How to calculate primitive functions on maximal intervals for periodic functions?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding primitive functions for the periodic function \( f(x) = \frac{\sin^2 x}{1+\sin^2 x} \) on maximal intervals. Participants explore the continuity of the function and its implications for defining antiderivatives across different intervals.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the continuity of the function and its relationship to the existence of primitive functions. There are attempts to define the function \( F(x) \) at points of discontinuity and questions about how to ensure continuity across intervals. Some participants raise concerns about the conditions under which a function has a well-defined antiderivative.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants offering various approaches to defining the primitive function. There is acknowledgment of the need for continuity and the implications of periodicity on the definition of \( F(x) \). Some participants suggest specific forms for \( F(x) \) while others question the assumptions made in these definitions.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the function is continuous across \( \mathbb{R} \) and discuss the implications of this continuity for defining \( F(x) \) at specific points. There is mention of absolute continuity as a necessary condition for the existence of an antiderivative, highlighting the complexity of the problem.

Lotto
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Homework Statement
My task is to find all primitive functions to ##f(x)= \frac{\sin^2 x}{1+\sin^2 x}## on maximal intervals.
Relevant Equations
For intervals ##\left(-\frac{\pi}{2}+k\pi, \frac{\pi}{2}+k\pi \right)## it is quite easy: ##F(x)=x-\frac{1}{\sqrt 2} \arctan{\left(\sqrt 2 \tan x\right)}+C_k##. (##C_k## corresponds to a particular ##k##)
Since ##f(x)## is continuous in ##\mathbb R##, it has a primitive function in ##\mathbb R## as well, so we have to define ##F(x)## also for points ## \frac{\pi}{2}+k\pi##.

##\lim_{x \to \left(\frac{\pi}{2}+k\pi \right)^-} F(x) =\frac{\pi}{2}+k\pi -\frac{\pi}{2\sqrt 2}+C_k ##
##\lim_{x \to \left(\frac{\pi}{2}+k\pi \right)^+} F(x) =\frac{\pi}{2}+k\pi +\frac{\pi}{2\sqrt 2}+C_{k+1}##

And since it is continuous, we can write that ##C_{k+1}= -\frac{\pi}{\sqrt 2}+C_k##. But now I don't know how to continue. Am I close to the solution? How to write the whole definition for ##F(x)##?
 
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Er, no , be careful. Not every a.e. continuous nor continuous function has a well-defined antiderivative. Absolute Continuity is the minimal condition. The derivative of the Cantor Function is a classic example. The derivative of any a.e. 0 not identically 0 function will integrate to 0, but its antiderivative isn't a constant.
 
Lotto said:
Homework Statement: My task is to find all primitive functions to ##f(x)= \frac{\sin^2 x}{1+\sin^2 x}## on maximal intervals.
Relevant Equations: For intervals ##\left(-\frac{\pi}{2}+k\pi, \frac{\pi}{2}+k\pi \right)## it is quite easy: ##F(x)=x-\frac{1}{\sqrt 2} \arctan{\left(\sqrt 2 \tan x\right)}+C_k##. (##C_k## corresponds to a particular ##k##)

Since ##f(x)## is continuous in ##\mathbb R##, it has a primitive function in ##\mathbb R## as well, so we have to define ##F(x)## also for points ## \frac{\pi}{2}+k\pi##.

##\lim_{x \to \left(\frac{\pi}{2}+k\pi \right)^-} F(x) =\frac{\pi}{2}+k\pi -\frac{\pi}{2\sqrt 2}+C_k ##
##\lim_{x \to \left(\frac{\pi}{2}+k\pi \right)^+} F(x) =\frac{\pi}{2}+k\pi +\frac{\pi}{2\sqrt 2}+C_{k+1}##

And since it is continuous, we can write that ##C_{k+1}= -\frac{\pi}{\sqrt 2}+C_k##. But now I don't know how to continue. Am I close to the solution? How to write the whole definition for ##F(x)##?
As ##x \to \frac \pi 2##, we have ##\arctan(\sqrt 2 \tan x) \to \frac \pi 2##. So, we can define ##F(\frac \pi 2) = \frac \pi 2 - \frac \pi {2\sqrt 2}## and we have a continous primitive function.
 
PeroK said:
As ##x \to \frac \pi 2##, we have ##\arctan(\sqrt 2 \tan x) \to \frac \pi 2##. So, we can define ##F(\frac \pi 2) = \frac \pi 2 - \frac \pi {2\sqrt 2}## and we have a continous primitive function.
So, could we write the solution in this form?

For ##\left(-\frac{\pi}{2}+k\pi, \frac{\pi}{2}+k\pi\right)##: ##F(x) = x-\frac{1}{\sqrt 2} \arctan{\left(\sqrt 2 \tan x\right)}+C_k-k \frac{\pi}{\sqrt 2}##
For ##\frac{\pi}{2}+k\pi##: ##F(x) = \frac{\pi}{2}+k\pi-\frac{1}{\sqrt 2}\frac{\pi}{2}+C_k - k \frac{\pi}{\sqrt 2}##

We subtract ##k \frac{\pi}{\sqrt 2}## because when we go from one interval with ##k## to another one with ##k+1## (when considering the unmodified function), the value at point ##\frac{\pi}{2}+k\pi## is greater by ##k \frac{\pi}{\sqrt 2}##, so if we want the function to be continuous, we always have to shift it on given interval by ## k \frac{\pi}{\sqrt 2}## downwards.

I imagine it this way because the graph of the unmodified function looks like this

graph.png
 
For a continuous function with period T (such as \sin^2 x/(1 + \sin^2 x)), its antiderivative on [0, \infty) can be written as \begin{split}<br /> F(t) &amp;= \int_0^t f(s)\,ds + C \\<br /> &amp;= \sum_{n=0}^{\lfloor t/T \rfloor - 1} \int_{nT}^{(n+1)T} f(s)\,ds + \int_{\lfloor t/T \rfloor T}^t f(s)\,ds + C \\<br /> &amp;= \left\lfloor \frac{t}{T} \right\rfloor \int_0^T f(s)\,ds +\int_0^{t - \lfloor t/T \rfloor T}f(s)\,ds + C \end{split} so that the only integral you actually need to calculate is \int_0^t f(s)\,ds for t \in [0,T]. This can be extended to negative t, but one must be mindful of how \lfloor \cdot \rfloor works for negative numbers.
 

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