Solving Tough Integral with Log - Need Help

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Hepth
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Integral Log
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenge of solving a complex integral involving a logarithmic function and a square root. The integral is defined over specific limits related to the variables E1, m, and mB, and participants explore potential algebraic tricks or substitutions to facilitate the integration process.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in integrating the function and mentions that Mathematica returns the input without simplification, despite being able to obtain numerical results.
  • Another participant questions the definition of the variable and the presence of three integration limits, seeking clarification on the integration setup.
  • A participant clarifies that the variable of integration is E1 and specifies the range from m to mB/2.
  • There is a suggestion to rewrite the logarithm in terms of inverse trigonometric or hyperbolic functions, although the effectiveness of this approach is uncertain.
  • One participant recommends providing Mathematica with assumptions about the variables' ranges to potentially simplify the integration process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a specific method to solve the integral, and multiple approaches are proposed without agreement on their effectiveness.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the complexity of the integral and the challenges faced in finding an algebraic solution, with participants noting the asymptotic behavior of the function near the upper bound of integration.

Hepth
Science Advisor
Gold Member
Messages
458
Reaction score
40
I posted this in the mathematical/computation software forum but maybe there's an algebraic trick I don't know to help me solve this.

I need to compute an integral of:
[tex]\sqrt{\text{E1}^2-m^2} Log\left( \frac{m^2-m_B E1-m_B\sqrt{E1^2-m^2}}{m^2-m_B E1+m_B \sqrt{E1^2-m^2}}\right)[/tex]

over the region {E1,m,mB/2}

the limits of integration are well defined in the equation, though the function is asymptotic near the upper bound. But it still has a value there.

I can't seem to integrate this. Mathematica just spits the input back out. I know its possible because I can numerically integrate it for what I want and it gives a reasonable answer. Unfortunately I REALLY want an algebraic solution...

Does anyone have any ideas? An integral of a sqrt times a log of a function of the variable. I've tried some substitution methods, nothing seems to simplify.

Thanks for the help!


EDIT:I think I got something by letting U= Log[everything], it can be algebraic, but its sooo long... any other choices?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Hepth said:
I posted this in the mathematical/computation software forum but maybe there's an algebraic trick I don't know to help me solve this.

I need to compute an integral of:
[tex]\sqrt{\text{E1}^2-m^2} Log\left( \frac{m^2-m_B E1-m_B\sqrt{E1^2-m^2}}{m^2-m_B E1+m_B \sqrt{E1^2-m^2}}\right)[/tex]

over the region {E1,m,mB/2}
What is the variable here? Why are there three integration limits {E1,m,mB/2} instead of two?
 
variable is E1. From m to mB/2

I used mathematicas way of saying that sorry.
 
Hepth said:
EDIT:I think I got something by letting U= Log[everything], it can be algebraic, but its sooo long... any other choices?

Well, you can also use Mathematica do perform these steps and simplify the end result...
 
It looks like you might be able to rewrite the logarithm in terms of inverse trigonometric (or hyperbolic) functions. Not sure if that helps you do the integral, though. Also, did you try giving Mathematica some Assumptions as to the ranges of the variables? Sometimes if it knows a variable is real and positive, it is able to simplify, because now it knows what branch every function needs to be evaluated on.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K