Can This Complex Integral Be Proven Rational?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter anemone
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The integral $$\int_{-100}^{-10} \left(\frac{x^2-2}{x^3-3x+1}\right)^2\,dx+\int_{\frac{1}{101}}^{\frac{1}{11}} \left(\frac{x^2-2}{x^3-3x+1}\right)^2\,dx + \int_{\frac{101}{100}}^{\frac{11}{10}} \left(\frac{x^2-2}{x^3-3x+1}\right)^2\,dx $$ has been proven to yield a rational number. The proof involves evaluating the integrals over specified intervals and applying techniques from calculus and algebraic manipulation. The function involved, $$\left(\frac{x^2-2}{x^3-3x+1}\right)^2$$, is continuous and well-defined over the given ranges, ensuring the integrals converge to a rational result.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of integral calculus
  • Familiarity with rational functions
  • Knowledge of algebraic manipulation techniques
  • Experience with evaluating definite integrals
NEXT STEPS
  • Study techniques for evaluating definite integrals of rational functions
  • Learn about the properties of continuous functions over closed intervals
  • Explore methods for proving integrals yield rational results
  • Investigate the implications of rational numbers in calculus
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, calculus students, and anyone interested in advanced integral evaluation and rational number proofs will benefit from this discussion.

anemone
Gold Member
MHB
POTW Director
Messages
3,851
Reaction score
115
Here is this week's POTW:

-----

Prove that $$\int_{-100}^{-10} \left(\frac{x^2-2}{x^3-3x+1}\right)^2\,dx+\int_{\frac{1}{101}}^{\frac{1}{11}} \left(\frac{x^2-2}{x^3-3x+1}\right)^2\,dx + \int_{\frac{101}{100}}^{\frac{11}{10}} \left(\frac{x^2-2}{x^3-3x+1}\right)^2\,dx $$ is a rational number.

-----

Remember to read the https://mathhelpboards.com/showthread.php?772-Problem-of-the-Week-%28POTW%29-Procedure-and-Guidelines to find out how to https://mathhelpboards.com/forms.php?do=form&fid=2!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
No one answered last week POTW.:( You can find the suggested solution as follows:

The polynomial $x^3-3x+1$ changes sign in each of the interval $\left[-2,\,-1\right],\,\left[\dfrac{1}{3},\,\dfrac{1}{2}\right],\,\left[\dfrac{3}{2},\,2\right]$. So it has no zeroes outside these intervals. Hence the integral in question is continuous on the three ranges of integration.

By the substitution $x=\dfrac{1}{1-t}$ and $x=1-\dfrac{1}{t}$, the intervals over $\left[\dfrac{1}{101},\,\dfrac{1}{11}\right]$ and $\left[\dfrac{101}{100},\,\dfrac{11}{10}\right]$ are respectively converted into integrals over $\left[-100,\,-10\right]$.

The integrand

$P(x)=\left(\dfrac{x^2-x}{x^3-3x+1}\right)^2$

is invariant under each of the substitution $x\rightarrow \dfrac{1}{1-x}$ and $x\rightarrow 1-\dfrac{1}{x}$.

Hence the sum of the three given integrals is expressible as

$$\int_{-100}^{-10} \left(\frac{x^2-2}{x^3-3x+1}\right)^2 \left(1+\dfrac{1}{x^2}+\dfrac{1}{(1-x)^2}\right)\,dx $$

But

$\dfrac{1}{P(x)}=\left(x+1-\dfrac{1}{x}-\dfrac{1}{x-1}\right)^2$

So the last integral is of the form $$\int u^{-2}\,du $$.

Hence, its value is

$ \left.-\dfrac{x^2-x}{x^3-3x+1}\right|_{-100}^{-10}$, which is rational.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K