˇ
!x ˇ
D ! lim 2"e ˇ D !2" lim .e !R ! 1/ D 2"
R!1 R!1 0

Therefore V D 2".
83. When a capacitor of capacitance C is charged by a source of voltage V , the power expended at time t is

V 2 !t =RC
P .t/ D .e ! e !2t =RC /
R
where R is the resistance in the circuit. The total energy stored in the capacitor is
Z 1
W D P .t/ dt
0
1 2
Show that W D 2CV .
SOLUTION The total energy contained after the capacitor is fully charged is
Z 1% &
V2
W D e !t =RC ! e !2t =RC dt:
R 0

The energy after a finite amount of time .t D T / is

Z # $ˇT
V2 T %
!t =RC !2t =RC
& V2 !t =RCRC !2t =RC ˇˇ
e !e dt D !RC e C e ˇ
R 0 R 2 ˇ
0
'# $ # $(
1 1
D V 2C !e !T =RC C e !2T =RC ! !1 C
2 2
# $
1 1
D CV 2 ! e !T =RC C e !2T =RC :
2 2
Thus,
# $ # $
1 1 1 1
W D lim C V 2 ! e !T =RC C e !2T =RC D CV 2 ! 0 C 0 D C V 2:
T !1 2 2 2 2
Z 1=2 dx
84. For which integers p does converge?
0 x.ln x/p
SOLUTION If p D 1, the integral diverges. By substituting u D ln x and du D dx=x, we get
Z Z
dx du
D D ln juj C C D ln j ln xj C C;
x.ln x/ u
so
Z 1=2 ˇ1=2
dx ˇ
D lim .ln j ln xj/ ˇˇ D lim .ln j ln.1=2/j ! ln j ln Rj/ ;
0 x.ln x/ R!0C R R!0C

which is infinite.
1
Now, suppose p ¤ 1. Using the substitution u D ln x, so that du D x dx, the integral becomes
Z 1=2 Z xD1=2 Z xD1=2 ˇxD1=2
dx du 1 ˇ
D D u!p du D u!pC1 ˇˇ
R x.ln x/p xDR up xDR p!1 xDR
ˇ1=2
1 ˇ
!pC1 ˇ 1 1
D .ln x/ ˇ D .ln.1=2//!pC1 ! .ln.R//!pC1 :
p!1 R p ! 1 p ! 1
By definition,
Z 1=2 Z 1=2 ' (
dx dx 1 !pC1 1 !pC1
D lim D lim .ln.1=2// ! .ln R/ :
0 x.ln x/p R!0C R x.ln x/p R!0C p ! 1 p!1
1
If p > 1, lim .ln R/!pC1 D lim p!1 D 0. If p < 1, lim .ln R/1!p D 1. Therefore, the integral diverges if p < 1 or
R!0C R!0 .ln R/ R!0C
p D 1, and converges if p > 1.
914 CHAPTER 7 TECHNIQUES OF INTEGRATION

85. Conservation of Energy can be used to show that when a mass m oscillates at the end of a spring with spring constant k, the
period of oscillation is
Z p
p 2E=k dx
T D4 m p
0 2E ! kx 2
p
where E is the total energy of the mass. Show that this is an improper integral with value T D 2" m=k.
p
SOLUTION The integrand is infinite at the upper limit of integration, x D 2E=k, so the integral is improper. Now, let
Z R Z R
p dx p 1 dx
T .R/ D 4 m p D 4 mp q
0 2E ! kx 2 2E 0k
1 ! . 2E /x 2
r r r ! r !
m 2E k p k
D4 sin!1 R D 4 m=k sin!1
R :
2E k 2E 2E

Therefore
r r
m !1 m
T D lim
p T .R/ D 4 sin .1/ D 2" :
R! 2E=k k k

In Exercises 86–89, the Laplace transform of a function f .x/ is the function Lf .s/ of the variable s defined by the improper
integral (if it converges):
Z 1
Lf .s/ D f .x/e !sx dx
0

Laplace transforms are widely used in physics and engineering.

86. Show that if f .x/ D C , where C is a constant, then Lf .s/ D C =s for s > 0.
SOLUTION If f .x/ D C , a constant, then the Laplace transform of f .x/ is
Z ˇ
1 !C !sx ˇˇR !C % !sR & !C C
Lf .s/ D C e !sx dx D lim
e ˇ D lim e !1 D .0 ! 1/ D :
0 R!1 s 0 R!1 s s s
˛
87. Show that if f .x/ D sin ˛x, then Lf .s/ D 2 .
s C ˛2
SOLUTION If f .x/ D sin ˛x, then the Laplace transform of f .x/ is
Z 1
Lf .s/ D e !sx sin ˛x dx
0

First evaluate the indefinite integral using Integration by Parts, with u D sin ˛x and v 0 D e !sx . Then u0 D ˛ cos ˛x, v D ! 1s e !sx ,
and
Z Z
1 ˛
e !sx sin ˛x dx D ! e !sx sin ˛x C e !sx cos ˛x dx:
s s
Use Integration by Parts again, with u D cos ˛x, v 0 D e !sx . Then u0 D !˛ sin ˛x, v D ! 1s e !sx , and
Z Z
1 ˛
e !sx cos ˛x dx D ! e !sx cos ˛x ! e !sx sin ˛x dx:
s s
R
Substituting this into the first equation and solving for e !sx sin ˛x dx, we get
Z Z
1 ˛ ˛2
e !sx sin ˛x dx D ! e !sx sin ˛x ! 2 e !sx cos ˛x ! 2 e !sx sin ˛x dx
s s s
% &
Z !e !sx 1s sin ˛x C s˛2 cos ˛x !e !sx .s sin ˛x C ˛ cos ˛x/
e !sx sin ˛x dx D % & D
1C ˛
2 s2 C ˛2
s2

Thus,
Z R ' ( ' (
1 s sin ˛R C ˛ cos ˛R 0 C ˛ 1 s sin ˛R C ˛ cos ˛R
e !sx sin ˛x dx D ! D ˛ ! :
0 s2 C ˛2 !e sR !1 s2 C ˛2 e sR
Finally we take the limit, noting the fact that, for all values of R, js sin ˛R C ˛ cos ˛Rj # s C j˛j
' (
1 s sin ˛R C ˛ cos ˛R 1 ˛
Lf .s/ D lim 2 ˛ ! D 2 .˛ ! 0/ D 2 :
R!1 s C ˛ 2 e sR s C ˛2 s C ˛2
 S E C T I O N 7.6 Improper Integrals 915

88. Compute Lf .s/, where f .x/ D e ˛x and s > ˛.

SOLUTION If f .x/ D e ˛x , where s > ˛, then the Laplace transform of f .x/ is
Z Z ˇ
1
˛x !sx
1
!.s!˛/x !1 !.s!˛/x ˇˇR !1 % !.s!˛/R &
Lf .s/ D e e dx D e dx D lim e ˇ D lim e !1 :
0 0 R!1 s ! ˛ 0 R!1 s ! ˛

Because s > ˛, !.s ! ˛/ < 0, which gives us

1 % & 1 1
lim 1 ! e !.s!˛/R D .1 ! 0/ D :
R!1 s ! ˛ s!˛ s!˛
The final answer is
1
Lf .s/ D :
s!˛
89. Compute Lf .s/, where f .x/ D cos ˛x and s > 0.
SOLUTION If f .x/ D cos ˛x, then the Laplace transform of f .x/ is
Z 1
Lf .x/ D e !sx cos ˛x dx
0

First evaluate the indefinite integral using Integration by Parts, with u D cos ˛x and v 0 ! e !sx . Then u0 D !˛ sin ˛x, v D
! 1s e !sx , and
Z Z
1 ˛
e !sx cos ˛x dx D ! e !sx cos ˛x ! e !sx sin ˛x dx:
s s

Use Integration by Parts again, with u D sin ˛x dx and v 0 D !e !sx . Then u0 D ˛ cos ˛x, v D ! 1s e !sx , and
Z Z
1 ˛
e !sx sin ˛x dx D ! e !sx sin ˛x C e !sx cos ˛x dx:
s s
R
Substituting this into the first equation and solving for e !sx cos ˛x dx, we get
Z ' Z (
1 ˛ 1 ˛
e !sx cos ˛x dx D ! e !sx cos ˛x ! ! e !sx sin ˛x C e !sx cos ˛ dx
s s s s
2 Z
1 ˛ ˛
D ! e !sx cos ˛x C 2 e !sx sin ˛x ! 2 e !sx cos ˛x dx
s s s
% &
Z e !sx s˛2 sin ˛x ! 1s cos ˛x e !sx .˛ sin ˛x ! s cos ˛x/
e !sx cos ˛x dx D D
1C ˛2 s2 C ˛2
s2

Thus,
Z R ' (
1 ˛ sin ˛R ! s cos ˛R 0 ! s
e !sx cos ˛x dx D ! :
0 s2 C ˛2 e sR 1

Finally we take the limit, noting the fact that, for all values of R, j˛ sin ˛R ! s cos ˛Rj # j˛j C s
' (
1 ˛ sin ˛R ! s cos ˛R 1 s
Lf .s/ D lim 2 2
s C D 2 2
.s C 0/ D 2 :
R!1 s C ˛ e sR s C˛ s C ˛2

90. When a radioactive substance decays, the fraction of atoms present at time t is f .t/ D e !kt , where k > 0 is the
R1
decay constant. It Rcan be shown that the average life of an atom (until it decays) is A D ! 0 tf 0 .t/ dt. Use Integration by Parts
1
to show that A D 0 f .t/ dt and compute A. What is the average decay time of radon-222, whose half-life is 3.825 days?
SOLUTION Let u D t, v 0 D f 0 .t/. Then u0 D 1, v D f .t/, and
Z 1 ˇ1 Z 1
ˇ
AD! tf .t/ dt D !tf .t/ˇˇ C
0
f .t/ dt:
0 0 0

Since f .t/ D e !kt , we have

ˇR
ˇ1 ˇ !R !1
!tf .t/ˇ0 D lim !te !kt ˇˇ D lim !Re !Rt C 0 D lim Rt D lim D 0:
R!1 0 R!1 R!1 e R!1 Re Rt
916 CHAPTER 7 TECHNIQUES OF INTEGRATION

Here we used L’Hôpital’s Rule to compute the limit. Thus

Z 1 Z 1
AD f .t/ dt D e !kt dt:
0 0

Now,
Z ˇR
R 1 ˇ 1 % !kR & 1% &
e !kt dt D ! e !kt ˇˇ D ! e !1 D 1 ! e !kR ;
0 k 0 k k
so
1% & 1 1
A D lim 1 ! e !kR D .1 ! 0/ D :
R!1 k k k

Because k has units of (time)!1 , A does in fact have the appropriate units of time. To find the average decay time of Radon-222,
we need to determine the decay constant k, given the half-life of 3.825 days. Recall that
ln 2
kD
tn
where tn is the half-life. Thus,
1 tn 3:825
AD D D % 5:518 days:
k ln 2 ln 2
Z 1
91. Let Jn D x n e !˛x dx, where n " 1 is an integer and ˛ > 0. Prove that
0
n
Jn D Jn!1
˛
and J0 D 1=˛. Use this to compute J4 . Show that Jn D nŠ=˛ nC1 .
SOLUTION Using Integration by Parts, with u D x n and v 0 D e !˛x , we get u0 D nx n!1 , v D ! ˛1 e !˛x , and
Z Z
1 n
x n e !˛x dx D ! x n e !˛x C x n!1 e !˛x dx:
˛ ˛
Thus,
Z # $ˇR Z
1 1 ˇ n 1 n!1 !˛x !Rn n
Jn D x n e !˛x dx D lim ! x n e !˛x ˇˇ C x e dx D lim ˛R
C 0 C Jn!1 :
0 R!1 ˛ 0 ˛ 0 R!1 ˛e ˛
Use L’Hôpital’s Rule repeatedly to compute the limit:

!Rn !nRn!1 !n.n ! 1/Rn!2 !n.n ! 1/.n ! 2/ $ $ $ .3/.2/.1/

lim ˛R
D lim 2 ˛R
D lim 3 ˛R
D $ $ $ D lim D 0:
R!1 ˛e R!1 ˛ e R!1 ˛ e R!1 ˛ nC1 e ˛R
Finally,
n n
Jn D 0 C Jn!1 D Jn!1 :
˛ ˛
J0 can be computed directly:
Z Z ˇR
1 R 1 ˇ 1 % !˛R & 1 1
J0 D e !˛x dx D lim e !˛x dx D lim ! e !˛x ˇˇ D lim ! e ! 1 D ! .0 ! 1/ D :
0 R!1 0 R!1 ˛ 0 R!1 ˛ ˛ ˛
With this starting point, we can work up to J4 :
# $
1 1 1 1
J1 D J0 D D 2I
˛ ˛ ˛ ˛
# $
2 2 1 2 2Š
J2 D J1 D D 3 D 2C1 I
˛ ˛ ˛2 ˛ ˛
# $
3 3 2 6 3Š
J3 D J2 D D 4 D 3C1 I
˛ ˛ ˛3 ˛ ˛
# $
4 4 6 24 4Š
J4 D J3 D D 5 D 4C1 :
˛ ˛ ˛4 ˛ ˛
We can use induction to prove the formula for Jn . If
.n ! 1/Š
Jn!1 D ;
˛n
 S E C T I O N 7.6 Improper Integrals 917

then we have
n n .n ! 1/Š nŠ
Jn D Jn!1 D $ D nC1 :
˛ ˛ ˛n ˛
xn
92. Let a > 0 and n > 1. Define f .x/ D for x ¤ 0 and f .0/ D 0.
e ax
!1
(a) Use L’Hôpital’s
R1 Rule to show that f .x/ is continuous at x D 0.
(b) Show that 0 f .x/ dx converges. Hint: Show that f .x/ # 2x n e !ax if x is large enough. Then use the Comparison Test and
Exercise 91.
SOLUTION
(a) Using L’Hôpital’s Rule, we find
xn nx n!1 0
lim D lim D D 0I
x!0 e ˛x ! 1 x!0 ˛e ˛x ˛
thus,
lim f .x/ D f .0/;
x!0

and f .x/ is continuous at x D 0.

(b) Since a > 0, lim e ax D 1. Therefore there will be some value of x, say x D M , such that, for all x " M , we’ll have
x!1
e ax " 2. With this, we have
1 1 1 1 1 1
# so C # 1 and 1 ! ˛x " :
e ax 2 e ax 2 e 2
Multiply this last inequality through by e ˛x to obtain
e ˛x 1 2 xn 2x n
e ˛x ! 1 " so # ˛x and # ˛x :
2 e ˛x!1 e e ˛x!1 e
From Exercise 91, we know that
Z 1 Z 1
x n e !˛x dx converges, so 2x n e !˛x dx also converges:
0 M
Therefore, by the comparison test,
Z 1 xn
dx also converges:
M e ˛x ! 1
Now, from part (a), we know that f .x/ is continuous on Œ0; M !, so
Z M
xn
˛x
dx
0 e !1
exists and is finite. Thus we have shown
Z 1 Z M Z 1
xn xn xn
˛x
dx D ˛x
dx C ˛x
dx converges:
0 e !1 0 e !1 M e !1
93. According to Planck’s Radiation Law, the amount of electromagnetic energy with frequency between % and % C &%
that is radiated by a so-called black body at temperature T is proportional to F .%/ &%, where
# $
8"h %3
F .%/ D 3
c e h"=kT !1
where c; h; k are physical constants. Use Exercise 92 to show that the total radiated energy
Z 1
ED F .%/ d%
0
is finite. To derive his law, Planck introduced the quantum hypothesis in 1900, which marked the birth of quantum mechanics.
SOLUTION The total radiated energy E is given by
Z 1 Z
8"h 1 %3
ED F .%/ d% D 3 d%:
0 c 0 e h"=kT ! 1
Let ˛ D h=kT . Then
Z 1
8"h %3
ED d%:
c3 0 e ˛" !1
Because ˛ > 0 and 8"h=c 3 is a constant, we know E is finite by Exercise 92.
918 CHAPTER 7 TECHNIQUES OF INTEGRATION

Further Insights and Challenges

Z 1
94. Let I D x p ln x dx.
0
(a) Show that I diverges for p D !1.
(b) Show that if p ¤ !1, then
Z # $
p x pC1 1
x ln x dx D ln x ! CC
pC1 pC1
(c) Use L’Hôpital’s Rule to show that I converges if p > !1 and diverges if p < !1.

SOLUTION
(a) If p D !1, then
Z 1 Z 1 ln x
I D x !1 ln x dx D dx:
0 0 x
Let u D ln x, du D .1=x/ dx. Then
Z Z
ln x u2 1
dx D u du D C C D .ln x/2 C C:
x 2 2
Thus,
Z 1 ln x 1 1 1
dx D .ln 1/2 ! .ln R/2 D ! .ln R/2 ;
R x 2 2 2
and
1
I D lim ! .ln R/2 D 1:
R!0C 2

The integral diverges for p D !1.

(b) If p ¤ 1, then use Integration by Parts, with u D ln x and v 0 D x p . Then u0 D 1=x, v D x pC1 =p C 1, and
Z
x pC1 1
Z % &#1$ x pC1 1
Z
x p ln x dx D ln x ! x pC1 dx D ln x ! x p dx
pC1 pC1 x pC1 pC1
! # $
x pC1 1 x pC1 x pC1 1
D ln x ! CC D ln x ! C C:
pC1 pC1 pC1 pC1 pC1

(c) Let p < !1. Then

Z # " $ # $#
1 1 1 RpC1 1
p
I D lim x ln x D lim ln 1 ! ! ln R !
R!0C R R!0C p C 1 pC1 pC1 pC1
!
!1 RpC1 RpC1
D lim 2
! ln R C :
R!0C .p C 1/ pC1 .p C 1/2

Since p < !1, p C 1 < 0, and we have

# $
!1 ln R 1
I D lim ! C D 1:
R!0C .p C 1/2 .p C 1/R!p!1 .p C 1/2 R!p!1
The integral diverges for p < !1. On the other hand, if p > !1, then p C 1 > 0, and
!1 1 1 !1 !1
I D C lim RpC1 ln R C lim RpC1 D C0 D :
.p C 1/2 p C 1 R!0C .p C 1/2 R!0C .p C 1/2 .p C 1/2
95. Let
Z x dt x
F .x/ D and G.x/ D
2 ln t ln x
F .x/
Verify that L’Hôpital’s Rule applies to the limit L D lim and evaluate L.
x!1 G.x/
 S E C T I O N 7.6 Improper Integrals 919

1
SOLUTION Because ln t < t for t > 2, we have > 1t for t > 2, and so
ln t
Z x Z x
dt dt
F .x/ D > D ln x ! ln 2
2 ln t 2 t
Thus, F .x/ ! 1 as x ! 1. Moreover, by L’Hôpital’s Rule
1
lim G.x/ D lim D lim x D 1:
x!1 x!1 1=x x!1

F .x/
Thus, lim is of the form 1=1, and L’Hôpital’s Rule applies. Finally,
x!1 G.x/
1
F .x/ ln x ln x 1
L D lim D lim ln x!1
D lim D lim D 1:
x!1 G.x/ x!1 x!1 ln x ! 1 x!1 1 ! .1= ln x/
.ln x/2

R1 R1
In Exercises 96–98, an improper integral I D a f .x/ dx is called absolutely convergent if a jf .x/j dx converges. It can be
shown that if I is absolutely convergent, then it is convergent.
Z 1
sin x
96. Show that dx is absolutely convergent.
1 x2
SOLUTION For all x, j sin xj # 1. This implies
ˇ ˇ
ˇ sin x ˇ j sin xj 1
ˇ ˇ
ˇ x2 ˇ D x2 # x2 :
Z 1
The integral x !2 dx converges because p D 2 > 1. Therefore, by the comparison test,
1
Z 1 ˇˇ sin x ˇˇ
ˇ ˇ
ˇ x 2 ˇ dx also converges:
1

Because the integral

Z 1 sin x
dx
1 x2
is absolutely convergent, it is also convergent.
Z 1
2
97. Show that e !x cos x dx is absolutely convergent.
1
Z 1 Z 1
2 2
SOLUTION By the result of Exercise 57, we know that e !x dx is convergent. Then e !x dx is also convergent.
0 1
Because j cos xj # 1 for all x, we have
ˇ ˇ ˇ ˇ ˇ ˇ
ˇ !x 2 ˇ ˇ 2ˇ ˇ 2ˇ 2
ˇe cos x ˇ D j cos xj ˇe !x ˇ # ˇe !x ˇ D e !x :

Therefore, by the comparison test, we have

Z 1ˇ ˇ
ˇ !x 2 ˇ
ˇe cos x ˇ dx also converges:
1
Z 1 2
Since e !x cos x dx converges absolutely, it itself converges.
1
R1
98. Let f .x/ D sin x=x and I D 0 f .x/ dx. We define f .0/ D 1. Then f .x/ is continuous and I is not improper at x D 0.
(a) Show that
Z ˇ Z R
R sin x cos x ˇˇR cos x
dx D ! ˇ ! dx
1 x x 1 1 x2
R1
(b) Show that 1 .cos x=x 2 / dx converges. Conclude that the limit as R ! 1 of the integral in (a) exists and is finite.
(c) Show that I converges.
920 CHAPTER 7 TECHNIQUES OF INTEGRATION

!
It is known that I D 2. However, I is not absolutely convergent. The convergence depends on cancellation, as shown in Figure 3.

y
1
y= x

1
sin x
y= x
x
1 2 3 7

−1
1
y=−x
R1
FIGURE 3 Convergence of 1 .sin x=x/ dx is due to the cancellation arising from the periodic change of sign.

SOLUTION
1
(a) Use Integration by Parts, with u D x and v 0 D sin x. Then u0 D !1=x 2 , v D ! cos x, and we have
Z Z R
R sin x ! cos x ˇˇR cos x
dx D ˇ ! dx:
1 x x 1 1 x2
(b) For all x, j cos xj # 1, and therefore
ˇ cos x ˇ j cos xj 1
ˇ ˇ
ˇ 2 ˇD 2
# 2:
x x x
Z 1
The integral x !2 dx converges, because p D 2 > 1. Therefore, by the comparison test,
1
Z 1 ˇ cos x ˇ
ˇ ˇ
ˇ ˇ dx also converges:
1 x2
Z 1
Because .cos x=x 2 / dx converges absolutely, it also converges. By this result,
1
Z " Z R # Z 1
R sin x ! cos R cos 1 cos x cos 1 cos x
lim dx D lim C ! 2
dx D 0 C ! dx D cos 1 ! M;
R!1 1 x R!1 R 1 1 x 1 0 x2
Z 1 Z 1
where M D .cos x=x 2 / dx, the existence of which was shown in the argument above. Therefore the integral .sin x=x/ dx
1 1
converges to a finite value.
(c) The integral can be split up as follows:
Z 1 Z 1 Z 1
sin x sin x sin x
dx D dx C dx:
0 x 0 x 1 x
The second integral converges by part (b). For the first integral, if we define f .0/ D 1, then the integrand is continuous on Œ0; 1!,
and therefore
Z 1
sin x
dx D N
0 x
where N is some finite value. Thus, we have shown that I converges.
99. The gamma function, which plays an important role in advanced applications, is defined for n " 1 by
Z 1
'.n/ D t n!1 e !t dt
0

(a) Show that the integral defining '.n/ converges for n " 1 (it actually converges for all n > 0). Hint: Show that t n!1 e !t < t !2
for t sufficiently large.
(b) Show that '.n C 1/ D n'.n/ using Integration by Parts.
(c) Show that '.n C 1/ D nŠ if n " 1 is an integer. Hint: Use (a) repeatedly. Thus, '.n/ provides a way of defining n-factorial
when n is not an integer.
 S E C T I O N 7.6 Improper Integrals 921

SOLUTION
(a) By repeated use of L’Hôpital’s Rule, we can compute the following limit:

et et et
lim D lim n
D $ $ $ D lim D 1:
t !1 t nC1 t !1 .n C 1/t t !1 .n C 1/Š
This implies that, for t sufficiently large, we have

e t " t nC1 I

therefore
et t nC1
" D t2 or t n!1 e !t # t !2 :
t n!1 t n!1
Z 1
The integral t !2 dt converges because p D 2 > 1. Therefore, by the comparison test,
1
Z 1
t n!1 e !t dt also converges;
M

where M is the value above which the above comparisons hold. Finally, because the function t n!1 e !t is continuous for all t, we
know that
Z 1
'.n/ D t n!1 e !t dt converges for all n " 1:
0

(b) Using Integration by Parts, with u D t n and v 0 ! e !t , we have u0 D nt n!1 , v D !e !t , and

Z 1 Z 1
ˇ1
'.n C 1/ D t n e !t dt D !t n e !t ˇ0 C n t n!1 e !t dt
0 0
# $
!Rn
D lim ! 0 C n'.n/ D 0 C n'.n/ D n'.n/:
R!1 eR
Here, we’ve computed the limit as in part (a) with repeated use of L’Hôpital’s Rule.
(c) By the result of part (b), we have

'.n C 1/ D n'.n/ D n.n ! 1/'.n ! 1/ D n.n ! 1/.n ! 2/'.n ! 2/ D $ $ $ D nŠ '.1/:

If n D 1, then
Z 1 ˇR % &
ˇ
'.1/ D e !t dt D lim !e !t ˇˇ D lim 1 ! e !R D 1:
0 R!1 0 R!1

Thus

'.n C 1/ D nŠ .1/ D nŠ
nŠ
100. Use the results of Exercise 99 to show that the Laplace transform (see Exercises 86–89 above) of x n is .
s nC1
SOLUTION If f .x/ D x n , then the Laplace transform of f .x/ is
Z 1
Lf .s/ D x n e !sx dx
0

Let t D sx. Then dt D s dx, and xn D t n =s n . This gives us

Z 1 tn Z 1
dt 1 1 nŠ
Lf .s/ D n
e !t D nC1 t n e !t dt D '.n C 1/ D nC1 :
0 s s s 0 s nC1 s