An Unsolvable Integral (according to Matlab)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the inability to solve a specific integral using Matlab, which participants explore through comparisons with other software like Mathcad and Mathematica. The integral in question involves an exponential function divided by a quadratic expression and is evaluated over an infinite range.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant reports that Matlab fails to compute the integral, providing a warning that an explicit integral could not be found.
  • Another participant suggests that the software may utilize the theorem of residues to evaluate such integrals, noting the presence of simple poles in the integrand.
  • A participant mentions not finding a related integral in a specific reference, indicating a lack of resources for similar problems.
  • Further clarification is sought regarding the reference "G & R," which is identified as "Gradshtyn & Rytzhik, 'Tables of Series, Integrals and Products'."
  • One participant shares a closely related integral computed by Mathematica, which presents a complex expression involving special functions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on how to solve the integral in Matlab, and there are multiple competing views regarding the methods used by different software to evaluate integrals of this nature.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the limitations of Matlab in handling certain integrals, as well as the potential reliance on advanced mathematical techniques like residue theory, which may not be universally applicable or understood among participants.

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Hello!

I have the following problem: I cannot solve the integral below by the means of Matlab.
[tex] \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \frac{e^{-t^2}}{\left(2-t\right)^2 + 16} dt[/tex]​
When I write the following in Matlab
Code:
>> syms t;
>> y = exp(-t^2) / (16 + (2 - t)^2);
>> int(y, t, -inf, inf)
it gives me the output :bugeye:
Code:
Warning: Explicit integral could not be found.
> In sym.int at 58
 
ans =
 
int(exp(-t^2)/(16+(2-t)^2),t = -Inf .. Inf)

I managed to calculate the integral by the means of both Mathcad and Mathematica. Mathcad gave 0.088 as an answer (I had to explicitly specify "Infinite Limit" as a method). Mathematica gave me 0.0880741, I used the NIntegrate function:

[tex] \mbox{NIntegrate}\left[\frac{e^{-t^2}}{\left(2-t\right)^2 + 16}, \left\{t, -\infty, \infty \right\} \right][/tex]​

Does anyone have an idea, how I can solve this integral in Matlab? What do Mathcad and Mathematica use in order to solve it?

Thanks!
 
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I think it/they use(s) the theorem of residues.The integrand has simple poles at [itex]2\mp 4i[/itex].

Daniel.
 
I didn't find this integral in G & R 5-th edition,CD version

[tex]\int_{0}^{\infty} \frac{e^{-ax^{2}+bx+c}}{x^{2}+d^{2}} \ dx[/tex]

,but this one was

[tex]\int_{0}^{\infty} \frac{e^{-\mu^{2}x^{2}}}{x^{2}+b^{2}} \ dx[/tex]

Daniel.
 
Last edited:
dextercioby said:
G & R 5-th edition,CD version

Could you please explain what "G & R" is?
 
Gradshtyn & Rytzhik,"Tables of Series,Integrals and Products",Academic Press,5-th edition,CD version.

Daniel.
 
Here it is,courtesy of Mathematica,a closely related integral.

[tex]\int_{-\infty}^{+\infty} \frac{e^{-x^{2}}}{(2-x)^{2}+4} \ dx =\frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{6}\left[3\sqrt{\pi}\cos 8-12 \ _{1}F_{2}\left(1,\frac{3}{4},\frac{5}{4};-16\right) +64 \ _{1}F_{2}\left(1,\frac{5}{4},\frac{7}{4};-16\right)\right][/tex]

Daniel.
 

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