Skip to content
Exercise 9.7 · Q1

Q.Evaluate the following:

(i) ∫0∞x5e−3x dx\displaystyle\int_0^\infty x^5e^{-3x}\,dx
(ii) ∫0π/2e−tan⁡xcos⁡6x dx\displaystyle\int_0^{\pi/2}\dfrac{e^{-\tan x}}{\cos^6x}\,dx
Puducherry TnboardTextbookSubjectiveImportance★★★★★
14% · 13/96 Questions
✓ Free question

Both parts reduce to the Gamma integral Γ(n)=∫0∞e−xxn−1dx=(n−1)!\Gamma(n)=\int_0^\infty e^{-x}x^{n-1}dx=(n-1)!, equivalently ∫0∞e−axxn dx=n!/an+1\int_0^\infty e^{-ax}x^n\,dx=n!/a^{n+1}.

Step 1. Part (i): identify n,an,a. ∫0∞x5e−3x dx\displaystyle\int_0^\infty x^5e^{-3x}\,dx has the form ∫0∞e−axxn dx\int_0^\infty e^{-ax}x^n\,dx with n=5, a=3n=5,\ a=3.

Step 2. Part (i): apply the formula. ∫0∞e−3xx5 dx=5!36=120729=40243\displaystyle\int_0^\infty e^{-3x}x^5\,dx=\dfrac{5!}{3^{6}}=\dfrac{120}{729}=\dfrac{40}{243}.

Step 3. Part (ii): substitute to expose the Gamma form. Let u=tan⁡xu=\tan x, so du=sec⁡2x dxdu=\sec^2x\,dx; as x:0→π/2x:0\to\pi/2, u:0→∞u:0\to\infty. Write 1cos⁡6x=sec⁡6x=sec⁡4x⋅sec⁡2x=(1+tan⁡2x)2sec⁡2x\dfrac1{\cos^6x}=\sec^6x=\sec^4x\cdot\sec^2x=(1+\tan^2x)^2\sec^2x, so

∫0π/2e−tan⁡xcos⁡6x dx=∫0∞e−u(1+u2)2 du.\int_0^{\pi/2}\dfrac{e^{-\tan x}}{\cos^6x}\,dx=\int_0^\infty e^{-u}(1+u^2)^2\,du.

Step 4. Part (ii): expand and integrate termwise. (1+u2)2=1+2u2+u4(1+u^2)^2=1+2u^2+u^4, so

∫0∞e−u(1+2u2+u4) du=∫0∞e−u du+2∫0∞e−uu2 du+∫0∞e−uu4 du=0!+2(2!)+4!=1+4+24=29.\int_0^\infty e^{-u}(1+2u^2+u^4)\,du=\int_0^\infty e^{-u}\,du+2\int_0^\infty e^{-u}u^2\,du+\int_0^\infty e^{-u}u^4\,du=0!+2(2!)+4!=1+4+24=29.

✓Final answer

  1. 40243\dfrac{40}{243};
  2. 2929.

Unlock everything free for 14 days

  • Full step-by-step solutions
  • Concept-first explanations
  • Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
  • PYQ mapping + timed mock tests

Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.