Evaluate real integral using residue theorem, where did I go wrong?

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SUMMARY

The integral \(\int_0^{\pi} \frac{dt}{(a+\cos t)^2}\) for \(a > 1\) can be evaluated using the residue theorem. The function \(f(z) = \frac{1}{iz(a+\frac{1}{2}(z+\frac{1}{z}))^2}\) has a root \(b = -a + \sqrt{a^2 - 1}\) inside the unit disk. The correct limit calculation yields \(\frac{\pi a}{(a^2 - 1)\sqrt{a^2 - 1}}\), while the error identified was a sign mistake in substituting \(-b\) instead of \(b\) during the evaluation. This highlights the importance of careful substitution in complex analysis.

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Edit: Never mind I found my error, moderator can lock this.

Homework Statement



Evaluate the integral [itex]\int_0^{\pi} \frac{dt}{(a+cost)^2}[/itex] for a > 1.

Homework Equations



[tex]\int_0^{\pi}\frac{dt}{(a+cost)^2} = \pi i\sum_{a\epsilon \mathbb{E}}Res(f;\alpha)[/tex]

Where [itex]\mathbb{E}[/itex] is the open unit disk, and [itex]f(z) = \frac{1}{iz(a+\frac{1}{2}(z+\frac{1}{z}))^2}[/itex].

The Attempt at a Solution



[tex]f(z) = \frac{1}{iz(a+\frac{1}{2}(z+\frac{1}{z}))^2} = \frac{1}{iz\frac{(z^2 + 2az + 1)^2}{4z^2}} = \frac{-4iz}{(z^2 + 2az + 1)^2} = \frac{-4iz}{[(z + a + \sqrt{a^2 - 1})(z + a - \sqrt{a^2 - 1})]^2}[/tex]

Thus f has two roots of multiplicity two. It's fairly easy to see that only the root [itex]z = -a + \sqrt{a^2 - 1}[/itex] lies inside the open unit disk for a > 1, thus we set [itex]b = -a + \sqrt{a^2 - 1}[/itex] and obtain:

[tex]\pi i\sum_{\alpha\epsilon\mathbb{E}}Res(f;\alpha) = Res(f;b) = lim_{z\rightarrow b}\frac{d}{dz}\frac{-4iz(z+a-\sqrt{a^2 - 1})^2}{(z + a + \sqrt{a^2 - 1})^2(z + a - \sqrt{a^2 - 1})^2} = lim_{z\rightarrow b}4\pi\frac{d}{dz}\frac{z}{(z+a+\sqrt{a^2 - 1})^2} = lim_{z\rightarrow b}4\pi \frac{a + \sqrt{a^2 - 1} -z}{(z + a + \sqrt{a^2 - 1})^3}[/tex]

From here I take the limit and after simplification obtain [itex]\frac{\pi\sqrt{a^2 - 1}}{a^3}[/itex]. Yet the book says my answer should be [itex]\frac{\pi a}{(a^2 - 1)\sqrt{a^2 - 1}}[/itex]. Where have I gone wrong? Thanks.
 
Last edited:
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Explain your mistake so that everyone can learn from it!
 
It wasn't really a mistake in my understanding of the theory it was just a sign error. I was accidentally plugging in -b instead of b.
 

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