Exponential Integral Calculator

Calculate the exponential integral Ei(x) and related functions with step-by-step solutions

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Ei(x) = γ + ln|x| + Σ(xⁿ / n·n!)

Where γ ≈ 0.5772 is the Euler-Mascheroni constant | Ei(1) ≈ 1.8951178163

Note: Ei(x) has a singularity at x = 0 E₁(x) = ∫ₓ^∞ (e⁻ᵗ/t) dt, defined for x > 0 Eₙ(x) = ∫₁^∞ (e⁻ˣᵗ/tⁿ) dt, generalized form

Quick Examples

Error

Ei() E₁() E()

Derivative -Eₙ₋₁(x)

E₁(x)

Input Value

Step-by-Step Solution

1

Identify the input value

x =

2

Apply the Exponential Integral Ei(x) Apply E₁(x) = ∫ₓ^∞ (e⁻ᵗ/t) dt Apply Eₙ(x) = ∫₁^∞ (e⁻ˣᵗ/tⁿ) dt

Using series: Ei(x) = γ + ln|x| + Σ(xⁿ/n·n!) Using continued fraction for numerical stability Using recurrence: Eₙ₊₁(x) = (1/n)[e⁻ˣ - x·Eₙ(x)]

3

Result

Ei() = E₁() = E() =

Special Values Reference

x Ei(x) E₁(x)
0 -∞ (singularity) +∞
0.5 ≈ 0.4542 ≈ 0.5598
1 ≈ 1.8951 ≈ 0.2194
2 ≈ 4.9542 ≈ 0.0489
-1 ≈ -0.2194 N/A (x > 0 required)

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About Exponential Integral Calculator

What is the Exponential Integral?

The Exponential Integral is a special function in mathematics that appears frequently in physics, engineering, and applied mathematics. It is defined as an integral involving the exponential function divided by its argument.

Mathematical Definition

Principal Exponential Integral Ei(x)

For real non-zero values of x, the exponential integral Ei(x) is defined as:

Ei(x) = -∫₋ₓ^∞ (e⁻ᵗ/t) dt = ∫₋∞^x (eᵗ/t) dt

This integral is understood in terms of the Cauchy principal value due to the singularity at t = 0.

Series Expansion

For computational purposes, Ei(x) can be calculated using the series expansion:

Ei(x) = γ + ln|x| + x + x²/(2·2!) + x³/(3·3!) + x⁴/(4·4!) + ...

where γ ≈ 0.5772156649 is the Euler-Mascheroni constant.

Related Functions

Generalized Exponential Integral Eₙ(x)

For n = 1, 2, 3, ... and x > 0:

Eₙ(x) = ∫₁^∞ (e⁻ˣᵗ/tⁿ) dt

Relationship Between Ei and E₁

For x > 0: Ei(x) = -E₁(-x)

Key Properties

Derivative

d/dx [Ei(x)] = eˣ/x

Recurrence Relation

Eₙ₊₁(x) = (1/n)[e⁻ˣ - x·Eₙ(x)]

Special Values

  • Ei(1) ≈ 1.8951178163
  • E₁(1) ≈ 0.2193839345
  • Ei(-1) ≈ -0.2193839345

Singularity

Ei(x) has a logarithmic singularity at x = 0.

Applications

  1. Physics - Heat conduction, radiation transport, quantum mechanics
  2. Engineering - Signal processing, electromagnetic theory
  3. Probability - Related to the logarithmic integral li(x)
  4. Number Theory - Prime counting function approximations
  5. Astrophysics - Stellar atmosphere calculations

Common Mistakes

  1. Sign conventions - Different sources use different definitions; be aware of the sign in the integral
  2. Confusing Ei and E₁ - These are related but different functions
  3. Domain issues - Ei(x) is undefined at x = 0 (has a singularity)