Solving Complex Integral: Cos(x^2) + Sin(x^2)

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
3 replies · 2K views
Nebuchadnezza
Messages
78
Reaction score
2
I read in some text or book that the integral

[tex]\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \cos(x^2) + \sin(x^2) \, \mathrm{d}x = \sqrt{2\pi}[/tex]

I was wondering how this is possible. I read on this site that one such possible way was to start by integrating

[tex]e^{-i x^2} = \cos(x^2) - i \cos(x^2)[/tex]

My knowledge about complex analysis is rather limited. Could anyone expain to me how the integral at the top is evaluated? (I know one could start of by noticing the symmetry about the y-axis. )

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=139465

Agomez, shows one way to do it. But it is not exactly the same as the integral above. Sigh, I feel stupid for not seeing this one...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Because cos(x^2)+sin(x^2) is an even function, we have
[tex]\int_{-\infty}^\infty \cos(x^2)+\sin(x^2)\, dx = 2 \int_0^\infty \cos(x^2)+\sin(x^2) \,dx.[/tex]
Now use the results from agomez's calculations.
 
My main problem is that

$$ e^{-ix^2} = \cos(x^2) - i \sin(x^2) $$

Whilst this integral is [itex]\cos(x^2) + \sin(x^2)[/itex]. Does the minus sign change anything?