Circle radius 2 complex integration

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the complex integral of the function \( \frac{1}{z^2+1} \) over a circle of radius 2, oriented counterclockwise. Participants explore various methods of integration, including the residue theorem and substitutions, while questioning the validity of certain approaches in complex analysis.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the integral \( \int_{\gamma}\frac{dz}{z^2+1} \) and seeks guidance on how to proceed from a specific point in the evaluation.
  • Another participant asserts that using the residue theorem leads to the conclusion that the integral is zero, but acknowledges that they are not trying to obtain the result that way.
  • Several participants discuss the implications of substituting variables in complex integrals, with one noting that their professor stated that such substitutions are not valid in complex analysis.
  • There is a contention regarding the evaluation of \( \int_0^{2\pi}\frac{dz}{z^2+1} \), with some participants arguing that it should yield a non-zero result based on real analysis, while others maintain that it equals zero in complex analysis.
  • One participant suggests that if the function is expressed in terms of real variables, substitutions might be valid, but this remains a point of contention.
  • Another participant illustrates a specific substitution and questions how to show that the integral is zero without relying on established theorems like Cauchy's Integral Formula.
  • There is a discussion about canceling terms in the integral and the implications of that action, with one participant confirming the result of \( 2\pi i \) for a different integral but reiterating that this was not the focus of their example.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the validity of certain integration techniques in complex analysis, particularly regarding substitutions and the application of the residue theorem. The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing perspectives on the evaluation of the integral.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in their approaches, such as the dependence on definitions and the potential for confusion regarding the validity of substitutions in complex analysis. There is also mention of unresolved mathematical steps in the evaluation process.

Dustinsfl
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Gamma is a circle of radius 2 oriented counterclockwise.

$$
\int_{\gamma}\frac{dz}{z^2+1} = \int_{\gamma} = \frac{i}{2}\left[\int_{\gamma}\frac{1}{z+i}dz-\int_{\gamma}\frac{1}{z-i}dz\right]
$$

$\gamma(t) = 2e^{it}, \ \ \gamma'(t) = 2ie^{it}$

$$
\int_{\gamma}\frac{2ie^{it}}{2e^{it}+i}dz
$$

Now what can I do from here (just looking at the first integral)?
 
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Using the residue theorem You easily find that is $\displaystyle \int_{\gamma} \frac{d z}{1+z^{2}}=0$...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
chisigma said:
Using the residue theorem You easily find that is $\displaystyle \int_{\gamma} \frac{d z}{1+z^{2}}=0$...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$

I know it is zero but I am not trying to obtain the result that way. I should get each integral is $2\pi i$ and when subtracted they are 0.
 
dwsmith said:
Gamma is a circle of radius 2 oriented counterclockwise.

$$
\int_{\gamma}\frac{dz}{z^2+1} = \int_{\gamma} = \frac{i}{2}\left[\int_{\gamma}\frac{1}{z+i}dz-\int_{\gamma}\frac{1}{z-i}dz\right]
$$

$\gamma(t) = 2e^{it}, \ \ \gamma'(t) = 2ie^{it}$

$$
\int_{\gamma}\frac{2ie^{it}}{2e^{it}+i}dz
$$

Now what can I do from here (just looking at the first integral)?

First off, the integral you need to evaluate is $\displaystyle\int_{\gamma}\frac{dz}{z+i} = \int_0^{2\pi} \frac{2ie^{it}}{2e^{it}+i}\,dt$, given that $\gamma(t) = 2e^{it}$, $t\in[0,2\pi]$.

To integrate that, you need to make the substitution $u=2e^{it}+i\implies\,du = 2ie^{it}\,dt$ (also note that the limits of integration change as well) such that the integral becomes $\displaystyle\int_{2+i}^{2+i}\frac{du}{u} = 0$.

The other integral is computed in a similar fashion.

I hope this helps!
 
Last edited:
Chris L T521 said:
First off, the integral you need to evaluate is $\displaystyle\int_{\gamma}\frac{dz}{z+i} = \int_0^{2\pi} \frac{2ie^{it}}{2e^{it}+i}\,dt$, given that $\gamma(t) = 2e^{it}$, $t\in[0,2\pi]$.

To integrate that, you need to make the substitution $u=2e^{it}+i\implies\,du = 2ie^{it}\,dt$ (also note that the limits of integration change as well) such that the integral becomes $\displaystyle\int_{2+i}^{2+i}\frac{du}{u} = 0$.

The other integral is computed in a similar fashion.

I hope this helps!

our prof said there is no u sub for complex analysis because every closed path would be zero when that isn't always the case.
 
Is this valid:

$\int_0^{2\pi}\frac{dz}{z^2+1} = \left[\tan^{-1}(z)\right|_0^{2\pi}=0$
 
dwsmith said:
Is this valid:

$\int_0^{2\pi}\frac{dz}{z^2+1} = \left[\tan^{-1}(z)\right|_0^{2\pi}=0$

In real analysis, above integral equals $\arctan(2\pi)$ (the area most exist, can't be $0$)
 
Also sprach Zarathustra said:
In real analysis, above integral equals $\arctan(2\pi)$ (the area most exist, can't be $0$)

This is a line integral in complex analysis and I know the answer to this integral is 0.
The question is how to show it without using Cauchy Integral Formula or Residue Theory.
 
dwsmith said:
our prof said there is no u sub for complex analysis because every closed path would be zero when that isn't always the case.

Once the function is in terms of real variables (in this case t), i can be treated as a constant and u substitutions are then valid...
 
  • #10
Prove It said:
Once the function is in terms of real variables (in this case t), i can be treated as a constant and u substitutions are then valid...

I think I understand what my professor means. If we substitute,

$\int_{\gamma}\frac{1}{z}dz = \int_0^{2\pi}\frac{ie^{it}}{e^{it}}dt$

The numerator is the derivative of the denominator so substitutions is viable here as well.

$\int_1^1\frac{du}{u}=0\neq 2\pi i$.

Also, $\int_0^{2\pi}\frac{dz}{z+i} = 2\pi i$ by Cauchy's Integral Formula. However, the intend is not to use that. So how can you make a substitution that says the integral is 0 when we know that is simply not true.

---------- Post added at 10:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:06 AM ----------

Here is what I am thinking now.

$\displaystyle\int_0^{2\pi}\frac{dz}{z+i} = \int_0^{2\pi}\frac{dz}{x+i(y+1)}$

Let $w=y+1$. Then
$\displaystyle\int_0^{2\pi}\frac{dz}{x+iw} =\int_0^{2\pi}\frac{dz}{z_0}$

Could this work?
 
Last edited:
  • #11
dwsmith said:
If we substitute,

$\int_{\gamma}\frac{1}{z}dz = \int_0^{2\pi}\frac{ie^{it}}{e^{it}}dt$
If you then cancel $e^{it}$ top and bottom in that fraction, you get $\int_{\gamma}\frac{1}{z}dz = \int_0^{2\pi}\frac{ie^{it}}{e^{it}}dt = \int_0^{2\pi}i\,dt = \bigl[it\bigr]_0^{2\pi} = 2\pi i,$ as required.
 
  • #12
Opalg said:
If you then cancel $e^{it}$ top and bottom in that fraction, you get $\int_{\gamma}\frac{1}{z}dz = \int_0^{2\pi}\frac{ie^{it}}{e^{it}}dt = \int_0^{2\pi}i\,dt = \bigl[it\bigr]_0^{2\pi} = 2\pi i,$ as required.

I understand that. That wasn't the point of that example.
 

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