Complex analysis - evaluate integral

In summary, the integral in question is $\displaystyle \int_{0}^{2\pi} \! \frac{1}{(2 + \cos \theta)^2} \mathrm{d} \theta$, and there are multiple ways to solve it, including using Wolfram Alpha, using complex analysis, or using magic differentiation.
  • #1
matteoit81
2
0
Hi all,

I need to evaluate this integral

anybody could point me to a solution?
I've tried to look around (google, books), but I found no clue to solve it

I wrote it in latex

$\displaystyle \int_0^{2\pi} \! \frac{1}{(2 + \cos \theta)^2} \mathrm{d} \theta$

Thanks for the help,
matteo
 
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  • #2
matteoit81 said:
Hi all,

I need to evaluate this integral

anybody could point me to a solution?
I've tried to look around (google, books), but I found no clue to solve it

I wrote it in latex

$\displaystyle \int_0^{2\pi} \! \frac{1}{(2 + \cos \theta)^2} \mathrm{d} \theta$

Thanks for the help,
matteo

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=integral[1/(2+Cos[x])]

Click Show Steps.
 
  • #3
Thank for the fast rea\ply. I didn't know about mathematica website, very useful! :-)

There is just one "problem"

I read the solution of the integral and it is complete but way too complicated...
this one is a typical proposed exercise of complex analysis course and I don't think we are supposed to evaluate it in this way

the course topics are related to taylor/laurent series or residue calculus

is there any easier way to compute the defined integral?
 
  • #4
Prove It said:
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=integral[1%2F(2%2BCos[x])]

Click Show Steps.

Unfortunatly that is not the integral asked for. It will offer up a steps for the correct integral, but the OPs objection is at least as valid for that.

CB
 
  • #5
matteoit81 said:
Thank for the fast rea\ply. I didn't know about mathematica website, very useful! :-)

There is just one "problem"

I read the solution of the integral and it is complete but way too complicated...
this one is a typical proposed exercise of complex analysis course and I don't think we are supposed to evaluate it in this way

the course topics are related to taylor/laurent series or residue calculus

is there any easier way to compute the defined integral?

... and there is one more minor problem: the integral to be computed is...

$\displaystyle \int_{0}^{2 \pi} \frac{d\ \theta}{(2+\cos \theta)^{2}}$ (1)

... where the denominator is squared and not $\displaystyle \int_{0}^{2 \pi} \frac{d\ \theta}{2+\cos \theta}$!...

The standard procedure to compute an integral like (1) using complex analysis is to set $\displaystyle z=e^{i\ \theta} \implies \cos \theta= \frac{z+z^{-1}}{2}\ ,\ d \theta= -i\ \frac{d z}{z}$, so that the integral becomes...

$\displaystyle \int_{0}^{2 \pi} \frac{d\ \theta}{(2+\cos \theta)^{2}}= -16\ i\ \int_{C} \frac {z}{z^{4}+8 z^{3} + 18 z^{2} +8 z +1}\ dz$ (2)

... where C is the unit circle [a circle centered in z=0 and with radious 1...]. The f(z) in (2) has a pair of poles with multiplicity 2 in $\displaystyle z_{1}= -2 -\sqrt{3}$ and $z_{2}= -2+\sqrt{3}$ and only the last is inside the unit circle. Applying the Cauchy integral theorem the (2) is $\displaystyle I= 2\ \pi\ i\ r_{1}$ where...

$\displaystyle r_{1}= \lim_{z \rightarrow z_{2}}\frac{d}{dz}\ \{ f(z)\ (z-z_{2})^{2} \}= -16\ i\ \lim_{z \rightarrow z_{2}} \frac{d}{dz} \frac{z}{(z+2+\sqrt{3})^{2}}$ (3)

The details of computation are tedious but not too difficult and are left to 'Matteo'...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
  • #6
Two words: 'magic differentiation'. Define:

$ \begin{aligned}I(\lambda) & :=\int_{0}^{2\pi}\frac{1}{\lambda+a\cos{x}}\;{dx} \\& =\int_{0}^{2\pi}\frac{1}{\lambda\left(\sin^{2} \frac{1}{2}x+\cos^{2} \frac{1}{2}x\right)+a\left(\cos^{2} \frac{1}{2}x-\sin^{2}\frac{1}{2}x\right)}\;{dx}\\& =\int_{0}^{2\pi}\frac{1}{( \lambda-a)\sin^{2}\frac{1}{2}x+(\lambda+a)\cos^{2} \frac{1}{2} x}\;{dx}\\& =\int_{0}^{2\pi}\frac{\sec^{2}{\frac{1}{2}x}}{( \lambda+a)+( \lambda-a)\tan^{2}\frac{1}{2}x}\;{dx}\\& = 4\int_{0}^{\infty}\frac{1}{( \lambda+a)+(\lambda-a)t^{2}}\;{dt}\\& = 4\int_{0}^{\infty}\frac{1}{(\sqrt{\lambda+a})^{2}+(\sqrt{\lambda-a})^{2}t^{2}}\;{dt}\\& =\frac{4}{{\sqrt{\lambda^{2}-a^{2}}}}\tan^{-1}\bigg(\frac{\sqrt{\lambda-a}}{\sqrt{\lambda+a}}~t\bigg)\bigg|_{0}^{\infty}\\& =\frac{2\pi}{\sqrt{\lambda^{2}-a^{2}}}.\end{aligned} $

But $\displaystyle I'(\lambda) =-\int_{0}^{2\pi}\frac{1}{(\lambda+a\cos{x})^{2}}\;{dx} $, thus:

$ \displaystyle \int_{0}^{2\pi}\frac{1}{(\lambda+a\cos{x})^{2}}\;{dx}=\frac{2\lambda\pi}{\sqrt{(\lambda^{2}-a^{2})^{3}}}. $
 

FAQ: Complex analysis - evaluate integral

What is complex analysis and how is it different from real analysis?

Complex analysis is a branch of mathematics that deals with the study of complex numbers and functions. It is different from real analysis in that it focuses on functions of a complex variable, which involves both real and imaginary parts, while real analysis deals with functions of a real variable.

What is an integral in complex analysis?

In complex analysis, an integral is a mathematical concept that represents the area under a curve in the complex plane. It is similar to the concept of integration in real analysis, but it involves complex numbers and complex functions instead of real numbers and real functions.

How do you evaluate an integral in complex analysis?

To evaluate an integral in complex analysis, you first need to find a path in the complex plane along which the integral is defined. Then, you can use techniques such as the Cauchy integral theorem or Cauchy's integral formula to calculate the value of the integral.

What is the Cauchy integral theorem?

The Cauchy integral theorem is a fundamental theorem in complex analysis that states that the integral of a complex function over a closed path in the complex plane is equal to 0, as long as the function is analytic within the bounded region enclosed by the path.

What is the Cauchy integral formula?

The Cauchy integral formula is a powerful tool in complex analysis that allows for the calculation of complex integrals using the values of a function at points along the path of integration. It is based on the Cauchy integral theorem and can be used to evaluate integrals that are not necessarily equal to 0.

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