MHB How to Integrate 1/(1+e cos(x))^2?

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The integration of the function 1/(1 + e cos(θ))² over the interval [0, ν] is complex and has led to various methods being discussed, including Residue Theory and substitutions like t = tan(θ/2). The substitution simplifies the integral into a rational function, but participants struggled with further simplification. Some suggested looking up the integral in reference tables, while others emphasized the importance of understanding the integration process rather than just finding the answer. The discussion also highlighted the potential involvement of elliptic integrals, particularly when considering the variable e, which represents the eccentricity in elliptical orbits.
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I am trying to integrate
$$
\int_0^{\nu}\frac{d\theta}{(1 + e\cos\theta)^2}
$$
where $0<e<1$.
I tried using Residue Theory but that was messy and didn't come up as needed.
The highlights of that were:
$\cos z = \frac{z + \frac{1}{z}}{2}$
Denominator became $z + 2ze^2 + 2z^2e^2 + 2e^2 + 4z^2 + 4e$ and that factor to
$$
\left(z + \frac{1+2e^2+\sqrt{1-4e^2[15e(16+3e)]}}{4e(2+e)}\right)\left(z + \frac{1+2e^2-\sqrt{1-4e^2[15e(16+3e)]}}{4e(2+e)}\right)
$$
It is highly probably there were some errors with that mess. I wasn't sure if I could do:
$$
\cos 2z = \frac{2z + \frac{1}{2z}}{2}
$$
but I did.
Is there another way to integrate this? Any method real or complex is fine.
 
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Re: Integrate 1/(1+e\cos x)^2

With the substitution...

$\displaystyle t= \tan \frac{\theta}{2} \implies \theta= 2\ \tan^{-1} t \implies d \theta = 2\ \frac{d t} {1 + t^{2}} \implies \sin \theta = \frac{2 t} {1 + t^{2}} \implies \cos \theta = \frac{1-t^{2}} {1 + t^{2}}$ (1)

... You arrive to a definite integral containing a rational function...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
Re: Integrate 1/(1+e\cos x)^2

chisigma said:
With the substitution...

$\displaystyle t= \tan \frac{\theta}{2} \implies \theta= 2\ \tan^{-1} t \implies d \theta = 2\ \frac{d t} {1 + t^{2}} \implies \sin \theta = \frac{2 t} {1 + t^{2}} \implies \cos \theta = \frac{1-t^{2}} {1 + t^{2}}$ (1)

... You arrive to a definite integral containing a rational function...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$

But how do we integrate the rational function
$$
2\int\frac{dt}{(1 + t^2)\left(1+e\frac{1-t^2}{1+t^2}\right)^2}
$$
I couldn't simplify that down to anything useful.
 
Re: Integrate 1/(1+e\cos x)^2

Have you tried looking the integral up in say the CRC Standard Mathematical Tables?
 
Re: Integrate 1/(1+e\cos x)^2

Jester said:
Have you tried looking the integral up in say the CRC Standard Mathematical Tables?

I would rather learn how to integrate it then look it up.
 
Re: Integrate 1/(1+e\cos x)^2

You know, sometimes looking up the answer give you the clue on how to solve the problem.
 
Re: Integrate 1/(1+e\cos x)^2

Jester said:
You know, sometimes looking up the answer give you the clue on how to solve the problem.

With that begin said, what is your idea for solving it then? I knew the answer before I ever posted the question.
 
Re: Integrate 1/(1+e\cos x)^2

Hey, may I ask what do you mean by e ? I thought it was the constant $$\ln e =1 $$ ?
 
Re: Integrate 1/(1+e\cos x)^2

ZaidAlyafey said:
Hey, may I ask what do you mean by e ? I thought it was the constant $$\ln e =1 $$ ?

e is the eccentricity of the orbit. So in this case, we have elliptical orbits.
 
  • #10
Re: Integrate 1/(1+e\cos x)^2

dwsmith said:
I tried using Residue Theory but that was messy and didn't come up as needed.

I think that a complex method can't be used here , since that applies only to an integration of the form $$\int_{0}^{2\pi}\, f(\cos(\theta), \sin(\theta))\, d\theta $$

another question , what do you mean by v ?

It might be so helpful , if you can illustrate more on what this integration really describes ?
 
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  • #11
Re: Integrate 1/(1+e\cos x)^2

ZaidAlyafey said:
I think that a complex method can't be used here , since that applies only to an integration of the form $$\int_{0}^{2\pi}\, f(\cos(\theta), \sin(\theta))\, d\theta $$

another question , what do you mean by v ?

It might be so helpful , if you can illustrate more on what this integration really describes ?

$\nu$ is just a variable. Like the FTC. $\int_a^xf(t)dt$
 
  • #12
Re: Integrate 1/(1+e\cos x)^2

A possible alternative is the substitution...

$\displaystyle a\ \cos \theta= x \implies \cos \theta= \frac{x}{a} \implies d \theta = - \frac{d x}{a\ \sin \theta} = - \frac{d x}{a\ \sqrt{1- (\frac{x}{a})^{2}}}$ (1)

... so that the integral becomes...

$\displaystyle \int \frac{d \theta}{(1+ a\ \cos \theta)^{2}} = - \frac{1}{a} \int \frac{d x} {\sqrt{1 - (\frac{x}{a}) ^{2}}\ (1 + x)^{2}}$ (2)

... and 'Monster Wolfram' says to be...

$\displaystyle - \frac{1}{a} \int \frac{d x} {\sqrt{1 - (\frac{x}{a}) ^{2}}\ (1 + x)^{2}} = \frac{1}{a\ (1-\frac{1}{a^{2}})\ (1+x)}\ \{\sqrt{1-\frac{1}{a^{2}}}\ \sqrt{1-\frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}}} - \frac{1+x}{a^{2}}\ \ln [\sqrt{1-\frac{1}{a^{2}}}\ \sqrt{1-\frac{x^{2}}{a^{2}}} + \frac{x}{a^{2}} + 1] + \frac{1+x}{a^{2}}\ \ln (1+x) \} + c$ (3)
Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
Last edited:
  • #13
Re: Integrate 1/(1+e\cos x)^2

Seeing the solution in the CRC tables I might try the following.

Consider

$\dfrac{d}{d \theta} \dfrac{\sin \theta}{1 + e \cos \theta} = \dfrac{ \cos \theta + e}{(1 + e \cos \theta)^2}$

so

$\dfrac{d}{d \theta} \dfrac{e \sin \theta}{1 + e \cos \theta} = \dfrac{e \cos \theta + e^2}{(1 + e \cos \theta)^2}= \dfrac{1 + e \cos \theta + e^2-1}{(1 + e \cos \theta)^2} $
$= \dfrac{1}{1 + e \cos \theta} + \dfrac{e^2-1}{(1 + e \cos \theta)^2} $

Thus,

$\displaystyle \int \dfrac{d \theta}{(1 + e \cos \theta)^2} = \dfrac{e}{e^2-1} \dfrac{\sin \theta}{1 + e \cos \theta} - \dfrac{1}{e^2-1} \int \dfrac{d \theta}{1 + e \cos \theta}.$

The Weierstrass substitution would probably work a little better on the new integral here.
 
  • #14
Re: Integrate 1/(1+e\cos x)^2

This is NOT a simple integral, despite its apparently innocuous appearance. That's partly why, in Gradshteyn and Ryzhik, you will only find 'complete' examples, where $$v=\pi/2$$, say, or $$2\pi$$.

Personally, I think the best way to tackle it would be to regard it as a function of $$e$$, the differentiate wrt to e, if lucky find a closed form, and then re-integrate...

I suspect your answer should include elliptic integrals (incomplete ones at that, unless $$v=1$$).
 
  • #15
How can I view full answer it's urgent, i have already registered
 
  • #16
Nagarjuna said:
How can I view full answer it's urgent, i have already registered
We don't often give out full answers, we help you all learn to find it on your own. Since you are reviving a 5 year old problem why don't you tell us what you don't understand about what has been posted so far.

-Dan
 

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