Contour integration with rational function and cosh

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the integral \(\int_{0}^{\infty}\frac{1}{(4x^{2}+\pi^{2})\cosh(x)}dx\) and its relation to complex analysis techniques, particularly contour integration. Participants explore various approaches to tackle the problem, including the use of different contour shapes and residue calculations.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests starting with a rectangular contour but later considers a semicircular contour to evaluate the integral.
  • Another participant notes the presence of a double pole at \(\frac{\pi i}{2}\) and calculates the residue using the Laurent series, arriving at \(\frac{-i}{4\pi^{2}}\).
  • There is a mention of additional poles for \(\cosh z=0\) at \(z=i(2k+1)\frac{\pi}{2}\), indicating a need to consider these in the contour choice.
  • A participant proposes a substitution \(t=\frac{\pi x}{2}\) leading to a transformed integral and references an identity involving a series derived from the poles.
  • The same participant connects the series to the original integral, suggesting it leads to \(\frac{\ln(2)}{2\pi}\) when evaluated, while still considering the rectangular contour as a viable option.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the choice of contour for integration and the implications of various poles. There is no consensus on a single approach, and multiple methods are discussed without resolution.

Contextual Notes

The discussion involves complex analysis techniques and the evaluation of integrals with potential dependencies on the choice of contour and the handling of poles. Some assumptions regarding the behavior of the integrand at infinity and the nature of the poles remain unaddressed.

fredoniahead
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Hi All:

I am new to the site, so I thought this would be a good time to post an interesting integral I ran across that I am having a time with. It is a miscellaneous problem in Schaum's Outline of Complex Variables, #86 in ch. 7. I have been self-teaching a little CA when I get time and this one is a little more challenging than others I have encountered.

[math]\int_{0}^{\infty}\frac{1}{(4x^{2}+\pi^{2})\cosh(x)}dx=\frac{\ln(2)}{2\pi}[/math]

Does anyone have a good idea of how to approach this one?.

At first, I thought perhaps a rectangular contour may do the trick, but now I am thinking perhaps a semicircular one may be in order.

It would appear there is a double pole at [math]\frac{\pi i}{2}[/math].

Using the Laurent series, I think the residue is [math]\frac{-i}{4\pi^{2}}[/math]

Which gives [math]2\pi i\left(\frac{-i}{4\pi^{2}}\right)=\frac{1}{2\pi}[/math]

But, how to get that ln(2)?. Maybe use [math]\cos(ix)[/math] in some respect?.
 
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quantaentangled said:
Hi All:

I am new to the site, so I thought this would be a good time to post an interesting integral I ran across that I am having a time with. It is a miscellaneous problem in Schaum's Outline of Complex Variables, #86 in ch. 7. I have been self-teaching a little CA when I get time and this one is a little more challenging than others I have encountered.

[math]\int_{0}^{\infty}\frac{1}{(4x^{2}+\pi^{2})\cosh(x)}dx=\frac{\ln(2)}{2\pi}[/math]

Does anyone have a good idea of how to approach this one?.

At first, I thought perhaps a rectangular contour may do the trick, but now I am thinking perhaps a semicircular one may be in order.

It would appear there is a double pole at [math]\frac{\pi i}{2}[/math].

Using the Laurent series, I think the residue is [math]\frac{-i}{4\pi^{2}}[/math]

Which gives [math]2\pi i\left(\frac{-i}{4\pi^{2}}\right)=\frac{1}{2\pi}[/math]

But, how to get that ln(2)?. Maybe use [math]\cos(ix)[/math] in some respect?.

There are poles also for $\cosh z=0$ , i.e. for $z=i\ (2k+1)\ \frac{\pi}{2}$, not only for $z= \pm i\ \frac {\pi}{2}$...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
Thanks, chisigma. Yes, I know. I thought perhaps a contour could be chosen that enclosed a finite number of poles. Namely, [math]\frac{\pi i}{2}[/math].
 
quantaentangled said:
Thanks, chisigma. Yes, I know. I thought perhaps a contour could be chosen that enclosed a finite number of poles. Namely, [math]\frac{\pi i}{2}[/math].

The integration contour You have to choose is represented in red here...

View attachment 169

... so that, if R tends to infinity, all the poles with imaginary part >0 are involved...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 

Attachments

  • MHB13.PNG
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I made a sub $t=\frac{\pi x}{2}$ and arrived at

$$\frac{1}{2\pi}\int_{0}^{\infty}\frac{1}{(t^{2}+1)cosh(\frac{\pi t}{2})}$$

There is an identity that says $$\frac{1}{2\pi}\int_{0}^{\infty}\frac{1}{(t^{2}+1)cosh(at)}dt=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^{n-1}}{2a+(2n-1)\pi}$$.

It is derived from the poles being at $\frac{(2n-1)\pi i}{2a}$. Then, the residue turns out to be:

$\frac{(-1)^{n-1}4ia}{4a^{2}-\pi^{2}(2n-1)^{2}}$. Now, using the residue theorem and expanding gives the aforementioned series.

Letting $a=\frac{\pi}{2}$ gives $$\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^{n-1}}{2n\pi}=\frac{1}{2\pi}\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{(-1)^{n-1}}{n}=\frac{ln(2)}{2\pi}$$

This is in a paper I have on hyperbolic integrals by Gradshteyn and Ryzhik. Though, it still seems to me that a rectangular contour is a possibility.
 

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