How Can I Correctly Integrate e^(ix)cos(x)?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of the function e^(ix)cos(x). Participants explore various methods to derive the integral, including integration by parts and the application of Euler's formula. The conversation includes attempts to reconcile different approaches and results.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant outlines a method using integration by parts, expressing the integral as xe^(ix)cos(x) - i∫xe^(2ix)dx, but struggles to reconcile their result with the expected answer.
  • Another participant suggests using Euler's formula for e^(ix) and a trigonometric identity to simplify the integration process, implying it leads to an easier solution.
  • A different participant proposes verifying the result by differentiating the expression (1/2)x - (1/4)ie^(2ix) to show it equals e^(ix)cos(x), indicating this is a straightforward approach.
  • One participant mentions successfully applying the suggested method from another post, achieving a solution in a very short time.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the best approach to solve the integral, with some favoring integration by parts and others advocating for the use of Euler's formula. There is no consensus on a single method being superior, and some participants find success with different strategies.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that their approaches may depend on familiarity with certain techniques, such as integration by parts or Euler's formula, which could affect the perceived difficulty of the problem.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students or individuals interested in advanced integration techniques, particularly those involving complex exponentials and trigonometric functions.

flux!
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I'am trying to prove

\int e^{ix}cos(x) dx= \frac{1}{2}x-\frac{1}{4}ie^{2ix}

Wolfram tells so http://integrals.wolfram.com/index.jsp?expr=e^(i*x)cos(x)&random=false

But I am stuck in obtaining the first term:

My step typically involved integration by parts:

let u=e^{ix}cos(x) and dv=dx

so:

du=-e^{ix}sin(x)dx+icos(x)e^{ix}du=ie^{ix}(sin(x)+cos(x))dxdu=ie^{2ix}dx

the other one is just: v=x

then:
\int e^{ix}cos(x) dx=xe^{ix}cos(x)-i\int xe^{2ix}dx

We will again do another integration by parts for the second term, so we let u=x and dv=e^{2ix}dx then solving further, we obtain:
\int xe^{2ix}dx=\frac{-i}{2}xe^{2ix}+\frac{1}{4}e^{2ix}
plugging it back to the original problem, then doing simple distribution, we will obtain:
\int e^{ix}cos(x) dx=xe^{ix}cos(x)-i\left ( \frac{-i}{2}xe^{2ix}+\frac{1}{4}e^{2ix}\right )
\int e^{ix}cos(x) dx=xe^{ix}cos(x)- \frac{1}{2}xe^{2ix}-\frac{1}{4}ie^{2ix}
notice that we have proved the 2nd term, but the other half is badly away from what the Integration Table and Tools says:
\int e^{ix}cos(x) dx= \frac{1}{2}x-\frac{1}{4}ie^{2ix}

What have I gone wrong?
 
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flux! said:
I'am trying to prove

\int e^{ix}cos(x) dx= \frac{1}{2}x-\frac{1}{4}ie^{2ix}

Wolfram tells so http://integrals.wolfram.com/index.jsp?expr=e^(i*x)cos(x)&random=false

But I am stuck in obtaining the first term:

My step typically involved integration by parts:

let u=e^{ix}cos(x) and dv=dx

so:

du=-e^{ix}sin(x)dx+icos(x)e^{ix}du=ie^{ix}(sin(x)+cos(x))dxdu=ie^{2ix}dx

the other one is just: v=x

then:
\int e^{ix}cos(x) dx=xe^{ix}cos(x)-i\int xe^{2ix}dx

We will again do another integration by parts for the second term, so we let u=x and dv=e^{2ix}dx then solving further, we obtain:
\int xe^{2ix}dx=\frac{-i}{2}xe^{2ix}+\frac{1}{4}e^{2ix}
plugging it back to the original problem, then doing simple distribution, we will obtain:
\int e^{ix}cos(x) dx=xe^{ix}cos(x)-i\left ( \frac{-i}{2}xe^{2ix}+\frac{1}{4}e^{2ix}\right )
\int e^{ix}cos(x) dx=xe^{ix}cos(x)- \frac{1}{2}xe^{2ix}-\frac{1}{4}ie^{2ix}
notice that we have proved the 2nd term, but the other half is badly away from what the Integration Table and Tools says:
\int e^{ix}cos(x) dx= \frac{1}{2}x-\frac{1}{4}ie^{2ix}

What have I gone wrong?
You can side step a lot of the work above if you remember:

$$cos\, x = \frac{e^{ix}+e^{-ix}}{2}$$
 
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I'm sorry, I couldn't follow your answer. But the integral is quite easy. Try using Euler's formula for e^x. Once you do ( and use a simple trigonometric identity) it's an easy
integration.
.
.
Edit: Or you can use the way in the post above mine, your convenience.
 
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flux! said:
I'am trying to prove

\int e^{ix}cos(x) dx= \frac{1}{2}x-\frac{1}{4}ie^{2ix}
All you really need to do is to show that ##\frac d{dx}[\frac x 2 - \frac 1 4 ie^{2ix}] = e^{ix}\cos(x)##. This isn't that hard to do.
 
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Use streamking's approach cos(x)=\frac{e^{ix}+e^{-ix}}{2}. It is now a trivial problem.
 
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Darn! Applied steamking's approached, solved in 2 lines only. -_-

Thanks everyone!
 

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