MHB Circle radius 2 complex integration

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The discussion centers on evaluating the integral of a function over a circle of radius 2 using complex integration techniques. The integral $$\int_{\gamma}\frac{dz}{z^2+1}$$ is analyzed, with participants noting that it equals zero due to the residue theorem. There is debate about the validity of using substitutions in complex analysis, with some arguing that every closed path integral should yield zero, while others assert that substitutions can be valid when the function is expressed in real variables. The conversation highlights the challenges of demonstrating the integral's value without relying on established theorems like Cauchy's Integral Formula. Ultimately, the participants seek alternative methods to confirm the integral's result while grappling with the nuances of complex analysis.
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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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