An integral

[lrdheat]

My mistake...The example came from one of my calculus books illustrating the shape of a graph of f(x) in connection with f'(x). The integral of the function was NOT explored...I was experimenting with the integral of that function, comparing numerical results on my WP 34S, CASIO fx-9860GII, HP Prime, and the TI NSpire. I was surprised to see that the NSpire came up with a symbolic result that was equivalent to the numerical results on the other platforms. The Beta integrals (beyond my math experience) that you referred to must be the way to get an exact solution!

I'm simply amazed at what folks like you can build into a CAS. During the slide rule age, when the HP 35 came out, it was hard to believe that such a capable machine was possible. The instruction book stated "we thought you'd like to have something only fictional heroes like James Bond, Walter Mitty, or Dick Tracy are supposed to own."

Similar wonder and excitement was expressed in the instruction book for my Versalog slide rule:
"Early in 1950, a group of prominent professors and practicing engineers were approached with the problem of designing a practical slide rule for TODAY'S problems..."....."It provides both the practicing engineer and the student with a far more efficient and helpful, up-to-date "tool" to match the high tempo of present day engineering development."