Put . For every , , and the upper bound is a Lebesgue integrable function by part (b)(i). Since for each as , the dominated convergence theorem gives right continuity at zero andTo apply dominated differentiation under the integral sign, fix and restrict to . ThenFor , . For , writing , the substitution rule givesThus is integrable. The mean value theorem bounds nearby difference quotients by , so the dominated convergence theorem justifies the derivative at . As was arbitrary,Now make the change of variables . The reversal of limits cancels the negative differential and givesConsequently . This also follows in sign from the fact that the positive integrand decreases strictly as increases: the printed equation with a positive sign cannot hold. Solving the linear differential equation, or differentiating , and using right continuity at zero givesThis is a half-line instance of the Gaussian integral with an inverse-square term.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the year 1 of the natural sciences course of the University of Cambridge 2008 Paper 2 12 Solution Created 2026-10-18 Updated 2026-10-20
The integrand is even and decays at both infinity and zero, since . On set , a strictly increasing bijection onto the whole real line. ThenUsing evenness for the negative half-axis givesThe second summand is an integrable odd function, so its integral vanishes. The remaining Gaussian integral givesFor the second integral use separately on each half-axis. The factor becomes , and reversing the transformed limits yields . ThusThese identities are instances of the Gaussian integral with an inverse-square term. Splitting at zero before either change of variables avoids treating a discontinuous transformation as a single bijection.