Is the Integral of arctan(x)/(xln^2(x)) Convergent?

  • Thread starter Thread starter TheForumLord
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Integral
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the convergence of the integral \(\int_{0}^{\infty}\frac{\arctan x}{x \ln^{2} x}dx\). Participants are examining the behavior of the integral at critical points: 0, 1, and \(\infty\), and considering the implications of convergence or divergence at these points.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss breaking the integral into segments to analyze convergence at different intervals. There are considerations of using comparisons to known convergent series and questioning the behavior of the logarithmic function near critical points. Some participants express uncertainty about the implications of divergence in certain segments on the overall integral.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights and questioning each other's reasoning. Some guidance has been offered regarding the handling of specific integrals, but there is no consensus on the overall convergence of the original integral.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating through the complexities of logarithmic behavior and the implications of divergence in parts of the integral. There is a mention of specific integral evaluations and the need for rigorous justification in the context of convergence.

TheForumLord
Messages
104
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Check whether the integral \int_{0}^{\infty}\frac{arctanx}{xln^{2}x}dx converges.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



The problematic points are: 0, 1, \infty . So I said:
\int_{0}^{\infty}\frac{arctanx}{xln^{2}x}dx<br /> = \int_{0}^{1}\frac{arctanx}{xln^{2}x}dx+ \int_{1}^{2}\frac{arctanx}{xln^{2}x}dx+ \int_{2}^{\infty}\frac{arctanx}{xln^{2}x}dx .

The second integral converges [I've proved this by substition: x=1+t and then comparison to the series g(x)=\frac{1}{x^{2}}... I did it by knowing that in 0:
ln(1+x)\approx x...
I have no idea how to deal with the two other integrals... The ln is my problem...

Hope you'll be able to help

Thanks in advance!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The first integral has two problems again
you should rewrite it as(you could choose any number in (0,1) not only half):

\int_0^{\frac{1}{2}} \frac{arctan x}{x ln^2x} \, dx + \int_{\frac{1}{2}}^1 \frac{arctan x}{x ln^2x} \, dx

you should know that

\frac{arctan x}{x ln^2x} \leq \frac{\pi}{2} \cdot \frac{1}{xl n^2 x}

and
\int \frac{1}{x ln^2 x} \, dx

is easy.
 
System's idea is a good one, but I believe that it shows that the new integral diverges. If it had converged, then you would be ok, but since it diverges, then you still don't know if your original integral converges.

There is an interesting expansion for the logarithm.

{\rm ln}(x)=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty} (-1)^{n+1}{{(x-1)^n}\over{n}}

valid for 0&lt;x\le 2

This may be useful for looking at the problem point x=1.
 
Last edited:
Hmmmm... How did you prove that this integral convergs? (I mean the integral:
\int_{0}^{0.5} \frac{1}{xln^{2}x} dx ) ...

I think this is what is missing for my proof...


Thanks for the fast reply!
 
TheForumLord said:
Hmmmm... How did you prove that this integral convergs? (I mean the integral:
\int_{0}^{0.5} \frac{1}{xln^{2}x} dx ) ...

I think this is what is missing for my proof...


Thanks for the fast reply!

The antiderivative is -1/ln(x) I believe. This makes it clear that that integral converges. However, the next integral with the limit at 1 will diverge. This makes the situation a little more complicated. You now have to ask the question whether the divergence of the upper-bound integral proves the divergence of the actual integral. Maybe it does, but you need to make a proper argument to prove it.
 
Thanks a lot!
 

Similar threads

Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 47 ·
2
Replies
47
Views
5K