Telling whether an improper integral converges

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the convergence of the improper integral ##\displaystyle \int_0^{\infty} \frac{\log (x)}{1 - bx + x^2} dx##, particularly under the condition when ##b \ge 2##. Participants explore whether the integral can be considered to exist and converge to 0, and the implications of singularities in the denominator.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that for ##b \ge 2##, the integral does not exist due to singularities in the denominator.
  • Another participant suggests that the integral can be considered in the sense of principal value (p.v.) when ##b > 2##.
  • A later reply questions whether the integral could still converge to 0 in the normal sense for some specific values of ##b \ge 2##, seeking clarification on the conditions that would allow this.
  • One participant emphasizes that in the "normal sense," the integral does not exist, while also noting the peculiarity of the function being identically zero for all ##b##, suggesting numerical experimentation to explore the behavior around the singularities.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; there are competing views on whether the integral can exist and converge under the specified conditions, particularly regarding the interpretation of convergence in the normal versus principal value sense.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the behavior of the integral around singularities and the implications of different interpretations of convergence. The discussion highlights the dependence on the parameter ##b## and the nature of the singularities.

Mr Davis 97
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Say we have the following result: ##\displaystyle \int_0^{\infty} \frac{\log (x)}{1 - bx + x^2} = 0##. We see that the denominator is 0 for some positive real number when ##b \ge 2##. Thus, we obtain a two singularities under that condition. Here's my question. Can we go ahead and say that the integral does not exist in the case that ##b \ge 2##? Could it ever be possible that for a specific ##b \ge 2##, when we take the limits around the singularities we get an integral that still converges to 0?
 
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you can consider the integral in sense of p.v. when b>2
 
zwierz said:
you can consider the integral in sense of p.v. when b>2
I know that I could do that, but what I am asking is whether if b > 2 the integral could still converge to 0 in the normal sense, and if not why not.
 
in the "normal sense" (not in p.v. sense) this integral does not exist. In p.v. sense it is a priori strange why such a function of b must be identical zero for all b. Extract the singularity and try a numerical experiment first
 

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