Closed form solution for this integral

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    Closed Form Integral
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral ##\int_0^\infty \exp(-Kx) \arctan(x) dx##, with participants exploring the possibility of expressing it in a closed form as a function of the variable K. The focus includes algebraic manipulations, integration techniques, and the implications for optimizing K in a broader objective function.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that there appears to be no closed form solution for the integral, while suggesting the potential for expressing it in terms of cosine and sine integrals, Ci(x) and Si(x).
  • Another participant proposes using integration by parts with specific choices for u and dv, leading to a related integral that can be expressed in terms of Ci and Si.
  • A later reply presents a complex expression involving the exponential integral function Ei, indicating a connection to the previous discussion about Ci and Si.
  • There is a request for the derivative of Ei in terms of basic functions, with acknowledgment that the overall optimization problem remains complex and cannot be simplified by merely setting the derivative to zero.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the existence of a closed form solution for the integral, with multiple approaches being discussed but no consensus reached on a definitive method or outcome.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the complexity of the integral and the challenges in deriving a closed form solution, with various mathematical techniques being explored but not leading to a straightforward resolution.

Oedipus
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After series of algebraic simplifications, I ended up with the following integral:

##\int_0^\infty \exp(-Kx) \arctan(x) dx ##

As far as I searched, there is no closed form solution for the integral. But, K is my design variable that I need to optimize later. To do this, I need to take K out of the integral. Can you manipulate this integral to express e.g., as a closed form function of K, multiplied with an integral independent of K?
 
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Oedipus said:
As far as I searched, there is no closed form solution for the integral.
I guess there is a closed form in terms of cosine and sine integrals, Ci(x) and Si(x) respectively. If you are interested in this way, try solving that integral using partial integration first by choosing ##dv = e^{-Kx}dx## and ##u = \arctan x##. For the integral ##\int v \ du## you will get
$$
\int_0^{\infty} \frac{\exp(-Kx)}{1+x^2} \ dx
$$
This integral can be shown to have the result expressible in terms of ##\textrm{Ci}(K)## and ##\textrm{Si}(K)##. These integrals have a "friendly" derivative when you want to find the optimal ##K##. Although the ultimate solution for ##K## might not be solvable analytically.
 
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Thank you blue_leaf77. I tried but it is still very difficult to solve for optimal K. My overall expression for the objective is in fact a function of this integral. Here I only provided the most problematic part.

After integration by parts I have,

## \begin{aligned}
\frac{1}{K}\int_0^\infty \frac{\exp(-Kx)}{1+x^2}dx &= \frac{i}{2K}\left[ e^{iK}\text{Ei}(-K(x+i)) - e^{-iK}\text{Ei}(-K(x-i)) \right]^{x=\infty}_{x=0}\\
&=\frac{i}{2K}\left[ -e^{iK}\text{Ei}(-iK)) + e^{-iK}\text{Ei}(iK) \right]\end{aligned}##

where ##\text{Ei}(x)=-\int_{-x}^\infty\frac{e^{-t}}{t}dt## or ##\text{Ei}(x)=-\int_{1}^\infty\frac{e^{tx}}{t}dt##. This is the same as what you said when ##\text{Ci(x)}## and ##\text{Si(x)}## are replaced with ##\text{Ei(x)}##.
 
Oedipus said:
Thank you blue_leaf77. I tried but it is still very difficult to solve for optimal K. My overall expression for the objective is in fact a function of this integral. Here I only provided the most problematic part.

After integration by parts I have,

## \begin{aligned}
\frac{1}{K}\int_0^\infty \frac{\exp(-Kx)}{1+x^2}dx &= \frac{i}{2K}\left[ e^{iK}\text{Ei}(-K(x+i)) - e^{-iK}\text{Ei}(-K(x-i)) \right]^{x=\infty}_{x=0}\\
&=\frac{i}{2K}\left[ -e^{iK}\text{Ei}(-iK)) + e^{-iK}\text{Ei}(iK) \right]\end{aligned}##

where ##\text{Ei}(x)=-\int_{-x}^\infty\frac{e^{-t}}{t}dt## or ##\text{Ei}(x)=-\int_{1}^\infty\frac{e^{tx}}{t}dt##. This is the same as what you said when ##\text{Ci(x)}## and ##\text{Si(x)}## are replaced with ##\text{Ei(x)}##.
If you can get the derivative of ##\textrm{Ei}(x)## in terms of basic functions I think that will be helpful, have you found it?
 
blue_leaf77 said:
If you can get the derivative of ##\textrm{Ei}(x)## in terms of basic functions I think that will be helpful, have you found it?
The derivative of ##\text{Ei}(x)## can be calculated, but the overall optimization problem I am attempting cannot be solved simply by setting the derivative to zero.
 

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