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We were recently asked to evaluate this - $y(x) = \int_{0}^{\pi} \sin(x+y(x)) dx$

I think we can start by breaking up the integral as $y(x) = \int_{0}^{\pi} \sin(x)\cos(y(x)) dx + \int_{0}^{\pi} \cos(x)\sin(y(x)) dx$ and then assuming the form that $y$ would take as $y(x) = A\sin(x) + B\cos(x) + D$.

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    You've just given me the solution! I'll answer it later though...2012-01-07

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As @joriki suggested, the main point in solving this is in realizing that y is not a function of x but, contrary to what seems in the question, a constant because RHS is a definite integral! So let's assume that $y = K$(say). So the equation can be rewritten as-

$K = \int_{0}^{\pi} \sin(x+K) dx$ and we're left with simply finding the value of $K$. So, $K = -(\cos(\pi+K) - \cos(0 + K)) = 2\cos(K)$ and finally, y is the solution of the equation: $K/2 = \cos(K)$ for which $y\approx1.02987$ as calculated here

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As written, the equation is syntactically ambiguous... the integration variable can't have the same name as a free variable, or else you can't tell which $x$ is meant by each occurrence within the integrand. There are four possible disambiguations:

  1. $y(x) = \int_{0}^{\pi} \sin(t+y(t)) dt.$
  2. $y(x) = \int_{0}^{\pi} \sin(t+y(x)) dt = 2 \cos(y(x))$.
  3. $y(x) = \int_{0}^{\pi} \sin(x+y(t)) dt = \sin(x)\int_{0}^{\pi}\cos(y(t))dt + \cos(x)\int_{0}^{\pi}\sin(y(t))dt.$
  4. $y(x) = \int_{0}^{\pi} \sin(x+y(x)) dt = \pi\sin(x+y(x))$.

In the first case, $y(x)$ is a constant $K$ satisfying $K=\int_{0}^{\pi}\sin(t+K)dt=2\cos K$; the unique solution is $K=1.0298665...$.

In the second case, $y(x)$ must satisfy $y=2\cos(y)$ at each point independently; since this has a unique solution, the result is the same as the first case.

In the third case, $y(x)=A\cos(x)+B\sin(x)$, where $A$ and $B$ satisfy a coupled integral equation.

In the fourth case, $y(x)$ satisfies an implicit equation that depends on $x$ at each point independently.

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    +1, nice answer...I think this was a trick question, hence the ambiguity seems to have been put in deliberately. It wasn't intended to be too difficult so I'm assuming it's the first case. The third case takes it up one(rather, multiple) notch. The fourth is too bland. I'll try to solve the third case and post it too...2012-01-07