# How can I solve this Integral?

#### Alexandra

Problem Statement
Hi, I'm trying to solve the next integral
Relevant Equations

\int ^{\infty} _{0} \dfrac{e^{ax} - e^{bx}}{(1+e^{ax})(1+e^{bx})} \ dx

a > 0 ; b > 0
I split this to get

\int ^{\infty} _{0} \dfrac{e^{ax}}{(1+e^{ax})(1+e^{bx})} \ dx - \int ^{\infty} _{0} \dfrac{e^{bx}}{(1+e^{ax})(1+e^{bx})} \ dx

Then I tried to solve the first term (both term are similars). The problem is that I made a substitution (many ones, but this has, for me, more meaning), but it didn't work: if u=exp(a*x), then

\dfrac{1}{a} \int ^{\infty} _{0} \dfrac{1}{(1+u)(1+u^{b/a})} \ dx

I can't do partial fraction decomposition to this (b/a couldn't be a natural number).
I really don't know how to solve this. I put this into Wolfram Mathematica, but it can't solve it. I forgot mention that this is a multiple choice exercise. The posible answers are: 0 , 1 , b-a , (a-b) log 2 , [(a-b)/ab] log 2.
I suposse that 0 can't be the answer, because the solution of each term on (3) should depende on a and b by the same way (I know, it isn't a good enough reason).
1 neither could be a solution, because the terms in (3) are "simetrics". If the solution of one of then doesn't depend of a or b, then both terms are equal and the solution would be zero.
Then the solution would be some of the other 3 options, but I don't know wich arguments are valid to say wich one.
I hope someone can help me. Sorry for my bad english.
Thanks!

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#### Alexandra

Sorry, I had two mistakes. When I reference the equation (3), I meant equation (2). And the lower index on the integral (3) is 1, not 0.

#### epenguin

Homework Helper
Gold Member
Isn't this something relatively trivial?:

$$\dfrac {A-B}{\left( 1+A\right) \left( 1+B\right) }=\dfrac {1}{\left( 1+B\right) }-\dfrac {1}{\left( 1+A\right) }$$

#### Alexandra

Now I feel very stupid...Thanks epenguin!

#### vela

Staff Emeritus
Homework Helper
Another trick you could use is tweaking the numerator as follows:
$$\int^\infty_0 \frac{e^{ax} - e^{bx}}{(1+e^{ax})(1+e^{bx})}\,dx = \int^\infty_0 \frac{(1+e^{ax}) - (1+e^{bx})}{(1+e^{ax})(1+e^{bx})}\,dx$$

#### Alexandra

Another trick you could use is tweaking the numerator as follows:
$$\int^\infty_0 \frac{e^{ax} - e^{bx}}{(1+e^{ax})(1+e^{bx})}\,dx = \int^\infty_0 \frac{(1+e^{ax}) - (1+e^{bx})}{(1+e^{ax})(1+e^{bx})}\,dx$$
That 's a very good trick, thanks vela!

"How can I solve this Integral?"

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