MHB Integral Prove: $\frac {n}{n^{2} - 1}$ for $n > 1$

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The integral $$\int^{\infty}_{0}\frac {dx}{\left(x + \sqrt {1 + x^{2}}\right)^{n}}$$ for $$n > 1$$ is equal to $$\frac {n}{n^{2} - 1}$$, as posed in the Bee integration contest. Participants are tasked with proving this equality through various mathematical techniques. The discussion emphasizes the importance of rigorous proof and explores different approaches to tackle the integral. The problem has generated interest due to its complexity and relevance in advanced calculus. Engaging with this integral can enhance understanding of integration techniques and their applications.
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Prove that for $$n >1$$ we have

$$\int^{\infty}_{0}\frac {dx}{\left(x + \sqrt {1 + x^{2}}\right)^{n}} = \frac {n}{n^{2} - 1}$$​

This appeared in the Bee integration contest.
 
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$ \displaystyle \int_{0}^{\infty} \frac{1}{(x+\sqrt{1+x^{2}})^{n}} \ dx $Let $u = \sinh x $.$ \displaystyle = \int_{0}^{1} \frac{1}{(\sinh x + \cosh x)^{n}} \ \cosh x \ dx = \int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-nx} \cosh x \ dx $

$ \displaystyle = \frac{1}{2} \int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-(n-1)x} \ dx + \frac{1}{2} \int_{0}^{\infty} e^{-(n+1)x} \ dx $

$ \displaystyle = \frac{1}{2} \frac{1}{n-1} + \frac{1}{2} \frac{1}{n+1} = \frac{n}{n^{2}-1} $
 
ZaidAlyafey said:
Prove that for $$n >1$$ we have

$$\int^{\infty}_{0}\frac {dx}{\left(x + \sqrt {1 + x^{2}}\right)^{n}} = \frac {n}{n^{2} - 1}$$​

This appeared in the Bee integration contest.
Setting $\displaystyle x = \sinh t$ the integral becomes...

$\displaystyle I = \int_{0}^{\infty} \frac{\cosh t}{(\sinh t + \cosh t)^{n}}\ dt\ (1)$ ... and because is...

$\displaystyle \int \frac{\cosh t}{(\sinh t + \cosh t)^{n}}\ dt = - \frac{(\sinh t + \cosh t)^{- n}\ (n \ \cosh t + \sinh t)}{n^{2}-1}\ (2)$

... the result is immediate...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
ZaidAlyafey said:
Prove that for $$n >1$$ we have

$$\int^{\infty}_{0}\frac {dx}{\left(x + \sqrt {1 + x^{2}}\right)^{n}} = \frac {n}{n^{2} - 1}$$​

This appeared in the Bee integration contest.

Hello again! :)

Use the substitution $x+\sqrt{1+x^2}=e^t$. A bit of simplification gives $\displaystyle x=\frac{e^t-e^{-t}}{2} \Rightarrow dx=\frac{e^t+e^{-t}}{2}dt$

Hence, the integral is

$$\int_0^{\infty} \frac{e^t+e^{-t}}{2e^{nt}}dt$$

$$=\frac{1}{2}\int_0^{\infty}\left( e^{-t(n-1)}+e^{-(n+1)}\right)dt$$
Its easy to solve the above integral so I skip the steps. Solving the integral gives:

$$\frac{1}{2}\left(\frac{1}{n+1}+\frac{1}{n-1}\right)=\frac{n}{n^2-1}$$
 
Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?

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