Can I Use Antiderivatives to Evaluate this Complex Integral?

In summary, the student is trying to solve an integral using the real and imaginary parts, but is unsure of how to do it. He suggests using a substitution, but notes that this would make the problem harder. He also suggests using integration by parts, but notes that this would also make the problem harder. The student then suggests using the antiderivative, which seems to work fine.
  • #1
Macykc2
13
1

Homework Statement


I need to evaluate the following integral using the antiderivative:
$$\int log^2(z) \, dz$$
I don't know how to make a subscript for the integral sign, there should be a "c" on the bottom part. C is any contour from ##π## to ##i##, not crossing the non-positive x-axis.

Homework Equations


Given above

The Attempt at a Solution


The only thing I can think of is to do a substitution, such as u=logz, like in the real case but I haven't officially learned if that's possible so I don't know if I can do it, nor if I even have to. And it specifically says to use the antiderivative so I can't parameterize.
 
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  • #2
Did you try integration by parts?
 
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  • #3
Integration by parts...
u = (log(x))^2
dv = 1dx
 
  • #4
sunnnystrong said:
Integration by parts...
u = (log(x))^2
dv = 1dx
If I understand that post correctly, that will make it worse. There is a better choice of the two parts.
 
  • #5
mfb said:
If I understand that post correctly, that will make it worse. There is a better choice of the two parts.

well, i don't want to post the solution but if you use u = log^2(x) than it will reduce the power on the log by 1 and leave you with an easier problem to integrate :)
 
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  • #6
sunnnystrong said:
well, i don't want to post the solution but if you use u = log^2(x) than it will reduce the power on the log by 1 and leave you with an easier problem to integrate :)
It works out fine with u=ln(z) and v'=ln(z), but you are right that your way is easier.
 
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  • #7
Oh wait, for post 4 I was imagining logs in the denominator for some reason.
Ignore post 4, both approaches work and the one from sunnnystrong is easier.
 
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  • #8
Macykc2 said:

Homework Statement


I need to evaluate the following integral using the antiderivative:
$$\int log^2(z) \, dz$$
I don't know how to make a subscript for the integral sign, there should be a "c" on the bottom part. C is any contour from ##π## to ##i##, not crossing the non-positive x-axis.

Homework Equations


Given above

The Attempt at a Solution


The only thing I can think of is to do a substitution, such as u=logz, like in the real case but I haven't officially learned if that's possible so I don't know if I can do it, nor if I even have to. And it specifically says to use the antiderivative so I can't parameterize.

You just put a '_C' next to your int instruction, to get ##\int_C \log^2 (z) \, dz##. Right-click on the formula and ask for a display of math as tex commands, to see how it is done.

As for using antiderivatives: see, eg.,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiderivative_(complex_analysis).
 
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