Improper integral using the Residue Theorem

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on evaluating the improper integral \(\int\limits_0^{ + \infty } {\frac{{\sin x}}{{x^3 + x}}dx\) using the Residue Theorem. The user initially constructs a closed path involving a large semi-circle \(C\) and a small semi-circle \(c\) to avoid the singularity at \(x = 0\). The residue theorem is applied, leading to the conclusion that the left-hand side equals \(\pi \sinh 1 + \pi\). However, participants point out errors in the approach, specifically that the integral over \(C\) does not vanish and that there is no pole at \(x=0\), suggesting a need to replace \(\sin(x)\) with \(e^{ix}\) for a more manageable evaluation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of complex analysis and contour integration
  • Familiarity with the Residue Theorem
  • Knowledge of evaluating improper integrals
  • Experience with complex functions, particularly \(e^{ix}\) and \(\sin(x)\)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of the Residue Theorem in complex analysis
  • Learn about contour integration techniques, specifically in the upper half-plane
  • Explore the properties of poles and residues in complex functions
  • Investigate the relationship between trigonometric functions and their exponential forms
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, physics students, and anyone interested in advanced calculus or complex analysis, particularly those working with improper integrals and the Residue Theorem.

TD
Homework Helper
Messages
1,016
Reaction score
0
I'm trying to find

[tex]\int\limits_0^{ + \infty } {\frac{{\sin x}}<br /> {{x^3 + x}}dx}[/tex]

Since the function is even, I can compute it as

[tex]\frac{1}<br /> {2}\int\limits_{ - \infty }^{ + \infty } {\frac{{\sin x}}<br /> {{x^3 + x}}dx}[/tex]

To use the residue theorem, I construct a large semi-circle C with center O and radius R. To avoid the real singularity at x = 0, we construct another (small) semi-circle c with radius r. The closed path is then given by C + [-R,-r] + c + [r,R]. We then let R go to infinity and r to 0. So we have:

[tex]\oint {\frac{{\sin x}}<br /> {{x^3 + x}}dx} = \int\limits_C {\frac{{\sin x}}<br /> {{x^3 + x}}dx} + \int\limits_c {\frac{{\sin x}}<br /> {{x^3 + x}}dx} + \int\limits_{ - R}^{ - r} {\frac{{\sin x}}<br /> {{x^3 + x}}} dx + \int\limits_r^R {\frac{{\sin x}}<br /> {{x^3 + x}}} dx[/tex]

From the residue theorem, I found the LHS to be [itex]\pi \sinh 1[/itex], by applying the theorem to the only enclosed pole i.
Then, taking the limits or R and r to inf and 0, I found the integral over C to be 0 and over c to be [itex]-\pi[/itex] which results in:

[tex]\int\limits_{ - \infty }^{ + \infty } {\frac{{\sin x}}<br /> {{x^3 + x}}} dx = \pi \sinh 1 + \pi[/tex]

Now that appears to be too large, does anyone know what mistake(s) I made or what I should do? Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
A couple mistakes, the integral over C does not go to zero and there's no pole at x=0, so the integral over c will go to zero.

It's probably easiest to replace sin(x) with [tex]e^{ix}[/tex], which is bounded in the upper half plane, making the integral over C much easier to deal with, though you'll now have a pole at z=0.
 
shmoe said:
A couple mistakes, the integral over C does not go to zero and there's no pole at x=0, so the integral over c will go to zero.

It's probably easiest to replace sin(x) with [tex]e^{ix}[/tex], which is bounded in the upper half plane, making the integral over C much easier to deal with, though you'll now have a pole at z=0.

There is indeed a pole at z=0, by Jordan's... but you only need to worry about when doing exactly that kind of problem. If I'm not mistaken you have to set the LHS to Im(2*pi*i*Resi (eiz/(z3+z))
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 105 ·
4
Replies
105
Views
11K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K