Is there an equivalent form for arctan?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the equivalence of the arctan function, specifically addressing the formula arctan(x) = ∫(dt)/(a²+t²). Participants explore the implications of substituting ε in the integral and how it affects the argument of arctan. The conversation reveals that while the integral can be manipulated to yield arctan(t), the presence of ε may lead to confusion regarding its role in the final expression. Ultimately, the conclusion is that the integral correctly evaluates to 1, despite the oddity of ε in the intermediate steps.

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Aristotle
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Hi, I was just looking at an example for a certain problem and noticed that in the second step they went to arctan(epsilon). I know there's a form that is equal to arctan but am a little unsure.
I've come across formulas on the web such as
arctan(x) = ∫(dt)/(a2+t2)
but nothing else that would get to arctan.

Can somebody please direct me to the correct formula?

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I think the ##\varepsilon## in the term with ##\tan^{-1}## is misleading. What if you substitute ##u := \frac{t}{\varepsilon}## and solve the integral?
 
fresh_42 said:
I think the ##\varepsilon## in the term with ##\tan^{-1}## is misleading. What if you substitute ##u := \frac{t}{\varepsilon}## and solve the integral?
If you don't mind me asking, where did you get t/ε from?
 
For the integral, ##\varepsilon## is only a disturbing constant as ##\pi## is. I simply tried to get the integral in the form ##\int \frac{1}{1+x^2} dx## which means to pull out ##\varepsilon^2## in the denominator.
 
fresh_42 said:
For the integral, ##\varepsilon## is only a disturbing constant as ##\pi## is. I simply tried to get the integral in the form ##\int \frac{1}{1+x^2} dx## which means to pull out ##\varepsilon^2## in the denominator.
The only way I see taking ε2 out of the denominator is dividing that number by itself for numerator and denominator.
But you would get ∫(1/ε)⋅( (dt) / ( (t22)+1) )
 
Yes, and now substitute ##u := \frac{t}{\varepsilon}## and replace ##dt## by ##du##.
 
fresh_42 said:
Yes, and now substitute ##u := \frac{t}{\varepsilon}## and replace ##dt## by ##du##.
Wouldn't that get you arctan(t) and not arctan(ε)?
 
##\arctan u## as I see it. I don't understand how the ##\varepsilon## get's into the argument of ##\arctan##. As such it is the variable where the ##\pm \infty## apply to, not the ##\varepsilon## from the limit. I said I find the notation misleading. But it's only a temporary result anyway, so I didn't bother too much.
 
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  • #10
fresh_42 said:
##\arctan u## as I see it. I don't understand how the ##\varepsilon## get's into the argument of ##\arctan##. As such it is the variable where the ##\pm \infty## apply to, not the ##\varepsilon## from the limit. I said I find the notation misleading. But it's only a temporary result anyway, so I didn't bother too much.
Thank you so much for your help! I also got the same. Possibly their answer is incorrect...
 
  • #11
Aristotle said:
Thank you so much for your help! I also got the same. Possibly their answer is incorrect...
Why? It's ##1## in the end, so the result is correct, only the ##\varepsilon## in between is odd.
 
  • #12
fresh_42 said:
Why? It's ##1## in the end, so the result is correct, only the ##\varepsilon## in between is odd.
Woops didnt mean to say the answer was wrong. ?:)
But yeah the ε in the arctan in that step is odd. Think they forgot a 't' in the numerator.
 

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