Complex analysis - an integral with branch cuts

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The integral in question involves complex analysis and requires careful consideration of branch cuts due to the square root in the denominator. The user attempted to complexify the integral but received feedback suggesting that this approach may not simplify the problem. Instead, breaking down the numerator into simpler fractions or using partial fractions could lead to useful cancellations. Additionally, it was noted that the integrand is even, which allows for the possibility of integrating from 0 to infinity to simplify the calculation. There is also a question regarding the convergence of the integral, indicating a need for further analysis.
Loro
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Homework Statement



Hi, I need to calculate the following integral:

\int_{-\infty}^{+\infty}dx \frac{(\pi+\sqrt{x^2+m^2})^2(1+\cos x)}{(x^2-\pi^2)^2\sqrt{x^2+m^2}}

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried complexifying it:

\oint dz \frac{(\pi+\sqrt{z^2+m^2})^2(1+e^{iz})}{(z^2-\pi^2)^2\sqrt{z^2+m^2}}

And having this over the following contour (sorry for the quality of the image):

https://www.dropbox.com/s/t7ioou1kjs3y7ej/paint.jpg?dl=0

The red dots are the poles at: \pm\pi and \pm im.

But is it a valid contour in this case, or should I pay extra attention to the branch cuts of the sqrt in the denominator? If so, how do I choose the contour properly?
 

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Loro said:

Homework Statement



Hi, I need to calculate the following integral:

\int_{-\infty}^{+\infty}dx \frac{(\pi+\sqrt{x^2+m^2})^2(1+\cos x)}{(x^2-\pi^2)^2\sqrt{x^2+m^2}}

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried complexifying it:

\oint dz \frac{(\pi+\sqrt{z^2+m^2})^2(1+e^{iz})}{(z^2-\pi^2)^2\sqrt{z^2+m^2}}

And having this over the following contour (sorry for the quality of the image):

https://www.dropbox.com/s/t7ioou1kjs3y7ej/paint.jpg?dl=0

The red dots are the poles at: \pm\pi and \pm im.

But is it a valid contour in this case, or should I pay extra attention to the branch cuts of the sqrt in the denominator? If so, how do I choose the contour properly?

Well let me start off by saying that improper integrals are by no means my specialty, but I'll try to offer some assistance if that's alright.

I don't know if I would "complexify " the integral like that, as I'm not sure that really simplifies it.

What I am noticing however, is that you have similar terms in the numerator and denominator, and that makes me think expanding your numerator and splitting it up into 2 (or more) fractions might be helpful, as you might get some useful cancellations.

If that didn't work for me, I might try rewriting this whole thing (or maybe the new split up fraction) by splitting the denominator via partial fractions.

Have you tried any of these things? If so I'd be curious to see what it looked like.
 
With a little grunting you can get
<br /> \begin{align*}<br /> \dfrac{(\pi + \sqrt{x^2 + m^2})^2 (1 + \cos(x))}{(x^2 - \pi^2)^2 \sqrt{x^2+m^2}} &amp; = %<br /> \dfrac{(\pi^2 + 2 \pi \sqrt{x^2 + m^2} + (x^2 + m^2))(1+\cos(x))} {%<br /> (x^2-\pi^2)^2 \sqrt{x^2 + m^2}} \\<br /> &amp; = T1 + T2 + T3 \text{ where}\\<br /> T1 &amp; = \dfrac{\pi^2 (1+\cos(x))}{(x^2-\pi^2)^2 \sqrt{x^2 + m^2}} \\<br /> T2 &amp; = \dfrac{2 \pi(1+\cos(x))}{(x^2-\pi^2)^2} \\<br /> T3 &amp; = \dfrac{\sqrt{x^2 + m^2}(1+\cos(x))}{(x^2-\pi^2)^2}<br /> \end{align*}<br />

You can also note that your integrand is even so you can try integrating from 0 to ∞ and see if that helps.

Are you sure this integral converges?
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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