An Analytical Approach to Evaluating an Integral

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the analytical evaluation of the integral \(\int\limits_0^{2\pi } {\sqrt {1 + \left( {h k\cos kx} \right)^2 } dx}\). Participants explore its implications for understanding the length of a function defined by \(y=h\sin kx\) over the interval [0, 2π], particularly in relation to how the length \(L(h,k)\) changes with respect to the parameters \(h\) and \(k\).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the existence of an analytical method to evaluate the integral, emphasizing that it is not a homework problem but rather a curious exploration.
  • Another participant elaborates on the relationship between the parameters \(h\) and \(k\) and the length \(L(h,k)\), raising questions about the second derivatives \(\frac{{\partial ^2 L}}{{\partial h^2 }}\) and \(\frac{{\partial ^2 L}}{{\partial k^2 }}\), as well as the comparison between \(\frac{{\partial L}}{{\partial h}}\) and \(\frac{{\partial L}}{{\partial k}}\).
  • A later reply mentions that the integral can be expressed in terms of an elliptic integral of the second kind, noting that such integrals are not elementary functions.
  • Another participant provides a specific expression for \(L(h,k)\) involving elliptic integrals and discusses the application of the Product Rule for differentiation with respect to \(h\) and \(k\).
  • There is a request for guidance on differentiating elliptic integrals, specifically how to find \(\frac{\partial }{{\partial h}}E\) and \(\frac{\partial }{{\partial k}}E\).
  • One participant suggests consulting resources on special functions or documentation to aid in understanding the differentiation of elliptic integrals.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints regarding the evaluation of the integral and its implications, but no consensus is reached on the methods for differentiation or the behavior of the second derivatives.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the complexity of evaluating the integral and differentiating elliptic integrals, with participants acknowledging the limitations of their current approaches and the need for further exploration of special functions.

bomba923
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(This is not homework, just part of a curious problem)

Is there an analytical (non-numerical) method/way to evaluate
\int\limits_0^{2\pi } {\sqrt {1 + \left( {h k\cos kx} \right)^2 } dx}
?
 
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Alright, perhaps I should explain a bit...
(the "curious problem" I referred to)

Let y=h\sin kx, where h,k \in \mathbb{R}^{+}.

The length 'L' of this function on the x-interval [0,2π] can be expressed
as a function of 'h' and 'k'. In other words,
L\left( {h,k} \right) = \int\limits_0^{2\pi } {\sqrt {1 + \left( {hk\cos kx} \right)^2 } dx}

Obviously,
\frac{\partial L}{\partial h} > 0\;{\text{and }}\frac{\partial L}{\partial k} > 0
--------------------
*But...precisely 'how' does L increase with h and/or k ?

Is
\frac{{\partial ^2 L}}{{\partial h^2 }} > 0\;{\text{and }}\frac{{\partial ^2 L}}{{\partial k^2 }} > 0\;?

Also, is
\frac{{\partial L}}{{\partial h}} > \frac{{\partial L}}{{\partial k}}\;?

*And so, to answer these questions,
it would greatly help to analytically evaluate the integral
\int\limits_0^{2\pi } {\sqrt {1 + \left( {hk\cos kx} \right)^2 } dx}

so that I may derive ∂L/∂h and ∂L/∂k, as well as ∂L2/∂h2 and ∂L2/∂k2 :shy:
 
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The analytical evaluation of that integral involves an elliptic integral of the second kind (you may go to this page http://www.hostsrv.com/webmab/app1/MSP/quickmath/02/pageGenerate?site=quickmath&s1=calculus&s2=integrate&s3=advanced and put

sqrt(1+(h*k*cos(k*x))^2)

into the input box marked EXPRESSION, and put

x,0,2pi

into the input box marked VARIABLE(S)&LIMITS to get an exact pression for the integral); know that an elliptic integral of the second kind is not an elementary function (e.g. it's not pretty).
 
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When I simplified the integrator's evaluation (remember that h,k \in \mathbb{R}^{+}),
I find that
L\left( {h,k} \right) = \int\limits_0^{2\pi } {\sqrt {1 + \left( {hk\cos 2k\pi} \right)^2 } dx} = \frac{{\sqrt {h^2 k^2 + 1} }}{k}E\left( {2k\pi\left| {\frac{{h^2 k^2 }}{{h^2 k^2 + 1}}} \right.} \right)

To find ∂L/∂h and ∂L/∂k, I applied the Product Rule:
\begin{gathered}<br /> \frac{\partial }{{\partial h}}\left[ {\frac{{\sqrt {h^2 k^2 + 1} }}{k}E\left( {2k\pi \left| {\frac{{h^2 k^2 }}{{h^2 k^2 + 1}}} \right.} \right)} \right] = \hfill \\<br /> \frac{{hk}}{{\sqrt {h^2 k^2 + 1} }}E\left( {2k\pi \left| {\frac{{h^2 k^2 }}{{h^2 k^2 + 1}}} \right.} \right) + \frac{{\sqrt {h^2 k^2 + 1} }}{k}\frac{\partial }<br /> {{\partial h}}E\left( {2k\pi \left| {\frac{{h^2 k^2 }}{{h^2 k^2 + 1}}} \right.} \right) \hfill \\ <br /> \end{gathered}

and
\begin{gathered}<br /> \frac{\partial }{{\partial k}}\left[ {\frac{{\sqrt {h^2 k^2 + 1} }}{k}E\left( {2k\pi \left| {\frac{{h^2 k^2 }}{{h^2 k^2 + 1}}} \right.} \right)} \right] = \hfill \\<br /> \frac{{ - 1}}{{k^2 \sqrt {h^2 k^2 + 1} }}E\left( {2k\pi \left| {\frac{{h^2 k^2 }}{{h^2 k^2 + 1}}} \right.} \right) + \frac{{\sqrt {h^2 k^2 + 1} }}{k}\frac{\partial }<br /> {{\partial k}}E\left( {2k\pi \left| {\frac{{h^2 k^2 }}{{h^2 k^2 + 1}}} \right.} \right) \hfill \\ <br /> \end{gathered}*But, how do you differentiate an elliptic integral?
--
-In other words, how can I find
\frac{\partial }{{\partial h}}E\left( {2k\pi\left| {\frac{{h^2 k^2 }}<br /> {{h^2 k^2 + 1}}} \right.} \right)

and
\frac{\partial }{{\partial k}}E\left( {2k\pi\left| {\frac{{h^2 k^2 }}<br /> {{h^2 k^2 + 1}}} \right.} \right)

?
 
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Do some documentation on mathworld.com or some book on special functions...

Daniel.
 

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