Everything2
Near Matches
Ignore Exact
Full Text
Everything2

sin(x)/x

created by Magenta

(thing) by Magenta (7.3 y) (print)   ?   (I like it!) 1 C! Sat Nov 13 1999 at 14:52:11

when x=0, this is 0/0 which is undefined, but lim(x->0)(sin x)/x=1, as d(sin x)/dx = cos x = 1, dx/dx = 1, and 1/1=1. In fact, a(sin bx)/cx = ab/c as x approaches 0. It's provable.

As x approaches infinity, 1/x approaches 0, and so sin(x)*(1/x) approaches 0. But it's not so simple in other equations such as (e^x)/x where you have disparate limiting factors.


(idea) by Evandar (2 y) (print)   ?   (I like it!) Mon Jan 15 2001 at 1:31:11

This function appears one of my textbooks (H Priestley, Introduction to integration) under the wonderfully descriptive heading:

Non-integrable functions which can be integrated

What Priestley's trying to say is that the function is not Lebesgue integrable, because the absolute value |sin(x)|/|x| is not integral, but the improper Riemann integral of sin(x)/x between 0 and infinity exists, and can be shown by some kind of analytic witchcraft ("an easy exercise") to equal pi/2.

So that's one for the hordes of you who thinks Lebesgue integration is the best thing since sliced bread. Priestley reckons it is a "small price" to pay, but I say Riemann integration gets the kudos for this one.


printable version
chaos

Nature laughs at the difficulties of integration Derivation is a science, integration is an art Lebesgue integrable Lebesgue integral
Lebesgue measure sinc real analysis l'Hôpital's rule
Sinch integration by scissors 0/0 Lim
Lebesgue number lemma Riemann integral Integration Provable
Romberg Integration Sandwich Theorem path integral Fourier optics
infinity impossible integral Derivative Separation of variables
Y'know, if you log in, you can write something here, or contact authors directly on the site. Create a New User if you don't already have an account.
  Epicenter
Login
Password

password reminder
register

Everything2 Help

Cool Staff Picks
Nodes your sibling would have liked:
E2 is unfriendly to new noders
Excerpts from a letter to President Pierce from Chief Seattle
Oh boner, you didn't whiz on Old Glory, did you?
cellular telephone as a weapon
Madrid bombing
Discovery
23 Days in Bhutan
Lee Stories
The Little Prince
Gaijin
The two most common things to be found on the back of a sci-fi/fantasy novel
Skunk Cabbage
Black-Scholes
New Writeups
SubSane
Making Love to a 9-Foot Woman(person)
Ouzo
Thoughts(idea)
antigravpussy
I fall silent, listening. The breadcrumbs are talking about us(person)
calgon
Buffalo Bill by the pool(poetry)
gate
Anarchy is Order(idea)
ushdfgakjasgh
Scribeling(thing)
XWiz
Trism(review)
artman2003
Briefcase Full of Souls - Part I(fiction)
Dreamvirus
Alan Ladd(person)
waverider37
Harold Holt(person)
The Debutante
Until death do us part(fiction)
Ysardo
a brother to a sister(personal)
antigravpussy
your warm whispers(personal)
Clarke
Multiculturalism(idea)
aneurin
Earl of Landaff(person)
E2 is a by-product of the existence of The Everything Development Company