Question

Eq of curve is y=b sin^2(pi.x/a). Find mean value for part of curve where x lies between b and a.

I have gone thus far-
y=b[1-cos(2pi x/a)/2]/2
Integral y from a to b=b/2(b-a)-ab/4pi[sin(2pi b/a)-sin2pi)

MV=b/2-[ab sin(2pi b/a)]/(b-a)
Ans given is b/a. I am not getting further.

Answers

Graham
y(x) = b sin^2(πx/a)

The mean of the curve over the range b to a is:
y_ave = 1/(a-b) ∫(x=b to a) y(x) dx

sin^2(πx/a) = 1 - cos(2πx/a)

∫y(x) dx
= (b/2) ∫ (1 - cos(2πx/a)) dx
= (b/2) (x - a sin(2πx/a)/(2π)) + constant
= bx/2 - ab sin(2πx/a)/(4π) + constant

∫(x=b to a) y(x) dx
= b(a-b)/2 + ab sin(2πb/a)/(4π)

1/(a-b)∫(x=b to a) y(x) dx
= (b/2) + (ab sin(2πb/a))/(4π(a-b))
Graham
And, that is just about as far as it goes. You can play around with the sine identities, but it doesn't simplify much further.
MS
Does it indicate that the answer 'b/a' given in the book may be wrong? I tried many times but could not get it.

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