MHB What Does the Integral Evaluate To?

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    2017
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The discussion centers on evaluating the definite integral $$\int_0^\infty \frac{dt}{(1+t^2)t^{1/2}}$$. Participants are encouraged to follow the Problem of the Week guidelines for submissions. Opalg provided the correct solution, earning congratulations from the community. Fatimarose23 also received an honorable mention for their contribution. The thread highlights the importance of collaboration and problem-solving in mathematical discussions.
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Here's this week's POTW:

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Determine the value of the definite integral

$$\int_0^\infty \frac{dt}{(1+t^2)t^{1/2}}$$-----

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Congratulations to Opalg for his correct solution. Honorable mention goes to fatimarose23. Here is Opalg's solution.
Substitute $s = t^{1/2}$, so that $t=s^2$ and $dt = 2s\,ds$. Then $$\int_0^\infty \frac{dt}{(1+t^2)t^{1/2}} = \int_0^\infty \frac{2s}{(1+s^4)s}ds = \int_0^\infty \frac{2}{(1+s^4)}ds.$$ To evaluate $$J = \int_0^\infty \frac{2}{(1+s^4)}ds$$ by contour integration, use a contour consisting of the interval $[0,R]$, a quarter-circle from $R$ to $iR$ and then back down the imaginary axis to the origin (and then let $R\to\infty$). The integral of $\dfrac2{1+z^4}$ along the positive real axis is just $J$, the integral round the quarter-circle goes to $0$, and the integral down the imaginary axis is $-iJ$. So the integral round the whole contour is $(1-i)J.$

The only singularity inside the contour is at the fourth root of $-1$ at $z_0 = \dfrac{1+i}{\sqrt2}$. The residue there is $\dfrac2{4z^3}$ evaluated at $z_0$, namely $\dfrac{\sqrt2}{2(-1+i)}.$ So Cauchy's theorem tells us that $(1-i)J = \dfrac{2\pi i\sqrt2}{2(-1+i)}$. Therefore $$J = \frac{\pi i\sqrt2}{- (1-i)^2} = \frac{\pi i\sqrt2}{2i} = \frac{\pi}{\sqrt2}.$$