How Can I Solve This Complex Integral Evaluation Problem?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the evaluation of a complex integral involving the exponential integral function Ei and the hypergeometric function 2F1. Participants are exploring the conditions under which the integral converges and the implications of the parameters involved.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents an integral and references a similar integral from a table, noting that they believe all conditions for convergence are met.
  • Another participant suggests there may be an issue with the argument of the Ei function, pointing out a potential discrepancy in the sign of the argument.
  • A participant clarifies that while the argument of Ei is positive in their case, the condition regarding the positivity of beta is not explicitly required, as long as the real part of the sum is positive.
  • Another participant questions how the evaluation leads to infinity, noting that the denominator in the related expression is finite.
  • One participant speculates that the absolute value of the last argument of the 2F1 function must be less than one, suggesting that their case may violate this condition.
  • A request for more details is made, indicating a desire for further clarification on the integral's evaluation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the conditions for convergence and the implications of the parameters involved. The discussion remains unresolved as to why the integral evaluates to infinity.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully resolved the assumptions regarding the parameters and their implications on the integral's evaluation. There are also unresolved mathematical steps related to the evaluation of the hypergeometric function.

EngWiPy
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Hi,

I have the following integral that I want to evaluate:

\int_0^{\infty}y\,e^{-y\left[(z+1)(K-1)+1\right]}Ei\left(y_2(K-1)\right)\,dy

In the table of integrals there is a similar integral in the form

\int_0^{\infty}x^{v-1}\,e^{-\mu x}Ei\left(-\beta\,x\right)\,dx=-\frac{\Gamma(v)}{v(\mu+\beta)^v} 2F_1(1,\,v;\,v+1;\,\frac{\mu}{\mu+\beta})

and the conditions are ##|\arg{\beta}|<\pi##, ##Re\left\{\mu+\beta\right\}>0##, and ##Re\{v\}>0##. I think I meet all the conditions in my integral, but upon evaluating the result for ##z=2## and ##K=4##, it gives me ##\infty##!. Why?
 
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There may be a problem with the argument for Ei. You have y2(K-1) (y2?) while the formula has ##-\beta x##.. Yours seem to be positive.
 
mathman said:
There may be a problem with the argument for Ei. You have y2(K-1) (y2?) while the formula has ##-\beta x##.. Yours seem to be positive.

Oh, it is ##y## not ##y_2##. You are right, the argument of Ei(.) in my case is positive, but there is no condition that says that ##\beta## has to be positive. It says that ##\Re\{\mu+\beta\}## is positive, which is met.
 
I haven't work with the ##F_1## function, but looking at the expression, how did you get ##\infty##? The denominator = 98.
 
mathman said:
I haven't work with the ##F_1## function, but looking at the expression, how did you get ##\infty##? The denominator = 98.

I think the absolute value of the last argument of 2F1 function must be less than one. In my case, the last argument is greater than one! But again, I am meeting the conditions of the integral, so, I why I get arguments that aren't right!
 
Give details!
 

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