Answer: The integral evaluates to \(\sqrt{\pi}\).
Explanation:
The integral \(\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} e^{-x^2} dx\) is a classic Gaussian integral. Its value is \(\sqrt{\pi}\). The formulas and series expansions involving cosine and sine functions, as well as the quadratic formula for solving quadratic equations, are related to the broader context of Fourier series and solving quadratic equations, but the core of this problem hinges on recognizing the Gaussian integral.
Steps:
- Recognize the integral:
is a well-known integral in calculus, often called the Gaussian integral.
- The integral cannot be expressed in terms of elementary functions directly, but its value is known:
- The formulas involving \(f(x)\), the series with \(a_n\), \(b_n\), and the quadratic formula are part of Fourier series expansion and quadratic solutions, respectively, but they are not directly used to evaluate this integral.
Summary:
The integral evaluates to \(\boxed{\sqrt{\pi}}\). This is a fundamental result in probability theory, physics, and mathematics related to the normal distribution and Fourier analysis.