From b4ddf78fe35c1de254565a24ff6d3f8c1d668447 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Claude Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2026 22:38:48 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] Add Mathematica visualization of integral 2025 as area under curve Visualizes Integrate[4^x/(4^x+2), {x,0,1}] = 1/2 with: - exact symbolic integration - a symbolic proof that f(x)+f(1-x)==1 (why the area is exactly 1/2) - a filled area-under-curve plot - an interactive midpoint Riemann-sum Manipulate - a reflection/tiling picture showing the area is half a unit square Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_01LhzuZxgPBzeNeZqBLFcHEb --- integral-2025-visualization.wl | 117 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 117 insertions(+) create mode 100644 integral-2025-visualization.wl diff --git a/integral-2025-visualization.wl b/integral-2025-visualization.wl new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2937c9b --- /dev/null +++ b/integral-2025-visualization.wl @@ -0,0 +1,117 @@ +(* ::Package:: *) + +(* ===================================================================== + Problem 2025: Integrate[ 4^x / (4^x + 2), {x, 0, 1} ] == 1012.5/2025 == 1/2 + + This notebook visualizes the integral as the AREA UNDER THE CURVE, + and leverages a few things Mathematica does uniquely well: + + 1. Exact symbolic integration (no decimals, no quadrature error). + 2. A symbolic *proof by symmetry*: f(x) + f(1-x) == 1, + which makes the area exactly 1/2 -- the source of the "1012.5". + 3. An interactive Manipulate that shades the Riemann area. + 4. A "reflection" picture showing why the answer is half a unit square. + ===================================================================== *) + +(* --- The integrand ------------------------------------------------- *) +f[x_] := 4^x/(4^x + 2) + +(* --- 1. Exact value (Mathematica's symbolic engine) ---------------- *) +exact = Integrate[f[x], {x, 0, 1}] +(* -> 1/2 *) + +numeric = N[exact, 20] +(* -> 0.50000000000000000000 *) + +(* Tie it back to the picture in the photo: 2025 * (the integral) *) +2025 * exact +(* -> 2025/2 == 1012.5 *) + + +(* --- 2. The symmetry that makes it exactly 1/2 --------------------- *) +(* Claim: f(x) + f(1 - x) == 1. Let Mathematica PROVE it symbolically. *) +symmetryCheck = FullSimplify[f[x] + f[1 - x] == 1] +(* -> True *) + +(* Therefore 2 * Integral = Integral of (f(x)+f(1-x)) dx = Integral of 1 dx = 1. *) + + +(* --- 3. The headline picture: area under the curve ----------------- *) +areaPlot = + Plot[f[x], {x, 0, 1}, + Filling -> Axis, + FillingStyle -> Directive[Opacity[0.35], RGBColor[0.2, 0.5, 0.9]], + PlotStyle -> Directive[Thick, RGBColor[0.1, 0.3, 0.7]], + PlotRange -> {{0, 1}, {0, 1}}, + AspectRatio -> 1, + AxesLabel -> {"x", "f(x)"}, + PlotLabel -> + Row[{"\[Integral] 4^x/(4^x+2) dx on [0,1] = ", exact}], + Epilog -> { + Text[Style["shaded area = 1/2", 14, Bold], + {0.55, 0.18}] + } + ] + + +(* --- 4. Interactive Riemann-sum approximation of the area ---------- *) +(* Drag n to watch the rectangles converge to the exact area 1/2. *) +riemann = + Manipulate[ + Module[{dx = 1/n, mids, rects, approx}, + mids = Table[(k - 1/2) dx, {k, 1, n}]; + approx = dx * Total[f /@ mids]; + Column[{ + Show[ + Plot[f[x], {x, 0, 1}, PlotStyle -> Directive[Thick, Black], + PlotRange -> {{0, 1}, {0, 1}}, AspectRatio -> 1, + AxesLabel -> {"x", "f(x)"}], + Graphics[{ + Opacity[0.4], RGBColor[0.2, 0.5, 0.9], + Table[Rectangle[{(k - 1) dx, 0}, {k dx, f[(k - 1/2) dx]}], + {k, 1, n}] + }] + ], + Row[{"midpoint Riemann sum (n = ", n, ") = ", + NumberForm[N[approx], 8], + " exact = ", N[exact]}] + }, Center] + ], + {{n, 8, "rectangles n"}, 1, 200, 1, Appearance -> "Labeled"} + ] + + +(* --- 5. Why the area is HALF a unit square (the symmetry, drawn) --- *) +(* The region under f on [0,1] and its 180-degree rotation about *) +(* the center (1/2, 1/2) tile the full unit square exactly. So the *) +(* area is half the square = 1/2. *) +reflectionPicture = + Show[ + Plot[{f[x], 1 - f[1 - x]}, {x, 0, 1}, + Filling -> {1 -> Axis}, + FillingStyle -> Directive[Opacity[0.35], RGBColor[0.2, 0.5, 0.9]], + PlotStyle -> { + Directive[Thick, RGBColor[0.1, 0.3, 0.7]], + Directive[Thick, Dashed, RGBColor[0.8, 0.3, 0.2]] + }, + PlotRange -> {{0, 1}, {0, 1}}, AspectRatio -> 1, + AxesLabel -> {"x", "y"}, + PlotLabel -> + "f(x) and its 180\[Degree] rotation tile the unit square" + ], + Graphics[{ + Dashing[{0.01}], Gray, Line[{{0, 1}, {1, 1}, {1, 0}}], + Text[Style["area = 1/2", 14, Bold, RGBColor[0.1, 0.3, 0.7]], + {0.55, 0.2}], + Text[Style["rotated copy", 12, RGBColor[0.8, 0.3, 0.2]], + {0.35, 0.78}] + }] + ] + + +(* --- 6. (Bonus) The exact antiderivative, courtesy of the CAS ------ *) +antideriv = Integrate[f[x], x] +(* Mathematica returns a closed form in terms of Log; differentiate *) +(* to confirm it really is the integrand: *) +checkAntideriv = FullSimplify[D[antideriv, x] == f[x]] +(* -> True *)