Integral of $\sqrt{\frac{x^2+1}{x^2-1}}$

In summary: The obvious implication is that the elliptic integral must be imaginary. But by its definition I don't think that the elliptic integral can be anything but real?Mommy! My brain hurts. Give me a hug. (Hug)
  • #1
juantheron
247
1
$\displaystyle \int\sqrt{\frac{x^2+1}{x^2-1}}dx$
 
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  • #2
Mathematica says this doesn't have a solution in terms of elementary functions for what it's worth.
 
  • #3
Never mind. I was thinking backwards.

-Dan

Since Jameson had already thanked me I should quickly mention what went wrong with my original post.

I was thinking that even if the definite elliptic integral might not have closed form, it was possible that an indefinite elliptic integral might have a closed form solution. On second thought I decided this was wrong.

-Dan
 
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  • #4
(sigh) I can't get this thing out of my mind and I keep thinking in circles. This'll be my last post on the topic. I promise!

Okay, to be specific about the beef I originally had with this problem is that Mathematica says this is an elliptic integral of the second kind. But elliptic integrals are definite integrals. Is it possible that this indefinite integral might have a closed form solution even though the definite integral does not.

-Dan
 
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  • #5
topsquark said:
(sigh) I can't get this thing out of my mind and I keep thinking in circles. This'll be my last post on the topic. I promise!

Okay, to be specific about the beef I originally had with this problem is that Mathematica says this is an elliptic integral of the second kind. But elliptic integrals are definite integrals. Is it possible that this indefinite integral might have a closed form solution even though the definite integral does not.

-Dan

If the indefinite integral has a closed form in terms of elementary functions, so does any definite integral with the same integrand (since the definite integral is just the difference of the indefinite evaluated at the end point on the interval of integration).

CB
 
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  • #6
Setting $\displaystyle x= \cos t$ the integral becomes...

$\displaystyle i\ \int \sqrt{1+\cos^{2} t}\ dt = i\ \sqrt{2}\ \text{E}\ (t|\frac{1}{2}) + c$

... where 'E' is an elliptic integral of the second kind and i is the imaginary unit...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
  • #7
That's very interesting the results supplied by 'Monster Wolfram'...

Wolfram Mathematica Online Integrator

Apart the 'odd identities'...$\displaystyle \frac{\sqrt{x^{2}+1}}{\sqrt{x^{2}+1}}=1$

$\displaystyle \frac{\sqrt{1-x^{2}}}{\sqrt{x^{2}-1}}=i$

... the result seems to be...

$\displaystyle \int \sqrt{\frac{x^{2}+1}{x^{2}-1}}\ dx = i\ \text{E}\ (\sin^{-1} x|-1) + c $ (1)

... and also in this case the imaginary unit appears... what's Your opinion about that?... Kind regards $\chi$ $\sigma$
 
  • #8
chisigma said:
That's very interesting the results supplied by 'Monster Wolfram'...

Wolfram Mathematica Online Integrator

Apart the 'odd identities'...$\displaystyle \frac{\sqrt{x^{2}+1}}{\sqrt{x^{2}+1}}=1$

$\displaystyle \frac{\sqrt{1-x^{2}}}{\sqrt{x^{2}-1}}=i$

... the result seems to be...

$\displaystyle \int \sqrt{\frac{x^{2}+1}{x^{2}-1}}\ dx = i\ \text{E}\ (\sin^{-1} x|-1) + c $ (1)

... and also in this case the imaginary unit appears... what's Your opinion about that?... Kind regards $\chi$ $\sigma$
The obvious implication is that the elliptic integral must be imaginary. But by its definition I don't think that the elliptic integral can be anything but real?

Mommy! My brain hurts. Give me a hug. (Hug)

-Dan
 
  • #9
jacks said:
$\displaystyle \int\sqrt{\frac{x^2+1}{x^2-1}}dx$
Notice that the denominator of the fraction is negative unless $|x|>1$. So you should only expect to get a real value for the integral if you avoid the interval [-1,1]. In particular, the substitution $x=\cos t$ implicitly assumes that $|x|\leqslant1$ and hence inevitably leads to a non-real answer.

To put it another way, the domain of the integrand (as a real-valued function) excludes the interval [-1,1]. Outside that interval, the integral presumably has some sort of real-valued expression in terms of elliptic functions.
 
  • #10
What Opalg told is of course 'all right', so that I have to clarify the 'little mystery'. The integral produce a real function only if is |x|>1 and in that case one have to write...

$\displaystyle x= \cos t \implies x= \cosh (i\ t) \implies t=-i\ \cosh^{-1} x$ (1)

...and for |x|>1 the final result is...

$\displaystyle \int \sqrt{\frac{x^{2}+1}{x^{2}-1}}\ dx = i\ \sqrt{2}\ \text{E}\ (-i\ \cosh^{-1} x |\frac{1}{2}) + c$ (2)

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 

FAQ: Integral of $\sqrt{\frac{x^2+1}{x^2-1}}$

What is the integral of $\sqrt{\frac{x^2+1}{x^2-1}}$?

The integral of $\sqrt{\frac{x^2+1}{x^2-1}}$ is a mathematical expression that represents the area under the curve of the function $\sqrt{\frac{x^2+1}{x^2-1}}$ between two points on the x-axis.

Why is the integral of $\sqrt{\frac{x^2+1}{x^2-1}}$ important?

The integral of $\sqrt{\frac{x^2+1}{x^2-1}}$ has many applications in various fields of science and engineering. It is used to calculate the total displacement, velocity, and acceleration of an object over a given time period. It is also used in calculating the work done by a variable force and the total energy of a system.

What are the steps to solve the integral of $\sqrt{\frac{x^2+1}{x^2-1}}$?

The steps to solve the integral of $\sqrt{\frac{x^2+1}{x^2-1}}$ are as follows:

  1. Use the substitution method to simplify the integrand.
  2. Use the power rule to integrate the simplified expression.
  3. Apply the limits of integration to the integrated expression.
  4. Simplify the resulting expression to get the final answer.

Can the integral of $\sqrt{\frac{x^2+1}{x^2-1}}$ be solved using other methods?

Yes, the integral of $\sqrt{\frac{x^2+1}{x^2-1}}$ can also be solved using other methods such as integration by parts, trigonometric substitution, and partial fractions. However, the substitution method is the most commonly used method for solving this integral.

Are there any special cases when solving the integral of $\sqrt{\frac{x^2+1}{x^2-1}}$?

Yes, when the limits of integration are infinite, or when the limits are not defined, the integral of $\sqrt{\frac{x^2+1}{x^2-1}}$ may yield an infinite or undefined result. In such cases, the integral is said to be improper, and special techniques must be used to solve it.

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