MHB Value of Sigma such that the integral converges

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The integral \(\int_0^{\infty} e^{-5t} e^{-(\sigma + i\omega)t} dt\) converges if the real part of \(\sigma + i\omega\) satisfies \(\text{Re}(\sigma + i\omega) > -5\). This means that \(\sigma\) must be greater than \(-5\) when \(\omega\) is not zero. The discussion highlights that for convergence, the exponential term must decay, which occurs when the exponent is negative. There is some confusion regarding the treatment of the modulus of the exponential function, but it is clarified that the negative sign in the exponent does not disappear. Ultimately, the key takeaway is that \(\sigma\) must be greater than \(-5\) for the integral to converge.
Dustinsfl
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What value of sigma guarantees the integral converges?
\[
\int_0^{\infty}e^{-5t}e^{-(\sigma + i\omega)t}dt = \frac{1}{5 + \sigma + i\omega}
\]
I don't see a problem as long as \(\omega\neq 0\) and \(\sigma\neq -5\), but by the way the question is worded, it sounds like it is after something else since it doesn't mention the value of \(\omega\).
 
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dwsmith said:
What value of sigma guarantees the integral converges?
\[
\int_0^{\infty}e^{-5t}e^{-(\sigma + i\omega)t}dt = \frac{1}{5 + \sigma + i\omega}
\]
I don't see a problem as long as \(\omega\neq 0\) and \(\sigma\neq -5\), but by the way the question is worded, it sounds like it is after something else since it doesn't mention the value of \(\omega\).

Setting $s = \sigma + i\ \omega$ the integral becomes...

$\displaystyle \int_{0}^{\infty} e^{- 5\ t}\ e^{- s\ t}\ d t = \mathcal{L} \{e^{- 5\ t}\} = \frac{1}{s + 5}\ (1)$

... and the (1) converges for $\displaystyle \text{Re}\ s > - 5$...

Kind regards$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
chisigma said:
Setting $s = \sigma + i\ \omega$ the integral becomes...

$\displaystyle \int_{0}^{\infty} e^{- 5\ t}\ e^{- s\ t}\ d t = \mathcal{L} \{e^{- 5\ t}\} = \frac{1}{s + 5}\ (1)$

... and the (1) converges for $\displaystyle \text{Re}\ s > - 5$...

Kind regards$\chi$ $\sigma$

What is wrong with \(\text{Re} \ s <-5\)?
 
dwsmith said:
What is wrong with \(\text{Re} \ s <-5\)?

An integral up to infinity of the form $\int_0^\infty e^{(x+iy)t} dt$ can only converge if $x<0$.
That is because the magnitude:
$$|e^{(x+iy)t}|=|e^{xt} e^{iyt}| = e^{xt}$$
will be of the form $e^{-t}$ if x is negative and $e^t$ if x is positive.
Only the first form will converge when integrated to infinity.
 
I like Serena said:
An integral up to infinity of the form $\int_0^\infty e^{(x+iy)t} dt$ can only converge if $x<0$.
That is because the magnitude:
$$|e^{(x+iy)t}|=|e^{xt} e^{iyt}| = e^{xt}$$
will be of the form $e^{-t}$ if x is negative and $e^t$ if x is positive.
Only the first form will converge when integrated to infinity.

The modulus of my problem is then
\[
\lvert e^{-(5+\sigma + i\omega)t}\rvert = e^{(5 + \sigma)t}
\]
since we lose the negative sign. Therefore, to have a negative exponential, wouldn't we need \(\sigma < - 5\)?
 
dwsmith said:
The modulus of my problem is then
\[
\lvert e^{-(5+\sigma + i\omega)t}\rvert = e^{(5 + \sigma)t}
\]
since we lose the negative sign. Therefore, to have a negative exponential, wouldn't we need \(\sigma < - 5\)?

We would not lose the negative sign.
$$|e^{-(5+\sigma + i\omega)t}| = |e^{-(5+\sigma)t} e^{i\omega t}| = |e^{-(5+\sigma)t} | \cdot |e^{i\omega t}| = |e^{-(5+\sigma)t}|$$
Since $e^{-(5+\sigma)t}$ is always a positive number, this is equal to:
$$e^{-(5+\sigma)t}$$
 
I like Serena said:
We would not lose the negative sign.
$$|e^{-(5+\sigma + i\omega)t}| = |e^{-(5+\sigma)t} e^{i\omega t}| = |e^{-(5+\sigma)t} | \cdot |e^{i\omega t}| = |e^{-(5+\sigma)}|$$
Since $e^{-(5+\sigma)t}$ is always a positive number, this is equal to:
$$e^{-(5+\sigma)t}$$

To take the modulus, we have \(\sqrt{(e^{-5t})^2} = e^{5t}\). We always lose the negative when doing this. Granted exponential is always greater than 0 but how does that preserve a negative which squared?
 
dwsmith said:
To take the modulus, we have \(\sqrt{(e^{-5t})^2} = e^{5t}\). We always lose the negative when doing this. Granted exponential is always greater than 0 but how does that preserve a negative which squared?

This is not true.
The square root cancels the square. The power $-5t$ remains intact.

Let's try it with t=1/5.
Then the argument is $e^{-1} \approx 0.368$.
If we square this number and then take the square root of the result, we will get the same number.
In particular we will not get the number $e^{1} \approx 2.71$
 

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