Real integrals using complex analysis

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The discussion revolves around solving four challenging integrals using complex analysis techniques. The user expresses difficulty with integrals defined from 0 to infinity, particularly focusing on two specific cases: the integral involving cos(2x) and the integral with a cosine function in the denominator. Participants emphasize the importance of defining closed paths for contour integration and the need to consider residues at the poles within those paths. Clarifications are made regarding the notation and approach to the integrals, particularly the transition from "2z" to "cos(2z)" being a typographical error. The conversation highlights the necessity of understanding the behavior of integrals around singularities to arrive at solutions.
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Homework Statement


After successfully solving a lot of integrals I gathered 4 ugly ones that I can not solve:

a) ## \int _{-\infty} ^\infty \frac{cos(2x)}{x^4+1}dx##

b) ##\int _0 ^\infty \frac{dx}{1+x^3}##

c) ##\int _0 ^\infty \frac{x^2+1}{x^4+1}dx##

d) ##\int _0 ^{2\pi } \frac{d\varphi }{a+cos(\varphi )}##

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



I simply don't know what to do with integrals ##\int _0 ^\infty##. Have no idea! Please help!

I can only show my work and a) and d):

a)

##\int_{-\infty }^{\infty }\frac{cos(2z)}{z^4+1}dz=\int_{-R }^{R }\frac{cos(2x)}{x^4+1}dx+\int _\gamma\frac{cos(2z)}{z^4+1}dz## where ##R->\infty##.

Last integral is for ##z=Re^{i\varphi}## where ##R->\infty## clearely ##0##, therefore only one integral still remains:

##\int_{-\infty }^{\infty }\frac{cos(2z)}{z^4+1}dz##

##\int_{-\infty }^{\infty }\frac{cos(2z)}{z^4+1}dz=2\pi i \sum Res(f,a)##

##z^4+1=0## gives me ##z_1=e^{i\pi /4}##, ##z_2=e^{i3pi /4}##, ##z_3=e^{i5\pi /4}## and ##z_4=e^{i7\pi /4}## singularity points which are all poles of order 1.

Therefore for all singularity points ##Res_{z=z_i} \frac{f(z)}{g(z)}=\frac{f(z_i)}{g^{'}(z_i)}=\frac{cos(2z_i)}{4z_i^3}##.

Now this is where it all stops for me. How much is for example ##\frac{cos(2e^{i5\pi /4})}{3e^{i15\pi /4}}## ?

d)
##\int _0 ^{2\pi } \frac{d\varphi }{a+cos(\varphi )}##

Hmmm... Can I say that ##cos(\varphi )=\frac{z+\bar{z}}{2}##?
 
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Integrals of functions of complex variables are typically path integrals around closed paths so that the integral is the sum of the residues at all poles inside the paths. In none of these have you said what closed paths you are using! For example, because (a) has poles at four points, two in the upper half plane and two in the lower, I might be inclined to integrate along the real axis, from -R to R, then take the integral around the semi-circle in the upper half plane from r= R to r= -R (I presume that is your "\gamma" but you should say so). As long as R is larger than 1, you will have both pole inside the path. And if you can prove that the integral around the semi-circle goes to 0 as R goes to infinity, that will be equal to the desired integral.

I don't understand why you switched from "2z" to "cos(2z)" in (a).
 
HallsofIvy said:
Integrals of functions of complex variables are typically path integrals around closed paths so that the integral is the sum of the residues at all poles inside the paths. In none of these have you said what closed paths you are using! For example, because (a) has poles at four points, two in the upper half plane and two in the lower, I might be inclined to integrate along the real axis, from -R to R, then take the integral around the semi-circle in the upper half plane from r= R to r= -R (I presume that is your "\gamma" but you should say so). As long as R is larger than 1, you will have both pole inside the path. And if you can prove that the integral around the semi-circle goes to 0 as R goes to infinity, that will be equal to the desired integral.

I don't understand why you switched from "2z" to "cos(2z)" in (a).

Because it was a typo. The problem is with ##cos(2z)##. I have edited the first post now. And yes, you are correct, that is my ##\gamma ##.
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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