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Multiple Choice
Find the definite integral.
A
0.78
B
0.86
C
0.31
D
-0.74
Verified step by step guidance
1
Recognize that the integral is a definite integral of the form ∫_{-1}^1 x^2 e^{x^3} dx. The limits of integration are -1 and 1.
Observe that the integrand, x^2 e^{x^3}, is an odd function multiplied by an even function. Specifically, x^2 is even (symmetric about the y-axis), and e^{x^3} is neither even nor odd, but the product x^2 e^{x^3} is even because x^2 dominates the symmetry.
Since the integrand is even, the integral from -1 to 1 can be simplified by doubling the integral from 0 to 1. This is because the area under the curve from -1 to 0 is symmetric to the area from 0 to 1. Rewrite the integral as 2∫_{0}^1 x^2 e^{x^3} dx.
To evaluate the integral, consider a substitution. Let u = x^3, which implies du = 3x^2 dx. Solve for x^2 dx in terms of du: x^2 dx = du/3.
Change the limits of integration according to the substitution. When x = 0, u = 0^3 = 0. When x = 1, u = 1^3 = 1. The integral becomes 2∫_{0}^1 (1/3)e^u du. Factor out the constant 1/3, leaving (2/3)∫_{0}^1 e^u du, which can be evaluated using the antiderivative of e^u.