A What is the relationship between cos(cosx) and Bessel functions?

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The discussion revolves around solving the definite integral from -2π to 2π of the function involving sine and cosine terms, particularly focusing on the integral of cos(2cos(x)). Participants explore various methods, including contour integration and numerical approaches, to evaluate the integral. It is noted that the function cos(cos(x)) relates to Bessel functions, highlighting an interesting connection between trigonometric integrals and special functions. The conversation also touches upon the periodic nature of the cosine function and the implications for integration. Ultimately, the relationship between cos(cos(x)) and Bessel functions is emphasized as a significant finding in the discussion.
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Hi everyone, my friend challenged me to solve this definite integral...integral from -2pi to 2pi ((sin(2sinx)+cos(2cosx))dx, i proved by using definite integral properties that this integral equals to integral from -2pi to 2pi cos(2cosx)dx, can you give me any ideas how to solve this?? I know that i can use the contour integration but how??
 
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Note that cosine oscillates between -1 and 1, but you are taking cosine of 2cos, so you are taking cosine of a function which oscillates between -2 and +2. Since cosine is even, cos(x) is the same as cos(-x) so this new function has a period of pi, rather than 2pi. Analytically how to integrate cosine of cosine, I am not sure. You could do it numerically, for sure.
 
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Since it still has the shape of a cosine wave, just shifted up and scaled down, you should be able to rewrite it as something like A*cos(2*x) + B, where A and B are constants to be determined (by the max and min), then integrate that over 1 period, then do for how many periods in your range.
 
$$I = -4 \pi + 8 \int_{0}^{\pi}cos^2(cos(x))\, dx$$
and with Diff Under the Integral Sign we can get the ODE
$$\frac{\partial }{\partial a}\left ( \int_{0}^{\pi}cos^2(cos(ax))\, dx \right )=\frac{1-\pi\, sin^2(cos(a\pi))}{a}\, -\, \frac{1}{a} \int_{0}^{\pi}cos^2(cos(ax))\, dx$$
then you can solve for
$$\int_{0}^{\pi}cos^2(cos(ax))\, dx$$
and set a=1
 
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Ammmmm, I understand what you did, but please if you have the final answer give it to me...and thanks
 
Emmanuel_Euler said:
Ammmmm, I understand what you did, but please if you have the final answer give it to me...and thanks
wolfram alpha is your friend
 
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DrClaude said:
You made an error somewhere, since the answer is not the same as http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=integral+-2pi+to+2pi+cos(2+cos(x))

No the answer is right, 8 integral from(0>pi) (cos(cosx))^2-4pi=wolframalpha answer.
Ammmm the answer of the previous integral is given in terms of bessel function...interesting!
So there's a relationship between them...
 
I am not sure exactly where the cos²(cos(ax)) came from either. Cos(2u) is equal to cos²(u) - sin²(u) or 2cos²(u) - 1
 
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Emmanuel_Euler said:
No the answer is right, 8 integral from(0>pi) (cos(cosx))^2-4pi=wolframalpha answer.
Ammmm the answer of the previous integral is given in terms of bessel function...interesting!
So there's a relationship between them...
\cos(\cos(x)) is the real part of e^{ikr} which is the definition of the Bessel function...
 

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