How to show integral equal to hypergeometric function?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of a specific integral involving exponential functions and its relation to hypergeometric functions. Participants explore methods to directly evaluate the integral and express it in terms of hypergeometric functions, while also addressing the definitions and properties of these functions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks to show that the integral \(\int \frac{e^{at}}{e^{it}+e^{-it}}dt\) equals a specific expression involving the hypergeometric function.
  • Another participant questions the definition of hypergeometric functions and corrects the integral expression provided.
  • There are multiple corrections regarding the formulation of the integral, with different participants suggesting various forms of the integral.
  • One participant suggests using a substitution to approach the integral and mentions the possibility of using the hypergeometric differential equation.
  • Another participant provides a definition of the hypergeometric function as an analytic continuation of its power series and expresses uncertainty about its multi-valued nature.
  • Discussion includes an experimental approach to verify the multi-valued nature of the hypergeometric function through numerical integration of its differential equation.
  • Participants express varying levels of familiarity with the hypergeometric function and the integral in question, indicating a learning aspect to the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best method to evaluate the integral or the properties of the hypergeometric function. Multiple competing views and corrections are presented throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved mathematical steps and varying assumptions about the definitions and properties of hypergeometric functions. The discussion reflects differing levels of familiarity with the topic among participants.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for those interested in advanced integration techniques, the properties of hypergeometric functions, and the application of differential equations in mathematical analysis.

jackmell
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Hi,

I would like to show directly,

\int \frac{e^{at}}{e^{it}+e^{-it}}dt=\frac{e^{(i+a) t} \text{Hypergeometric2F1}\left[1,\frac{1}{2}-\frac{i a}{2},\frac{3}{2}-\frac{i a}{2},-e^{2 i t}\right]}{i+a}

I realize I can differentiate the antiderivative to show the relation but was wondering how to integrate the integral directly to obtain the hypergeometric function or are these type integrals evaluated using a different technique? I can express it as:

\int \frac{e^{(i-a)t}}{1+e^{2it}}dt

and at least it has the e^{2it} in there.

How are any integrals expressed in terms of hypergeometric functions?
 
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How are you defining the "Hypergeometric" functions?

(And that last integral should be
\int\frac{e^{i-a)t}}{1+ e^{-2it}}dt)
 
HallsofIvy said:
(And that last integral should be
\int\frac{e^{(i-a)t}}{1+ e^{-2it}}dt)
Even that's not right. It should either be
$$\int \frac{e^{(a+i)t}}{1+e^{2it}}dt$$
or
$$\int \frac{e^{(a-i)t}}{1+e^{-2it}}dt$$
 
jackmell said:
Hi,

I would like to show directly,

\int \frac{e^{at}}{e^{it}+e^{-it}}dt=\frac{e^{(i+a) t} \text{Hypergeometric2F1}\left[1,\frac{1}{2}-\frac{i a}{2},\frac{3}{2}-\frac{i a}{2},-e^{2 i t}\right]}{i+a}

I realize I can differentiate the antiderivative to show the relation but was wondering how to integrate the integral directly to obtain the hypergeometric function or are these type integrals evaluated using a different technique? I can express it as:

\int \frac{e^{(i-a)t}}{1+e^{2it}}dt

and at least it has the e^{2it} in there.

How are any integrals expressed in terms of hypergeometric functions?
I'd start by trying a substitution, but I honestly don't know how one goes about integrating that directly.

Have you considered approaching it by the hypergeometric differential equation?
 
HallsofIvy said:
How are you defining the "Hypergeometric" functions?

Hi,

I'm defining the hypergeometric function as the analytic continuation of the hypergeometric power series:

\mathstrut_2 F_1\left(a,b,c,z\right)=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{(a)_n (b)_n}{(c)_n} \frac{z^n}{n!}\quad |z|<1

which I believe is a multi-valued function with a branch-point at z=1 but I'm not very familiar with this function.

Have you considered approaching it by the hypergeometric differential equation?

I've considered that but don't know how to approach this integral through that DE but I'll keep working on it.

Also, thanks for correcting the integral DH. It is:

\int \frac{e^{(i+a) t}}{1+e^{2it}}dt
 
Last edited:
jackmell said:
Hi,

I'm defining the hypergeometric function as the analytic continuation of the hypergeometric power series:

\mathstrut_2 F_1\left(a,b,c,z\right)=\sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{(a)_n (b)_n}{(c)_n} \frac{z^n}{n!}\quad |z|<1

which I believe is a multi-valued function with a branch-point at z=1 but I'm not very familiar with this function.
Why would it be multivalued? It isn't readily apparent to me.

As to the problem, this is new to me, too. I'll probably piggy-back off of this thread for my own learning. :-p
 
Mandelbroth said:
Why would it be multivalued? It isn't readily apparent to me.

As to the problem, this is new to me, too. I'll probably piggy-back off of this thread for my own learning. :-p

That's an interesting question in itself. Well, Mathematica says it is although I realize that's not sufficient. However, we can experimentally verify it's multivalued by considering the hypergeometric DE:

z(1-z)w''+(c-(a+b+1)z)w'-abw=0

and numerically integrating this equation over a contour which encircles the branch point at z=1, for example over a circle of radius 2, that is, by letting z=2e^{it}. Now when I do that and substitute that into the DE and I did it quickly so not confident I did it error-free, I obtain the DE in terms of t:

z(1-z)(-1/4 e^{-2it} w''-iw')+(c-(a+b+1)z)(-i/2 e^{-it}) w'-ab w=0,\quad z=2e^{it}

now, I just arbitrarily let a=1, b=2, c=3, w(0)=2, w'(0)=1 and integrate over 2pi and plot the real (or imaginary) results, the solution does not return to the same point. That is experimentally, a clear sign it's not single-valued although there is always the chance of numerical error.

Also, getting back to the problem, I'm encouraged by my initial attempts at iterative integration by parts, the solution looks like it's getting there but not quite. I'll work on that approach.
 

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