# Homework Help: Integration help!

1. Jan 11, 2014

### GregoryGr

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Calculate the integral:

2. Relevant equations

-

3. The attempt at a solution

I tried some trig identities, like t=tan(x/2). The cos^2 smells like an arctan derivative but I can't seem to think of anything that could work...

2. Jan 13, 2014

### yands

You know cos^2(2x) is non-negative so it means 1+ cos^2(2x) is always positive
Use the fact that 1+cos^2(2x) is bounded to evaluate this integral .

Last edited: Jan 13, 2014
3. Jan 14, 2014

### dirk_mec1

Maybe write cos in exponents?

4. Jan 14, 2014

### Ray Vickson

I am beginning to doubt there is a simple closed-form solution. However, one can reduce it to a finite integration that might be preferable to use if you want an accurate numerical value. Call the integral J, and note that we can re-write it as an integral over [0,∞):
$$J = \int_0^{\infty} f(x) \, dx, \:\: f(x) = \frac{e^{-x}}{1 + \cos^2(2x)}$$
Since $\cos^2(2x)$ is periodic with period $\pi/2$ we have
$$f\left( n \frac{\pi}{2} + t \right) = \alpha^n f(t), \; \alpha = e^{-\pi/2}$$
so
$$J = \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \alpha^n J_0 = \frac{J_0}{1-\alpha}, \text{ where } J_0 = \int_0^{\pi/2} f(x) \, dx.$$
For numerical work it might be better to work with J_0 instead of the original J.