Graduate Difficult cosh integral using Leibniz rule?

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The discussion revolves around evaluating a definite integral related to the WKB approximation in quantum mechanics. The integral in question involves hyperbolic cosine functions and lacks clear limits, leading to confusion about its classification as definite or indefinite. Participants clarify that the integral is indeed definite, with specific limits involving the inverse hyperbolic cosine. The use of Leibniz's rule for differentiation under the integral sign is suggested, but its application remains unclear to the original poster. Overall, there is skepticism about the integrability of the expression, particularly for values of the constant 'a' other than 1.
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I was wondering if I could get some pointers on how to at least start on this. In quantum mechanics we are using the WKB approximation, and we end up with a definite integral that looks like this:

∫(1 - a(cosh(x))-2)1/2 dx = ∫(1/cosh(x)) (1 - a(cosh(x))2)1/2 dx

where a is a positive constant. I've tried everything I can think of to no avail, the answer on wolfram isn't pretty but it seems like if I can figure out what process to use I could reach it eventually. I asked the professor and he suggested Leibnitz rule, but not sure how differentiation under the integral sign would help here.
 
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Kavorka said:
definite integral

But it does not have limits on it. Do you mean indefinite ? I am asking because some indefinite integrals are easy to evalute with limits.

Are you just interested in final result ?
 
Buffu said:
But it does not have limits on it. Do you mean indefinite ? I am asking because some indefinite integrals are easy to evalute with limits.

Are you just interested in final result ?

From how my professor was describing it it seemed like the limits wouldn't be too helpful, but yes it is a definite integral from -cosh-1(a0.5 to cosh-1(a0.5 (inverse hyperbolic cosh, not cosh^-1 )
 
Kavorka said:
From how my professor was describing it it seemed like the limits wouldn't be too helpful, but yes it is a definite integral from -cosh-1(a0.5 to cosh-1(a0.5 (inverse hyperbolic cosh, not cosh^-1 )

I tried to integrate it and I was unable to do so except for ##a = 1## (which you can do easily). I think it is not integratable but I am no expert, I don't have any clue about gamma function, airy functions ...
 

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