Wednesday 9 March 2011

Integral of a Gaussian (continued)

Ok, so last post we derived (not so rigorously) that the integral of a standard Gaussian as;
$$\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} e^{-x^2} dx = \sqrt{\pi}$$

and using a substitution of 

$$x=\sqrt{a}y$$ and $$dx=\sqrt{a}dy$$
 we obtain;$$\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} e^{-ax^2} dx = \sqrt{\frac{\pi}{a}}$$.

Now let's extend that to the more general form of;
$$I=\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} x^2 e^{-ax^2} dx $$ where a is some constant.

We can recognise (or at least be told to recognise) that the argument of the integral; $$x^2 e^{-ax^2}$$ is equal to
$$-\frac{\partial}{\partial a} e^{-ax^2}$$

Putting this together, we get;
$$I=\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}-\frac{\partial}{\partial a} e^{-ax^2} dx$$
We can swap the partial derivative and Integration sign (provided the variable we are integrating over is independent of a and the integrand is continuous)
We get; $$I= -\frac{\partial}{\partial a} \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} e^{-ax^2} dx = -\frac{\partial}{\partial a}\sqrt{\frac{\pi}{a}}$$
$$=\frac{1}{2a} \sqrt{\frac{\pi}{a}}$$
Therefore;  $$\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} x^2 e^{-ax^2} dx =\frac{1}{2a} \sqrt{\frac{\pi}{a}}$$

This technique can be extended for different powers of x - provided they are even.

13 comments:

  1. I've heard Nicholas Taleb speak of this before in lectures. Still a lil over my head tho.

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  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  3. Still following. Your explanations make it so easy to understand. (At least for me, lol)

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  4. Following for interest :D

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  5. Makes perfect sense...now I just need to go back and remember what the heck this was used for.

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  6. I'm only able to use the easy-integral-one.
    integral of an easy function like 2x²+x+2

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  7. I feel so nerdy/geeky for enjoying these ypes of posts but whatever.

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  8. Oh, what was it you majored in again btw? (Obviously maths but which area?)

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  9. Wow these are great! Followed! alphabetalife.blogspot.com

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  10. my head hurts

    An overwhelming dose of awesome can be found in my 4th electro set! Check it
    Electric Addict Set #4

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  11. Wish I could understand half of that...

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  12. Wow. That's some serious maths.

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