Improper Integral with trig integral

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the improper integral ∫(dx/((1+x^2)^2) from 0 to ∞. Participants are exploring the convergence of the integral and potential methods for evaluation, particularly through trigonometric substitution.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the initial approach of using the substitution x=tan(x) and the implications of this substitution on the integral. There are questions about the correctness of variable usage and the limits of integration after substitution.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the substitution process and the need to adjust limits accordingly. There is an ongoing exploration of the integral's evaluation, with different interpretations being considered, but no explicit consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of correctly handling the limits of integration after substitution, particularly regarding the behavior of tan(θ) as θ approaches π/2. There is also mention of the need to account for the squared term in the denominator during the evaluation process.

shubox
Messages
3
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


∫(dx/((1+x^2)^2) from 0 to ∞
Determine whether the improper integral converges and if so, evaluate it.

Homework Equations


1+ tan^2(x) = sec^2(x)
1/sec(x) = cos(x)

The Attempt at a Solution


Initially I had no idea how to approach this problem. The answer in the back of the book is ∏/4, which tells me that maybe trig integrals are involved. So i started off with:
lim(R→∞) ∫(dx/((1+x^2)^2) from 0 to R.
x=tan(x)
lim(R→∞) ∫(dx/((1+tan^2(x))^2) from 0 to R.
=lim(R→∞) ∫(dx/(sec^4(x)) from 0 to R.
I do not know where to go from here. Any help would be appreciated
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
shubox said:

Homework Statement


∫(dx/((1+x^2)^2) from 0 to ∞
Determine whether the improper integral converges and if so, evaluate it.


Homework Equations


1+ tan^2(x) = sec^2(x)
1/sec(x) = cos(x)

The Attempt at a Solution


Initially I had no idea how to approach this problem. The answer in the back of the book is ∏/4, which tells me that maybe trig integrals are involved. So i started off with:
lim(R→∞) ∫(dx/((1+x^2)^2) from 0 to R.
x=tan(x)
lim(R→∞) ∫(dx/((1+tan^2(x))^2) from 0 to R.
=lim(R→∞) ∫(dx/(sec^4(x)) from 0 to R.
I do not know where to go from here. Any help would be appreciated

It's not a good idea to use the same variable in your substitution.

Let x=tan(θ) then dx = sec2(θ) dθ .

After finding the anti-derivative in terms of θ, change back to x, plug in the limits of integration, then take the limit.
 
Oh I see now. Subsituting in dx cancels out sec2(θ) which then results in θ. Replacing θ with x gives arc tangent and then solving the integral from -∞ to ∞ results in ∏.
Thanks for helping
 
shubox said:
Oh I see now. Subsituting in dx cancels out sec2(θ) which then results in θ. Replacing θ with x gives arc tangent and then solving the integral from -∞ to ∞ results in ∏.
Thanks for helping

Not quite.

The denominator is (sec2(θ))2 .

Then use cos2(θ) = (1/2)(cos(2θ) + 1) .
 
By the way, [itex]tan(\theta)[/itex] goes to infinity as [itex]\theta[/itex] goes to [itex]\pi/2[/itex]. So once you have made the substitution, instead of going to infinity, you limit should be going to [itex]\pi/2[/itex].
 
Ah I forgot the quantity squared. But after doing that I got the same thing: 1/2(cos(2θ)+1)
Taking the integral of this from ∏/2 to -∏/2 results in ∏/2 which is the answer in the back of the book.

sweeet, makes sense now. thanks a lot.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K