Is there an optimal way to check complicated definite integrals?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the value of a specific integral and exploring optimal methods for checking complicated definite integrals. Participants share their attempts, resources, and methods related to the integral, which is part of a theoretical physics context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks the value of the integral \(\int^{\infty}_0 {r^{3-\epsilon} \over (r^2+N^2)^2}dr\) and questions whether rewriting the integrand could help.
  • Another participant suggests using the Wolfram online integrator, but a later reply indicates that it does not provide definite integration results for the given integrand.
  • Some participants mention the use of software like Maple or Mathematica as potential tools for solving the integral, though access to these tools may be limited.
  • A participant shares a detailed solution for the integral, involving transformations and the use of Beta and Gamma functions, but does not claim it as the only method.
  • Another participant confirms a result obtained using Mathematica, suggesting it is equivalent to the previously shared solution.
  • One participant references a relationship between Gamma functions and sine functions to support their findings.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on a single optimal method for checking complicated definite integrals. Participants present various approaches and results, but disagreements about the effectiveness of different tools and methods remain.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the availability of resources and the limitations of online integrators. The discussion includes various mathematical transformations and assumptions that are not fully resolved.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in advanced integral calculus, theoretical physics, and methods for evaluating complex integrals may find this discussion relevant.

wasia
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Hello!

I am looking for a value of an integral
\int^{\infty}_0 {r^{3-\epsilon} \over (r^2+N^2)^2}dr

I have tried looking up a book by Gradshteyn and Ryzhik, however, its structure is quite complicated. Should I rewrite the integrand in some other non-obvious way to find it? Would you recommend using some other resource?

The answer is known (it involves Gamma functions), as the integral is a part of a paper about the "ABC theory" (toy QFT) by Kraus and Griffiths. However, I would like to 1) discover the optimal way to check complicated definite integrals in future and 2) check the value of this particular integral.

Thank you.
 
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yyat said:
Not sure if this helps, but you can always use the Wolfram online integrator:

http://integrals.wolfram.com/index.jsp?expr=x^(3-e)%2F(x^2+%2B+a^2)^2&random=false
I have tried it, this integrator does not do the definite integration. Input of the integrand above gives some "hypergeometric" functions as an output. I still hope that something better exists, but thank you anyway.

Maple or Mathematica would be a possibility, but I usually do not have them at hand.
 
I have failed to find the value in the integral tables, but I post the solution here, in case someone needs it.

R=<br /> \int_0^\infty {r^{3-\epsilon}dr\over \left[r^2+\Lambda^2\right]^2}<br /> = \int_0^\infty {rdr(r^2)^{1-\epsilon /2}dr\over \left[r^2+\Lambda^2\right]^2}<br /> = \left[ \substack{r^2+\Lambda^2=\Lambda^2 / y \\ 2rdr = -\Lambda^2 dy / y^2} \right]
= \int_1^0 \left( -{\Lambda^2dy \over 2y^2 } \right) <br /> \left[ \Lambda^2 \left( {1-y\over y} \right) \right]^{1-\epsilon /2}<br /> \left( y \over \Lambda^2 \right)^2<br /> ={1 \over 2\Lambda^{\epsilon}} \int_0^1 \left( {1-y \over y} \right)^{1-\epsilon /2}dy.

Then we have to know what Euler Beta and Gamma functions are.

B(a,b)=\int_0^1t^{a-1}(1-t)^{b-1}dt={\Gamma (a)\Gamma (b)\over \Gamma (a+b)}.

And finally

R = \dfrac{1}{2\Lambda^{\epsilon}} B({\epsilon \over 2}, 2-{\epsilon \over 2})<br /> = {\Gamma(\epsilon /2)\Gamma(2-\epsilon /2) \over 2\Lambda^{\epsilon}\Gamma(2)}<br /> = {\Gamma(\epsilon /2)\Gamma(2-\epsilon /2) \over 2\Lambda^{\epsilon}}.
 
wasia said:
R = {\Gamma(\epsilon /2)\Gamma(2-\epsilon /2) \over 2\Lambda^{\epsilon}}.

Using Mathematica I get
R = \frac{\pi(2-\epsilon)}{4\Lambda^{\epsilon}\sin(\epsilon\pi/2)}
which appears to be equivalent.
 
Yes by \frac{\pi}{\sin(\pi x)}=\Gamma(x)\Gamma(1-x) one gets that result.
 

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