This problem asks for the coefficient k in a given integral expression. We solve it by applying integration by parts to the left-hand side and comparing the resulting elementary term with the given form. The value of k is −1.
The problem asks us to find the value of k given the equation ∫x22xdx=k⋅2xx1+C. The integral ∫x22xdx is a non-elementary integral, meaning it cannot be expressed in terms of elementary functions (polynomials, exponentials, logarithms, trigonometric functions).
In such problems, the given form k⋅2xx1+C usually represents the elementary part obtained from a single application of integration by parts, with the remaining non-elementary integral implicitly absorbed or ignored for the purpose of finding k. Our strategy will be to perform integration by parts on the left-hand side and then compare the resulting elementary term with k⋅2xx1.
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Recall the Integration by Parts Formula:
The integration by parts formula is given by:
∫udv=uv−∫vdu
The key is to choose u and dv such that uv matches the desired form k⋅2xx1 and ∫vdu is either simpler or the non-elementary part.
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Choose u and dv for the integral ∫x22xdx:
We have the integrand x22x=2x⋅x−2.
To obtain a term like 2xx1 in the uv part, we should choose dv such that v involves x1.
Let's choose:
- dv=x−2dx
- u=2x
Now, we find v and du:
- v=∫x−2dx=−x−1=−x1
- du=dxd(2x)dx=2xlog2dx (Recall that dxd(ax)=axloga)
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Apply Integration by Parts:
Substitute these into the formula ∫udv=uv−∫vdu:
∫x22xdx=(2x)(−x1)−∫(−x1)(2xlog2)dx
∫x22xdx=−x2x−∫(−x2xlog2)dx
∫x22xdx=−x2x+log2∫x2xdx
- Compare with the given form:
We are given that ∫x22xdx=k⋅2xx1+C.
From our integration by parts, we found:
∫x22xdx=−x2x+log2∫x2xdx
Comparing the elementary term involving $2^x \frac{1}{x}$:
The term from our calculation is $-\frac{2^x}{x}$.
The term given in the problem is $k \cdot 2^x \frac{1}{x}$.
Therefore, we can equate these terms:
k⋅2xx1=−x2x
Dividing both sides by $\frac{2^x}{x}$ (which is non-zero for $x \neq 0$), we get:
> [!WARNING]
> A common mistake is to assume that the entire integral is exactly equal to $k \cdot 2^x \frac{1}{x} + C$. If this were true, differentiating $k \cdot 2^x \frac{1}{x} + C$ would yield $\frac{2^x}{x^2}$. However, $\frac{d}{dx} \left( k \cdot 2^x \frac{1}{x} \right) = k \cdot 2^x \left( \frac{\log 2}{x} - \frac{1}{x^2} \right)$. Equating this to $\frac{2^x}{x^2}$ leads to a contradiction ($1+k = kx \log 2$, which cannot hold for all $x$). This confirms that the problem implicitly asks for the coefficient of the elementary part obtained from the first step of integration by parts, with the remaining non-elementary integral (here, $\log 2 \int \frac{2^x}{x} dx$) not being part of the $k \cdot 2^x \frac{1}{x}$ term.
The value of k is −1.
✓Final answer
The value of k is −1.