Let $f(x)$ and $g(x)$ be continuous, positive functions such that $f(-x) = g(x) - 1$, $f(x) = \dfrac{g(x)}{g(-x)}$ and $\int_{-20}^{20} f(x)\,dx = 2020$, then the value of $\int_{-20}^{20} \dfrac{f(x)}{g(x)}\,dx$ is:
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept: Using the property of definite integrals with substitution $x \to -x$ and the given functional equations.
Step 1: Establish a relationship for $g(-x)$ using the first given condition.
We are given that $f(-x) = g(x) - 1$. By replacing $x$ with $-x$ in this equation:
$$f(x) = g(-x) - 1$$
Therefore:
$$g(-x) = f(x) + 1$$
Step 2: Express $\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}$ in terms of $f(x)$.
We are given that $f(x) = \frac{g(x)}{g(-x)}$. Substituting $g(-x) = f(x) + 1$:
$$f(x) = \frac{g(x)}{f(x) + 1}$$
Multiplying both sides by $(f(x) + 1)$:
$$f(x)(f(x) + 1) = g(x)$$
Therefore:
$$\frac{f(x)}{g(x)} = \frac{f(x)}{f(x)(f(x) + 1)} = \frac{1}{f(x) + 1}$$
Step 3: Find a key relationship by adding $\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}$ and $\frac{f(-x)}{g(-x)}$.
We need to compute $\frac{f(-x)}{g(-x)}$. Using $f(-x) = g(x) - 1$ and $g(-x) = f(x) + 1$:
$$\frac{f(-x)}{g(-x)} = \frac{g(x) - 1}{f(x) + 1}$$
Adding the two fractions:
$$\frac{f(x)}{g(x)} + \frac{f(-x)}{g(-x)} = \frac{1}{f(x) + 1} + \frac{g(x) - 1}{f(x) + 1}$$
Combining over a common denominator:
$$= \frac{1 + g(x) - 1}{f(x) + 1} = \frac{g(x)}{f(x) + 1}$$
Since $g(x) = f(x)(f(x) + 1)$:
$$= \frac{f(x)(f(x) + 1)}{f(x) + 1} = f(x)$$
Step 4: Integrate both sides over the symmetric interval $[-20, 20]$.
Integrating the relationship from Step 3:
$$\int_{-20}^{20} \frac{f(x)}{g(x)}\,dx + \int_{-20}^{20} \frac{f(-x)}{g(-x)}\,dx = \int_{-20}^{20} f(x)\,dx = 2020$$
Step 5: Use substitution to show the two integrals on the left are equal.
Let $I = \int_{-20}^{20} \frac{f(x)}{g(x)}\,dx$. In the second integral, substitute $u = -x$ (so $du = -dx$):
$$\int_{-20}^{20} \frac{f(-x)}{g(-x)}\,dx = \int_{20}^{-20} \frac{f(u)}{g(u)}\,(-du) = \int_{-20}^{20} \frac{f(u)}{g(u)}\,du = I$$
Step 6: Solve for the desired integral.
From Step 4:
$$I + I = 2020$$
$$2I = 2020$$
$$I = 1010$$
Therefore, the value of $\int_{-20}^{20} \frac{f(x)}{g(x)}\,dx$ is $\boxed{1010}$.
The answer is **Option 1: 1010**.
Correct Answer: 1