What is the integral of ln(secx + tanx)?

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

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the integral of the function ln(sec(x) + tan(x)). Participants explore various methods for solving this integral, including integration by parts and rewriting the expression, while also debating the nature of its solution.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant attempts integration by parts with u = ln(sec(x) + tan(x)) and dv = dx, but finds that it leads to a trivial result.
  • Another participant claims that the integral does not have a closed form answer in terms of elementary functions.
  • A different participant presents a complex expression involving the Polylog function, suggesting that it does have a solution, albeit not in elementary terms.
  • There is a clarification on the definition of elementary functions, with one participant asserting that Polylog does not fit this definition.
  • A participant requests the source of the Polylog expression provided earlier.
  • A link to an online integral calculator is shared as a resource for further exploration of the integral.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether the integral has a closed form solution in elementary functions, with some asserting it does not and others providing a complex solution involving Polylog. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the nature of the integral's solution.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions made about the definitions of elementary functions and the complexity of the proposed solutions. The mathematical steps leading to the Polylog expression are not fully detailed.

JamesGregory
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
I was taking the integral of the secant function. Twice...
The first one is simple, but what is the integral of
ln(secx + tanx)dx?

I've tried a few things, the first being integration by parts with u = ln(secx + tanx+) and dv = dx
This just cancels in the end to 0 = 0
I also rewrote it as int[ln(1+sinx) - ln(cosx)]dx but that doesn't seem to be any easier.

Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
It doesn't have a closed form answer in terms of elementary functions.
 
sure it does, unless you consider the polylog erudite:

<br /> \frac{1}{2} \left(\pi \left(i x+\text{Log}\left[-\text{Sin}\left[\frac{1}{4} (\pi -2 x)\right]\right]-\text{Log}[1+i \text{Cos}[x]-\text{Sin}[x]]-\text{Log}[1-i<br /> \text{Cos}[x]+\text{Sin}[x]]+\text{Log}\left[\text{Sin}\left[\frac{1}{4} (\pi +2 x)\right]\right]\right)+2 x \left(2 i \text{ArcTan}\left[e^{i x}\right]+\text{Log}[\text{Sec}[x]+\text{Tan}[x]]\right)+2<br /> i \text{PolyLog}\left[2,i e^{i x}\right]-2 i \text{PolyLog}[2,-i \text{Cos}[x]+\text{Sin}[x]]\right)

lol off screen. whatever it's in the body of the post, just click quote or something
 
Last edited:
Elementary functions are finite combinations and compositions of algebraic, logarithmic, and exponential functions. Polylog obviously doesn't fit that description.
 
yea you're right
 
@ice109: How do you get that formula? (The one that involves PolyLog)
 
Thank you!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
5K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
9K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
3K