What is the Nontrivial Residue Integral for the Function sin(bx)/(e^pi x-1)?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around evaluating the integral \(\int_{0}^{\infty} \frac{\sin(bx)}{e^{\pi x}-1} dx\) using residue theory and other mathematical techniques. Participants explore various approaches to tackle this integral, including the use of Taylor series, geometric series, and the residue theorem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant references a book that presents the integral and expresses difficulty in evaluating it using the residue theorem in a rectangular domain.
  • Another participant suggests expanding the sine function into a Taylor series and using a known integral representation involving the Gamma function and the Riemann zeta function.
  • A different approach is proposed, recommending the use of a rectangular contour with a height of \(2i\) instead of \(i\) to facilitate the evaluation of the integral along the sides of the contour.
  • One participant mentions that the integral along the upper side can be expressed in terms of the integral of interest, allowing for simplification.
  • Another participant acknowledges a mistake regarding the height of the contour and expresses difficulty in finding a simple expression for the integral from \(0\) to \(2i\), while noting that Mathematica provides a result involving a cotangent function.
  • Concerns are raised about the complexity of results obtained through other methods, indicating a potential challenge for less experienced participants.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple competing approaches to evaluate the integral, and there is no consensus on a single method or solution. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the most effective technique.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the evaluation of integrals along specific contours and the complexity of results from various methods. There are indications of missing assumptions or dependencies on definitions that are not fully explored.

rpf_rr
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I found this integral in a book ("A course of modern analysis", Whittaker):
[tex]\int_{0}^{\infty} \frac{sin(bx)}{e^{\pi x}-1} dx[/tex]
I tried to use residue theorem in the rectangular domain [0,R]x[0,i], with R-> [tex]\infty[/tex] , but i couldn't do the integral in [0,i]
 
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expand the sine function into a Taylor series, and use the representation

[tex]\int_{0}^{\infty}dx (exp(x)-1)^{-1}x^{s-1} = \Gamma (s) \zeta (s)[/tex]

this should work
 
Instead of the rectangle with base [0,R], height i, use height 2i (looking at the term in the denominator, you want to move up by a full period, you'll see why). Also, don't bother trying to explicitly find the integral along the upper side.

The integral you are interested in, call it I, is the lower side of the rectangle. Express the integral along the upper side in terms of I. That way, the integral along the two horizontal sides will add to (something)I.

Alternatively, you could just expand it as a geometric series:
[tex]\frac{ \sin bx}{e^{\pi x} - 1} = \frac{ e^{-\pi x} \sin bx}{1- e^{-\pi x}} = e^{-\pi x} \sin bx + e^{-2\pi x} \sin bx + e^{-3\pi x} \sin bx + \cdots[/tex]

Those integrals are simple to do with integration by parts.
 
yes, you are right, 2i, I wrote wrong, but the problem for me is the integral "from 0 to 2i", i can't find a simple expression, while Mathematica do (only a cotangent and something like 1/p, or similar). The other methods, for me (maybe I'm not too experienced) gives too "complex" results. thanks for the answers however.
 

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