Integral of a logarithm using residues

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SUMMARY

The integral \(\int_{0}^{\infty} \frac{x^{p}\ln(x)}{x^{2}+1}dx\) for \(0 PREREQUISITES

  • Understanding of complex analysis and contour integration
  • Familiarity with the residue theorem
  • Knowledge of branch cuts in complex functions
  • Ability to compute integrals involving logarithmic functions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the residue theorem in detail, focusing on its applications in complex integration
  • Learn about branch cuts and their implications in complex analysis
  • Practice contour integration techniques, particularly with key-hole contours
  • Compute integrals of the form \(\int_0^{\infty} \frac{r^{p}}{1+r^2} dr\) for various values of \(p\)
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for students and professionals in mathematics, particularly those focusing on complex analysis, as well as anyone tackling advanced calculus problems involving logarithmic integrals and contour integration techniques.

Dixanadu
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Homework Statement


Hey everyone,

So here's the problem, nice and simple. I have to find the following integral:
\int_{0}^{\infty} \frac{x^{p}ln(x)}{x^{2}+1}dx, 0<p<1

Homework Equations



The only thing relevant is the residue theorem:
\oint_{c}f(z)=2\pi i \times sum of residues enclosed

The Attempt at a Solution


So I've gone through it using a branch cut so that 0&lt;\theta&lt;2\pi. I then replaced x with z=re^{i(\theta + 2in\pi)}, setting n = 0 when integrating from 0 to infinity for Im(z)>0, then setting n = 1 when integrating from infinity back to 0 when Im(z)<0. Then I get this:

I=-\pi^{2}/2 \frac{cos(\pi p/2)}{sin(\pi p)e^{i\pi p}}

Of course I can simplify it but its definitely wrong cos its negative, and there is a dependence on a complex exponential...so what have I done wrong? Am I even supposed to be using a branch cut or is it enough to do this with a contour indented at the singularity z = i in the upper half of the complex plane...? I don't see how that would work though, I am pretty sure branch cut is the way to go, but I get this...
 
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Dixanadu said:

Homework Statement


Hey everyone,

So here's the problem, nice and simple. I have to find the following integral:
\int_{0}^{\infty} \frac{x^{p}ln(x)}{x^{2}+1}dx, 0&lt;p&lt;1

Homework Equations



The only thing relevant is the residue theorem:
\oint_{c}f(z)=2\pi i \times sum of residues enclosed

The Attempt at a Solution


So I've gone through it using a branch cut so that 0&lt;\theta&lt;2\pi. I then replaced x with z=re^{i(\theta + 2in\pi)}, setting n = 0 when integrating from 0 to infinity for Im(z)>0, then setting n = 1 when integrating from infinity back to 0 when Im(z)<0. Then I get this:

I=-\pi^{2}/2 \frac{cos(\pi p/2)}{sin(\pi p)e^{i\pi p}}

Of course I can simplify it but its definitely wrong cos its negative, and there is a dependence on a complex exponential...so what have I done wrong? Am I even supposed to be using a branch cut or is it enough to do this with a contour indented at the singularity z = i in the upper half of the complex plane...? I don't see how that would work though, I am pretty sure branch cut is the way to go, but I get this...

Suppose we did some work and we ended up with the integral:

\int_0^{\infty} \frac{r^p}{1+r^2} dr,\quad 0&lt;p&lt;1

Can you compute that by contour integration over a key-hole contour with the key-slot along the negative real axis?

First though, solve:

\int_0^{\infty} \frac{\sqrt{r}}{1+r^2} dr

then:

\int_0^{\infty} \frac{r^{1/3}}{1+r^2} dr

then try to solve it for the general case, then we can go back and set up the original problem.
 
Last edited:

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