Help finding value of Contour Integral

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on evaluating the contour integral \(\int^{2\pi}_{0}\frac{d\theta}{(A+B\cos(\theta))^2}\) under the conditions \(a^2 > b^2\) and \(a > 0\). The user employs complex analysis by substituting \(z = e^{i\theta}\) and transforming the integral into a contour integral in the complex plane. The integral is expressed in terms of \(z\) and the user seeks to identify the poles of the resulting function to apply the residue theorem for evaluation. The discussion emphasizes the importance of the parameters \(a\) and \(b\) in determining the location of the poles and the value of the integral.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of contour integration in complex analysis
  • Familiarity with the residue theorem
  • Knowledge of trigonometric identities and their complex representations
  • Ability to manipulate complex functions and identify poles
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn about the residue theorem and its applications in evaluating integrals
  • Study the method of contour integration in the complex plane
  • Explore the implications of varying parameters \(a\) and \(b\) on pole locations
  • Practice solving integrals involving trigonometric functions using complex substitutions
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in mathematics, particularly those specializing in complex analysis, as well as anyone involved in evaluating integrals using contour integration techniques.

jtleafs33
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Homework Statement



Evaluate the integral:

\int^{2\pi}_{0}\frac{d\theta}{(A+Bcos(\theta))^2}
a^2>b^2
a>0

The Attempt at a Solution



First, I convert this to contour integration along a full sphere in the complex plane.
I let:

z=e^(i\theta)
dz=ie^(i\theta)
d\theta=-idz/z
cos(\theta)=(z+z^-1)/2

Now, substituting back into the integral, I drop the integral sign for now and just work on the integrand:

=\frac{-idz}{z(a+\frac{bz+bz^-1}{2})}

=\frac{-idz}{z(\frac{2a+bz+bz^-1}{2})}

=\frac{-4idz}{z(2a+bz+bz^-1)^2}

=\frac{-4idz}{b^2z^3+4abz^2+4a^2z+2b^2z+4ab+\frac{b^2}{z}}


And from here I am stuck on how to find the poles of this function. I want to use the residue theorem to evaluate this integral, but like I said I'm stuck here.
 
Last edited:
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jtleafs33 said:

Homework Statement



Evaluate the integral:

\int^{2\pi}_{0}\frac{d\theta}{(A+Bcos(\theta))^2}
a^2>b^2
a>0

The Attempt at a Solution



First, I convert this to contour integration along a full sphere in the complex plane.
I let:

z=e^(i\theta)
dz=ie^(i\theta)
d\theta=-idz/z
cos(\theta)=(z+z^-1)/2

Now, substituting back into the integral, I drop the integral sign for now and just work on the integrand:

=\frac{-idz}{z(a+\frac{bz+bz^-1}{2})}

=\frac{-idz}{z(\frac{2a+bz+bz^-1}{2})}

=\frac{-4idz}{z(2a+bz+bz^-1)^2}

=\frac{-4idz}{b^2z^3+4abz^2+4a^2z+2b^2z+4ab+\frac{b^2}{z}}And from here I am stuck on how to find the poles of this function. I want to use the residue theorem to evaluate this integral, but like I said I'm stuck here.

You have to methodically consider all possibilities. I can think of three:

a>0, b>0 and a>b
a>0, b=0
a>0, b<0 and a^2>b^2

Ok, how about the first case. Just for starters, we'll let a=2 and b=1. When you make the subsittutions, you should get:

-4i\oint \frac{z dz}{\left(2az+b(z^2+1)\right)^2}

so the poles are when 2az+b(z^2+1)=0. You can do that. Now, just for starters, let a=2 and b=1 and compute the poles for that particular function. Are they both in the unit circle? Check them. What's causing the poles to move in and out of the unit circle? Well, the particular values of a and b by virtue of the expression you get for the zeros of that quadratic expression right? So then those values will in turn determine the value of the integral by means of the Residue Theorem.

Just get a=2 and b=1 working. Analyze that expression for the zeros above based on the particular values of a and b. Get that one, then do the third one. The second just degrades to 2pi/a^2 right?
 
Last edited:

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