Logarithmic Integral on Stack Exchange - author unknown

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the evaluation of the integral $$\int_0^1\frac{\log(1+x)\log(1-x)}{(1+x)}\,dx$$ and its generalization to a parametric case $$\mathcal{I}(z)=\int_0^z\frac{\log(1+x)\log(1-x)}{(1+x)}\,dx$$. Participants explore various methods of solving this integral, including substitutions and connections to polylogarithms, while also discussing the complexity of related integrals.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a detailed solution involving substitutions and integration by parts, leading to a representation in terms of polylogarithms.
  • Another participant suggests differentiating the hypergeometric function as an alternative method, although they acknowledge its difficulty.
  • A later reply mentions the complexity of higher-order integrals of similar forms, indicating that they can be evaluated using similar techniques but may involve complicated sums.
  • Some participants express interest in further developments and solutions related to the topic, indicating ongoing exploration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a single method of solution, as multiple approaches are discussed, and the complexity of the integrals is acknowledged. There is an indication of interest in further exploration rather than a definitive conclusion.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the integrals discussed can become complex, particularly when dealing with higher-order cases, and that closed forms may involve intricate sums. There are also references to specific integral representations that may depend on definitions and assumptions not fully explored in the discussion.

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Consider the generalized parametric case where $$0 < z \le 1$$:$$\mathcal{I}(z)=\int_0^z\frac{\log(1+x)\log(1-x)}{(1+x)}\,dx$$Substitute $$y=1+x$$ to obtain:$$\int_1^{1+z}\frac{\log y\log[1-(y-1)]}{y}\,dy=\int_1^{1+z}\frac{\log y\log(2-y)}{y}\,dy=$$$$\int_1^{1+z}\frac{\log y\log\left[2 \left(1-\frac{y}{2} \right) \right]}{y}\,dy=$$$$\log 2\, \int_1^{1+z}\frac{\log y}{y}\,dy+\int_1^{1+z}\frac{\log y\log\left( 1- \frac{y}{2} \right)}{y}\,dy$$Performing an integration by parts on that first integral gives:$$\frac{1}{2}\log 2\, (\log y)^2\, \Bigg|_1^{1+z}=\frac{1}{2}\log 2\log^2(1+z)$$So$$\mathcal{I}(z)=\frac{1}{2}\log 2\log^2(1+z)+\int_1^{1+z}\frac{\log y\log\left( 1- \frac{y}{2} \right)}{y}\,dy$$Next, we split that last integral into two:$$\int_1^{1+z}\frac{\log y\log\left( 1- \frac{y}{2} \right)}{y}\,dy=
\int_0^{1+z}\frac{\log y\log\left( 1- \frac{y}{2} \right)}{y}\,dy-\int_0^1\frac{\log y\log\left( 1- \frac{y}{2} \right)}{y}\,dy$$For $$0 < z \le 1$$, Polylogarithms of order $$m \ge 1$$ have the integral representation:$$\text{Li}_m(z)=\frac{(-1)^{m-1}}{(m-2)!}\int_0^1\frac{(\log x)^{m-2}\log(1-zx)}{x}\,dx$$Hence$$\int_0^1\frac{\log y\log\left( 1- \frac{y}{2} \right)}{y}\,dy=\text{Li}_3\left( \tfrac{1}{2}\right) $$So$$\mathcal{I}(z)=\frac{1}{2}\log 2\log^2(1+z)-\text{Li}_3\left( \tfrac{1}{2}\right) +\int_0^{1+z}\frac{\log y\log\left( 1- \frac{y}{2} \right)}{y}\,dy$$For that final integral, apply the substitution $$y=(1+z)\, x$$ to change it into:$$\int_0^1\frac{\log[(1+z)\, x]\, \log\left(1-\frac{(1+z)}{2}\, x \right)}{x}\,dx=$$$$\log(1+z)\, \int_0^1\frac{\log\left(1-\frac{(1+z)}{2}\, x \right)}{x}\,dx+\int_0^1\frac{\log x\, \log\left(1-\frac{(1+z)}{2}\, x \right)}{x}\,dx$$By the integral representation for arbitrary (non-zero) order Polylogs given above, this equates to:$$-\log(1+z) \, \text{Li}_2\left(\frac{1+z}{2}\right)+ \text{Li}_3 \left(\frac{1+z}{2}\right)$$
------------------------------
General parametric solution:

$$\int_0^z\frac{\log(1+x)\log(1-x)}{(1+x)}\,dx=$$$$\frac{1}{2}\log 2\log^2(1+z)-\text{Li}_3\left( \tfrac{1}{2}\right) - \log(1+z) \, \text{Li}_2\left(\frac{1+z}{2}\right)+ \text{Li}_3 \left(\frac{1+z}{2}\right)$$For $$\, \, 0 < z \le 1$$
 
Nice solution . I always consider differentiating the hypergeometric function to be an alternative solution even though not easy .
 
ZaidAlyafey said:
Nice solution . I always consider differentiating the hypergeometric function to be an alternative solution even though not easy .
Thanks Zaid! (Sun)

It can get a bit - erm - 'hairy' when your dealing with higher order integrals of the type above, but all integrals of the form $$\int_0^z\frac{\log^m(1+x)\log(1-x)}{(1+x)},dx$$and $$\int_0^z\frac{\log^m(1-x)\log(1+x)}{(1-x)},dx$$can be done in the same way. The closed form involves some pretty annoying (finite!) double sums (possibly a triple sum too)... I'll add this onto the Logarithmic Integrals thread at some point (soon). It's been "in the post" for a while... ;)
 
Last edited:
That seems interesting , I'll be waiting to see that .
 
DreamWeaver said:
Thanks Zaid! (Sun)

It can get a bit - erm - 'hairy' when your dealing with higher order integrals of the type above, but all integrals of the form $$\int_0^z\frac{\log^m(1+x)\log(1-x)}{(1+x)},dx$$and $$\int_0^z\frac{\log^m(1-x)\log(1+x)}{(1-x)},dx$$can be done in the same way. The closed form involves some pretty annoying (finite!) double sums (possibly a triple sum too)... I'll add this onto the Logarithmic Integrals thread at some point (soon). It's been "in the post" for a while... ;)

ZaidAlyafey said:
That seems interesting , I'll be waiting to see that .

Hi DreamWeaver,

I see it now that you have got a fan, congrats! (Sun)And I envy you!:p
 

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