0
$\begingroup$

Suppose $ f(x) >0$ and $\int_{a}^{\infty} \frac{1}{f(x)} = \infty$. Is it necessarily true that $\int_{a}^{\infty} \frac{1}{\ln(x)f(x)} = \infty$? I assume the answer is false but I can't think of a counterexample.

More generally is there a function $g(x)>0$ with the property that $\lim_{x \to \infty} g(x) = \infty$ and $\int_{a}^{\infty} \frac{1}{f(x)} = \infty$ implies that $\int_{a}^{\infty} \frac{1}{g(x)f(x)} = \infty$

  • 0
    Wouldn't $g(x)=x$ work?2017-02-08
  • 0
    @Zonko Because it does not imply the integral will still diverge.2017-02-08

1 Answers 1

3

Here is a basic counter example:

Let $u=\ln(x)$ be a substitution.

$$\int_e^\infty\frac1{x\ln(x)}\ dx=\int_1^\infty\frac1u\ du\to\infty$$

But, on the contrary,

$$\int_e^\infty\frac1{x\ln(x)\ln(x)}\ dx=\int_1^\infty\frac1{u^2}\ du=1<\infty$$


As per the second problem, just have $f(x)g(x)=x^ph(x)$, thus, $f(x)=\frac{x^ph(x)}{g(x)}$. For $g(x)\to\infty$, appropriately choose $p,h(x)$ such that $f(x)\to\infty$ and $\int_a^\infty\frac1{f(x)}\ dx$ diverges while $\int_a^\infty\frac1{f(x)g(x)}\ dx$ converges.

  • 0
    Thanks for the counterexample. Can't believe I didn't think of it!2017-02-08