What is the integral of x^2 over 1+x^10 from 0 to infinity?

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    2015
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SUMMARY

The integral of \( \frac{x^2}{1+x^{10}} \) from 0 to infinity evaluates to \( \frac{\pi}{5} \). This conclusion was reached through the application of residue theorem techniques in complex analysis. The discussion highlighted the importance of recognizing the behavior of the integrand at infinity and the poles of the function. Kiwi provided the correct solution, demonstrating a clear understanding of advanced calculus concepts.

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  • Understanding of integral calculus, specifically improper integrals.
  • Familiarity with complex analysis and residue theorem.
  • Knowledge of evaluating limits at infinity.
  • Experience with contour integration techniques.
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  • Study the residue theorem in complex analysis.
  • Learn about contour integration methods for evaluating improper integrals.
  • Explore advanced techniques in integral calculus, including substitution and transformation methods.
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Mathematicians, students of advanced calculus, and anyone interested in complex analysis and integral evaluation techniques will benefit from this discussion.

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Here is this week's POTW:

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Evaluate $\displaystyle \int_0^{\infty}\frac{x^2}{1+x^{10}} \, dx.$

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Remember to read the http://www.mathhelpboards.com/showthread.php?772-Problem-of-the-Week-%28POTW%29-Procedure-and-Guidelines to find out how to http://www.mathhelpboards.com/forms.php?do=form&fid=2!
 
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Congratulations to kiwi for his correct answer! It is posted below:

Consider the related closed contour integral in the complex plane (with r > 1):

\oint_R \frac{z^2}{1+z^{10}}dz=\int^{(r,0)}_{(-r,0)} \frac {z^2}{1+z^{10}}dz+\int _{arc} \frac {z^2}{1+z^{10}}dz

where "arc" is the semi circle in the upper half plane, centred on the origin and terminating on (r,0) and (-r,0) and the first integral is in the complex plane along the real axis.

The curve R contains five simple poles, located at:
p_1=e^{\frac{\pi i}{10}}, p_2=e^{\frac{3 \pi i}{10}}, p_3=e^{5 \frac{\pi i}{10}}, p_4=e^{\frac{7 \pi i}{10}}, p_5=e^{\frac{9 \pi i}{10}}.

The residues of these poles are given by:
Res(z_i)=\frac{x^2}{\frac{d}{dz}(1+x^{10})}=\frac 1{10}z^{-7}
So
Res(z_1)=-\frac {1}{10}e^{\frac{3 \pi i}{10}}

Res(z_2)=\frac {1}{10}e^{\frac{- \pi i}{10}}

Res(z_3)=-\frac {i}{10}

Res(z_4)=-\frac {1}{10}e^{\frac{ \pi i}{10}}

Res(z_5)=\frac {1}{10}e^{\frac{-3 \pi i}{10}}

The sum of the real part of these residues is zero, so:

SumResidues=\frac {1}{10}\large(-2i \sin(\frac{3 \pi}{10})-2i \sin(\frac{\pi}{10})+i\large)

\oint_R \frac{z^2}{1+z^{10}}dz=\int^{(r,0)}_{(-r,0)} \frac {z^2}{1+z^{10}}dz+\int _{arc} \frac {z^2}{1+z^{10}}dz=2 \pi i \times SumResidues

\therefore \int^{(r,0)}_{(-r,0)} \frac {z^2}{1+z^{10}}dz+\int _{arc} \frac {z^2}{1+z^{10}}dz=\frac {2 \pi i}{10}\large(-2i \sin(\frac{3 \pi}{10})-2i \sin(\frac{\pi}{10})+i\large)

\therefore \int^{(r,0)}_{(-r,0)} \frac {z^2}{1+z^{10}}dz+\int _{arc} \frac {z^2}{1+z^{10}}dz=\frac {\pi }{5}\large(2 \sin(\frac{3 \pi}{10})+2 \sin(\frac{\pi}{10})-1\large)

Now taking the limit as r goes to infinity:

\therefore \int^{\infty}_{-\infty} \frac {x^2}{1+x^{10}}dx+\int _{arc} \frac {1}{z^{8}}=\frac {\pi }{5}\large(2 \sin(\frac{3 \pi}{10})+2 \sin(\frac{\pi}{10})-1\large)

\therefore \int^{\infty}_{-\infty} \frac {x^2}{1+x^{10}}dx=\frac {\pi }{5}\large(2 \sin(\frac{3 \pi}{10})+2 \sin(\frac{\pi}{10})-1\large)

And finally using the fact that the integrand is an even function:

\therefore \int^{\infty}_{0} \frac {x^2}{1+x^{10}}dx=\frac {\pi }{10}\large(2 \sin(\frac{3 \pi}{10})+2 \sin(\frac{\pi}{10})-1\large)
 

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