Question
Consider the integral , where [x] denotes the greatest integer less than or equal to x. Then the value of I is equal to :
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Solution
Key Concepts and Formulas
- Greatest Integer Function: is the largest integer less than or equal to . It is a step function, constant on intervals .
- Definite Integral Decomposition: An integral over an interval can be split into a sum of integrals over subintervals and . This is crucial when the integrand's form changes, as with the greatest integer function.
- Integral of : The indefinite integral of is .
Step-by-Step Solution
Step 1: Simplify the Integrand
The given integral is . We can simplify the exponential part of the integrand using the property . This simplification makes the integrand easier to work with in subsequent steps.
Step 2: Decompose the Integral Based on the Greatest Integer Function
The greatest integer function changes its value at integer points. Since the integral is from to , will take integer values over the intervals respectively. We must decompose the integral into a sum of integrals over these unit intervals. Within each interval , we know that . Substituting this into the integral:
Step 3: Evaluate the Integral for Each Interval
Now, we evaluate the sum of integrals. For the first interval, : For , the integral is: We can pull the constant out of the integral: To evaluate this integral, let . Then . When , . When , . The integral becomes:
Step 4: Sum the Results from All Intervals
Now we sum the results for to (since the integral for is 0). We can factor out from the sum: The sum of the first natural numbers is given by the formula . Here, . Substituting this sum back into the expression for :
Common Mistakes & Tips
- Incorrectly handling the term: The term for over results in an integrand of , so its integral is . Do not assume the first term will be non-zero.
- Mistakes in substitution or integration: Be careful with the sign change when performing substitution for the exponential integral. Ensure the limits of integration are correctly transformed.
- Forgetting to sum all terms: The integral is a sum over all relevant intervals. Ensure all non-zero contributions from each interval are included.
Summary
The integral was first simplified by combining exponential terms. The presence of the greatest integer function necessitated decomposing the integral into a sum of integrals over unit intervals . In each interval, was replaced by the constant integer . After evaluating the integral for each interval, a pattern emerged where the contribution from interval was for . Summing these contributions from to and adding the zero contribution from , we obtained the final result .
The final answer is .