Using Integral Substitution to Solve a Challenging Integration Problem

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on using integral substitution to demonstrate the equivalence of two integrals: the integral from 0 to infinity of dz/((e^(2z) - 1)^(1/2)) and the integral from 0 to 1 of dx/(1 - x^2)^(1/2), which equals π/2. The key substitution involves setting x = e^(-z), leading to transformed limits from infinity to 0, and simplifying the integral to match the second form. The critical aspect highlighted is the correct handling of the negative sign during the substitution process, which affects the limits of integration.

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chemphys1
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Homework Statement



sorry if question is unclear can't draw the integal sign out

Show that
Integral infinity-0 dz/((e^2z) - 1)^1/2 = integral 1- 0 dx/(1-x^2)^1/2 = pi/2



The Attempt at a Solution



I can get from the second integral to pi/2, as the second integral is sin^1(1) = pi/2

However, I do not understand how to go between these two integrals

infinity-0 dz/((e^2z) - 1)^1/2 = 1- 0 dx/(1-x^2)^1/2

I tried substituing things like x = z, but doesn't work. Can't see how you would change the limits from infinity to 0, to 1 to 0?

Maths is not my strong point so this could well be quite simple

any help much appreciated
 
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Hint: the denominator can be expressed as ##\displaystyle (e^z + 1)^{\frac{1}{2}}.(e^z - 1)^{\frac{1}{2}} = e^z.(1 + e^{-z})^{\frac{1}{2}}.(1 - e^{-z})^{\frac{1}{2}}##

Does that help?
 
Curious3141 said:
Hint: the denominator can be expressed as ##\displaystyle (e^z + 1)^{\frac{1}{2}}.(e^z - 1)^{\frac{1}{2}} = e^z.(1 + e^{-z})^{\frac{1}{2}}.(1 - e^{-z})^{\frac{1}{2}}##

Does that help?

Thank you for the help!

I've subsituted x = e^-z

so dz = dx/-e^-z

integral becomes

1/e^z(1+x)^1/2 (1-x^1/2) * dx/-e^-z

e^z*-e^-z = 1

so 1/(1+x)^1/2 (1-x^1/2) dx = 1/(1-x^2)^1/2

and then e^-z = x e^-infinity = 1 hence new limits 1 to 0

I think that works?
 
chemphys1 said:
Thank you for the help!

I've subsituted x = e^-z

so dz = dx/-e^-z

integral becomes

1/e^z(1+x)^1/2 (1-x^1/2) * dx/-e^-z

e^z*-e^-z = 1

so 1/(1+x)^1/2 (1-x^1/2) dx = 1/(1-x^2)^1/2

and then e^-z = x e^-infinity = 1 hence new limits 1 to 0

I think that works?

Very difficult to read your post without LaTex.

But this: "e^z*-e^-z = 1" is an error, because the result should be negative one.

And that negative sign is important when you transform the bounds.
 

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