Solve Challenging Integral with Proven Techniques | x>1 Integer Solution

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the analysis and potential solutions for the integral $$\displaystyle \int_2^\infty \frac{x+y}{(y)(y^2-1)(\ln(x+y))} dy$$, particularly for integer values of x greater than 1. Participants explore various techniques for evaluating the integral, including splitting the integrand and considering complex analysis methods.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in solving the integral and questions how to express it in terms of x and its asymptotic behavior.
  • Another participant suggests splitting the integrand into multiple parts to simplify the analysis.
  • A subsequent reply raises concerns about the potential for divergent integrals when applying the suggested splitting method.
  • Further discussion indicates that while splitting into four fractions may lead to divergence, dividing into two integrals could be safer, with one integral expected to be small for large x.
  • One participant speculates about using complex analysis and the residue theorem but admits uncertainty in the application of these methods.
  • A later reply provides a detailed approach using residues, calculating them at specific points and expressing the result in terms of x, while noting the exclusion of x = 2 due to a double pole.
  • Another participant acknowledges the usefulness of the complex domain approach despite its focus on that area.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best method to evaluate the integral, with multiple approaches and concerns about divergence being raised. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the most effective technique.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the convergence of integrals resulting from different splitting methods and the implications of using complex analysis techniques. There are also limitations regarding the assumptions made about the value of x and the behavior of the integrals involved.

pkmpad
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Hello.

I am having a lot of trouble trying to solve/analyse this integral:

$$\displaystyle \int_2^\infty \frac{x+y}{(y)(y^2-1)(\ln(x+y))} dy$$

I have tried everything with no result; it seems impossible for me to work with that natural logarithn.

I have also tried to compute it, as it converges for positive values of x, but that does not help neither.

It is given that that x will be an integer x>1.

Is there any way to leave the integral in terms of x? And to get its asymptotic behaviour?

Thank you very much.
 
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Try splitting the integrand into three or four parts: \frac{x+y}{y(y^{2}-1)\ln(x+y)}=\frac{A}{y}+\frac{B}{y-1}+\frac{C}{y+1}+\frac{D}{\ln(x+y)}.
 
Svein said:
Try splitting the integrand into three or four parts: \frac{x+y}{y(y^{2}-1)\ln(x+y)}=\frac{A}{y}+\frac{B}{y-1}+\frac{C}{y+1}+\frac{D}{\ln(x+y)}.

Thank you for your interest.

If I tried that, wouldn't I have a sum of divergent integrals?
 
pkmpad said:
Thank you for your interest.

If I tried that, wouldn't I have a sum of divergent integrals?
I do not know, but since the lower integral limit is 2 and x is greater than 1 you should be safe.
 
Svein said:
I do not know, but since the lower integral limit is 2 and x is greater than 1 you should be safe.

Breaking it in 4 fractions would definitively lead to a sum of divergent integrals, but dividing it into 2 integrals:
x \displaystyle \int_2^\infty \frac{1}{y(y^2-1)\log(x+y)} + \int_2^\infty \frac{1}{(y^2-1)\log(x+y)}

Since the value of the second one is too small for large x, any idea about what to do with the first one?
 
I am speculating about the complex domain and the residue theorem, but as of now I have not figured out exactly how to apply them.
 
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I can give some sort of an answer, but not very useful.

  1. Substitute p for x and z for y (just in order not to get confused).
  2. Assume p ≥ 3
  3. The integrand now reads \frac{z+p}{z(z-1)(z+1)log(z+p)}
  4. Calculate the residues at z = -1, 0, 1, 1-p:
Res_{z=-1}:\frac{p-1}{(-1)(-2)\log(p-1)}=\frac{p-1}{2+\log(p-1)}
Res_{z=0}:\frac{p}{1(-1)\log(p)}=\frac{-p}{\log(p)}
Res_{z=1}:\frac{p+1}{1\cdot 2\log(p+1)}=\frac{p+1}{2 \log(p+1)}
Res_{z=1-p}:\frac{1}{(1-p)(2-p)(-p)}=\frac{-1}{p(1-p)(2-p)}

Given that, we can find the primary Cauchy value of \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}\frac{z+p}{z(z-1)(z+1)log(z+p)}dz from the sum of the residues times πi:
\pi i (\frac{-p}{\log(p)}+\frac{p-1}{2\log(p-1)}+\frac{p+1}{2\log(p+1)}-\frac{1}{p(1-p)(2-p)})
or, rewritten with x instead of p:
\pi i (\frac{-x}{\log(x)}+\frac{x-1}{2\log(x-1)}+\frac{x+1}{2\log(x+1)}-\frac{1}{x(1-x)(2-x)})
Given that x should be an integer greater than 1, we have excluded the possible value of x = 2, where we get a (sort of) double pole at -1.
 
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Thank you! That helps a lot in my problem in spite of being focused on the complex domain of the function
 

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