Thread: intractable??

what's the indefinite integral of [(sin x)/x] w.r.t.x.?
read somewher about it being "intractable"..that only deinite integrals can be obtained...

Originally Posted by abiy3000

what's the indefinite integral of [(sin x)/x] w.r.t.x.?
read somewher about it being "intractable"..that only deinite integrals can be obtained...

I don't believe there is a specific Mathematical definition for "intractable." An "intractable" problem is simply one that cannot be solved. In this case, the integral can't be expressed in terms of a finite number of closed form functions (like polynomials, trig functions, logs, etc.).

I usually reserve the use of the word "intractable" to describe problems that look easy, but are in fact impossible. This is definately an integral I would call "intractable!"

-Dan

thanks.