MHB Solving Improper Integral Challenge Problem

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The discussion centers on solving the improper integral $\int_{0}^{\infty} \frac{\sin ax \sin bx}{x^{2}} \, dx$ for $a > b \ge 0$. Participants explore various techniques, including integration by parts, using trigonometric identities, and applying Fubini's theorem to justify changing the order of integration. The solution involves recognizing a key relationship with cosine functions and utilizing Tonelli's theorem for justification. Ultimately, the integral evaluates to $\pi b$, showcasing the complexity and depth of the problem-solving process. The thread highlights advanced calculus techniques and the importance of rigorous justification in mathematical analysis.
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My first post on the new forums is going to be a challenge problem.$\displaystyle \int_{0}^{\infty} \frac{\sin ax \ \sin bx}{x^{2}} \ dx \ , \ a > b \ge 0$
 
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Random Variable said:
My first post on the new forums is going to be a challenge problem.$\displaystyle \int_{0}^{\infty} \frac{\sin ax \ \sin bx}{x^{2}} \ dx \ , \ a > b \ge 0$

It's the old standby, first let our integral be $I$ then $$\begin{aligned}2I &=\int_0^{\infty}\frac{\cos((a-b)x)-\cos((a+b)x)}{x^2}\\ &= \int_0^{\infty}\int_{a-b}^{a+b}\frac{\sin(xy)}{x}\\ &=\int_{a-b}^{a+b}\int_0^{\infty}\frac{\sin(xy)}{x}\\ &=\int_{a-b}^{a+b}\frac{\pi}{2}\\ &=\pi b\end{aligned}$$
 
Fubini's theorem is not satisfied. What's the justification for changing the order of integration?

And I probably should have just said that $a,b \ge 0$ to make the problem slightly more interesting.

Anyways, my idea was to integrate by parts, use a trig product-to-sum identity, and then use the fact that $\displaystyle \int_{0}^{\infty} \frac{\sin \alpha x}{x} \ dx = \frac{\pi}{2}\text{sgn}(\alpha) $
 
Most of this cases are tricky to justify, and everything works because is hidden, so the only trick here is to observe that $\dfrac{1-\cos ((a+b)x)-\left[ 1-\cos ((a-b)x) \right]}{{{x}^{2}}},$ so now use $\displaystyle\frac1{x^2}=\int_0^\infty te^{-tx}\,dt$ and this absolutely justifies the integration order by using Tonelli's Theorem.
 
Last edited:
Random Variable said:
My first post on the new forums is going to be a challenge problem.$\displaystyle \int_{0}^{\infty} \frac{\sin ax \ \sin bx}{x^{2}} \ dx \ , \ a > b \ge 0$

how can you solve this hard problems ,i'm lovin it
 
By symmetry :

\frac{1}{2} \int_0^{\infty}\frac{\cos((a-b)x)-\cos((a+b)x)}{x^2}\, dx \,=\, \frac{1}{4} \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}\frac{\cos((a-b)x)-\cos((a+b)x)}{x^2}\, dx

\mathcal {Re} ( \frac{1}{4} \int_0^{\infty}\frac{e^{i(a-b)z}-e^{i(a+b)z}}{x^2} \, dx )

can be solved using a contour in the upper half plane that doesn't include zero

\frac{1}{4}\int_{-\infty }^{\infty}\frac{e^{i(a-b) x}-e^{i(a+b)x}}{x^2}= \frac{\pi i}{4}\mathcal {Rez}(f(z) , 0)=\frac{\pi i}{4} (i(a-b) - i(a+b) )= -\frac{\pi}{4}(a-b-a-b)= \frac{\pi b}{2}
 
Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?

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