Solving Integral of sinc(x) for Definite Integral

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sistine
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Integral
Sistine
Messages
18
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


I'm trying to prove the following definite integral of sinc(x)

\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}\frac{\sin(x)}{x}dx=\pi


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I've tried power series expansions as well as trigonometric identities like

\frac{\cos 2x}{x}=\frac{\cos^2 x}{x}-\frac{\sin^2 x}{x}

I also looked at techniques used to integrate the definite integral
\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}e^{-x^2}dx

which I know is solved by double integration and changing to polar coordinates. However, this does not help me integrate sinc(x).
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Well, I suppose you could do it by making a closed curve in the complex plane and using Caychy's theorem (and Jordan's lemma). There might be an easier way, but I can't think of any.
 
Think about euler's formula and leibniz. A 'simple' proof can be made this way.
 
\int_{0}^{\infty}\sin(x)\exp(-sx)dx=\frac{1}{1+s^2}

Integrate both sides from s = 0 to infinity to obtain the result.
 
sinc(x) = sin(x)
x
has no anti-derivative
 
ahmedxahmed said:
sinc(x) = sin(x)
x
has no anti-derivative

no elementary anti-derivative :wink:
 
Back
Top