MathGroup Archive 2010

[Date Index] [Thread Index] [Author Index]

Search the Archive

Re: Integral confusion

  • To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
  • Subject: [mg107279] Re: Integral confusion
  • From: Peter Breitfeld <phbrf at t-online.de>
  • Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 03:32:57 -0500 (EST)
  • References: <hkm7d8$os0$1@smc.vnet.net>

Jon Joseph wrote:

> All: Is this integral wrong? If not could someone explain the minus sign 
> inside the log?
>
> Integrate[1/(x + 1) - 1/(x + 6), x] // Simplify
>
> log(-2 (x + 1)) - log(2 (x + 6))
>
> Thanks, Jon.=
>

No, it's not wrong, because if you take the derivative of the result you
get your integrand back. It only differs from the result you get by
calculating the integral "by hand" by the constant log(-2)-log(2), so it
is a valid "stammfunktion" (German, how do you call that in English?
antiderivative?)

-- 
_________________________________________________________________
Peter Breitfeld, Bad Saulgau, Germany -- http://www.pBreitfeld.de


  • Prev by Date: Re: Integral confusion
  • Next by Date: Re: Integral confusion
  • Previous by thread: Re: Integral confusion
  • Next by thread: Re: Integral confusion