# Bound on integral

I need lower and upper bounds (as tight as possible) on the following integral: $$\int_0^\infty x^n\exp\left(-\frac{(x-x_0)^2}2\right)\, dx$$

$n$ is a real number greater than $0$, and $x_0>0$. I am guessing the bounds will be of the form $B(n)x_0^n+C(n)$, but I don't have a way of showing it (it might not be true either).

EDIT: I guess for the cases $n>1$ and $n<1$, one can use the convexity/concavity of the $x^n$ and make estimates of the form $x_0^n+nxx_0^{n-1}\le(x+x_0)^n\le2^{n-1}(x^n+x_0^n)$.

EDIT: $n$ is not an integer. More importantly, I would like an actual bound on the integral in terms of elementary functions.

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For $x_0=0$ you can find the exact answers from the moments of a normal distribution –  Henry Aug 31 '12 at 16:48
Yes, you get gamma functions. –  Ivan Aug 31 '12 at 16:54
@Ivan - what's wrong with gamma functions? –  nbubis Jan 12 '13 at 10:42

$$f(x)=\exp\left(-\frac{(x-x_0)^2}{2}\right)$$ $$f'(x)=(x_0-x)f(x)$$ $$xf(x)=x_0f(x)-f'(x)$$

Hence

$$I_n(x_0)=\int_0^{\infty}x^nf(x)=x_0I_{n-1}(x_0)-\int_0^{\infty}x^{n-1}f'(x)= x_0I_{n-1}(x_0)+(n-1)I_{n-2}(x_0)$$

And $I_0(x_0)$ can be computed from the usual error function. So you get a quick way to compute the results.

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Sorry, I should probably change $n$ to $\alpha$. $n$ is not integer, therefore integration by parts leads nowhere, there is still need to evaluate an integral with $0<n<1$. –  Ivan Aug 31 '12 at 17:07
If you're looking for a bound, you can consider that for $n\in(0,1)$, you are between $I_0$ and $I_1$, then you get your polynomial bound by the recursive formula. –  Xoff Aug 31 '12 at 17:09
I don't think you are between $I_0$ and $I_1$: $1>x^n>x$ for $x<1$, $1<x^n<x$ for $x>1$. –  Ivan Aug 31 '12 at 17:15
For the $n>1$ here is a bound (not very tight). With $n\leq\alpha\leq n+1$, $$\int_0^1 x^\alpha\exp(-(x-x_0)^2/2)dx\leq \int_0^1 x^n\exp(-(x-x_0)^2/2)dx$$ and $$\int_1^\infty x^\alpha\exp(-(x-x_0)^2/2)dx\leq \int_1^\infty x^{n+1}\exp(-(x-x_0)^2/2)dx$$ and thus $$I_\alpha(x_0)\leq I_n(x_0)+I_{n+1}(x_0)$$ and compute $I_n(x_0)$ and $I_{n+1}(x_0)$$as above. – Sebastien B Nov 30 '12 at 15:32 If I am not mistaken, for n>0, your integral is bounded by:$$2^{1/2 - n/2} e^{-x_0^2/2} \Gamma(1 + n)$\$ This follows by actually calculating the integral which involves hypergeometric functions.

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