Can you solve the funny integral with a square root of tangent?

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    Funny Integral
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral \(\int \sqrt{\tan x}\, dx\) and explores various mathematical approaches and related integrals. Participants share their experiences with different mathematical software and propose alternative integrals that they find interesting or challenging.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that various mathematical software fail to solve the integral \(\int \sqrt{\tan x}\, dx\), while others provide specific outputs from different software packages.
  • One participant shares a transformation of the integral into a different form involving \(\int \frac{u^2}{1+u^4}du\) and expresses uncertainty about proving the antiderivative.
  • Another participant mentions a related integral, \(\int_0^{\frac \pi 2} \ln ( \sin x ) \, dx\), and questions whether software can provide the answer \(-\frac{\pi}{2} \ln 2\).
  • Several participants discuss methods to approach the integral \(\int \frac{u^2}{u^4 + 1} du\), with one providing a detailed breakdown of their method.
  • There are mentions of other "funny" integrals, including \(\int \frac{1}{1+x^4}\,dx\), with participants discussing the complexities involved in solving them.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the solvability of the integral \(\int \sqrt{\tan x}\, dx\) using mathematical software, as experiences vary. Multiple competing views on methods and results are present throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some methods proposed depend on specific transformations or substitutions that may not be universally applicable. The discussion includes various assumptions and conditions that are not fully resolved.

Gellmann
[SOLVED] funny integral

hi everyone

its funny but all maths-software fail solving this "simple" integral

\int \sqrt{\tan x}\, dx

do you know another funny integrals?
 
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Mathematica gives an answer:

\frac{-2 \tan ^{-1}\left(1-\sqrt{2} \tan ^{\frac{1}{2}}(x)\right)+2 \tan ^{-1}\left(\sqrt{2} \tan ^{\frac{1}{2}}(x)+1\right)+\log<br /> \left(-\tan (x)+\sqrt{2} \tan ^{\frac{1}{2}}(x)-1\right)-\log \left(\tan (x)+\sqrt{2} \tan ^{\frac{1}{2}}(x)+1\right)}{2<br /> \sqrt{2}}
 
\int \sqrt{\tan(x)}dx=\int\frac{\sec^2(x)}{1+\tan^2(x)}\sqrt{\tan(x)}dx=\int\frac{2\tan(x)}{1+\tan^2(x)}d\sqrt{\tan(x)}
so it hinges on the always fun
\int\frac{x^2}{1+x^4}dx
 
What is about this integral .. ?

\int_0^{\frac \pi 2} \ln ( \sin x ) . \ dx

Can the mathematical softwares, such as Maple amd Mathematica give you
the answer :- \frac \pi 2 \ln 2 ?
 
Last edited:
Ali 2 said:
What is about this integral .. ?

\int_0^{\pi/2} \ln ( \sin x ) . \ dx

Change ln to its integral form (so you get a double integral) and use change of variables on that form.
 
hypermorphism said:
Change ln to its integral form (so you get a double integral) and use change of variables on that form.

Unfortunately, I edited my previous replay after you replied .. !

I wanted to say that the answer of this integral can't be obtained by Maple or Mathematica ..

Also , I solved the integral with a method different from your method .
 
Last edited:
lurflurf said:
\int \sqrt{\tan(x)}dx=\int\frac{\sec^2(x)}{1+\tan^2(x)}\sqrt{\tan(x)}dx=\int\frac{2\tan(x)}{1+\tan^2(x)}d\sqrt{\tan(x)}
so it hinges on the always fun
\int\frac{x^2}{1+x^4}dx

Wow, I was looking up ways to figure out how to use the LaTeX graphics so that I type \int \sqrt{\tan(x)}dx and ask for help solving that. It's a funny coincidence that I stumbled into this thread. I'm a very lucky person.

Anyway... I can transform the integral into 2\int\frac{u^2}{1+u^4}du. I know what the antiderivative of that is is (I found it in a book of mathematical tables), but I don't know how to prove it. Do you happen to know how to find the antiderivative of \frac{u^2}{1+u^4}?
 
Last edited:
Gellmann said:
hi everyone
its funny but all maths-software fail solving this "simple" integral
\int \sqrt{\tan x}\, dx
do you know another funny integrals?
There was a long thread on this a while back. Can't find it though. Another strange one I've found (similar to one posted above) is:

\int\frac{1}{1+x^4}\,dx

You have to use that fact that x4+1=(x2+1)2-2x2. And then use the difference of two squares. It gets messy.

Alex
 
Gellmann said:
hi everyone
its funny but all maths-software fail solving this "simple" integral
\int \sqrt{\tan x}\, dx
do you know another funny integrals?

You didn't try Derive 6! :)
 
  • #10
Gellmann said:
hi everyone
its funny but all maths-software fail solving this "simple" integral
\int \sqrt{\tan x}\, dx
do you know another funny integrals?

Not all, my ancient version of Maple (5.3 i guess) gives

\int \sqrt{\tan x}dx=\frac{1}{2}\sqrt{2}\arctan \sqrt{2}\frac{\tan ^{\frac{1}{2}}x}{1-\tan x}-\frac{1}{2}\sqrt{2}\ln \frac{\tan x+\sqrt{2}\tan ^{\frac{1}{2}}x+1}{\sqrt{\left( 1+\tan ^{2}x\right) }} + C.

Daniel.
 
  • #11
Gellman,

Incidentally, MuPAD also gives the correct result. What package were you using?
 
  • #12
This a method to solve the integral ..
\int \frac { u^2 } { u^4 +1 } du =\frac 12 \int \frac { 2u^2 } { u^4 +1 } du = \frac 12 \int \frac { u^2 -1 } { u^4 +1 } du + \frac { u^2 +1 } { u^4 +1 } du
= \frac 12 \int \frac { 1 - \frac 1 {u^2} }{ u^2 + \frac 1{u^2} } du<br /> +\frac 12 \int \frac { 1 + \frac 1 {u^2} }{ u^2 + \frac 1{u^2} } du<br />
= \frac 12 \int \frac { 1 - \frac 1 {u^2} }{ \left (u + \frac 1u \right ) ^2 -1 } du<br /> +\frac 12 \int \frac { 1 + \frac 1 {u^2} }{ \left (u - \frac 1u \right)^2 +1 } du
=\frac 12 \int \frac { d \left (u + \frac 1u \right ) }{ \left (u + \frac 1u \right ) ^2 -1 } <br /> +\frac 12 \int \frac { d \left (u - \frac 1u \right ) }{ \left (u - \frac 1u \right)^2 +1 }

\mbox { In the first integral , make the subsitution :} v = u + \frac 1u
\mbox { and in the second integral , make the subsitution : } v = u - \frac 1u

The integrals become now simple , you can integrate them easily
 
Last edited:
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  • #13
apmcavoy said:
There was a long thread on this a while back. Can't find it though. Another strange one I've found (similar to one posted above) is:
\int\frac{1}{1+x^4}\,dx
You have to use that fact that x4+1=(x2+1)2-2x2. And then use the difference of two squares. It gets messy.
Alex


Yes, that fact indeed. Read attached gif, see what is meant.
 

Attachments

  • Int(1 over t^4+1)dt(enlarged).gif
    Int(1 over t^4+1)dt(enlarged).gif
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