Sum involving pi, ln(2) and Catalan's constant

In summary, by considering the integral $\displaystyle \int_{0}^{\infty} \frac{\ln(1+x^2)}{1+x^2}\;{dx}$ and using some known results, it can be shown that $\displaystyle \sum_{k \ge 0}~\sum_{0 \le j \le k}\frac{(-1)^k}{(2k+3)(j+1)} = \frac{1}{2}\pi\ln(2)-G$, where $G$ is Catalan's constant. The series expansion of the definite integral can also be shown, but the original form without further simplification is considered more elegant.
  • #1
Sherlock1
38
0
Inspired by http://www.mathhelpboards.com/showthread.php?560-integrals thread: By considering the integral $\displaystyle \int_{0}^{\infty} \frac{\ln(1+x^2)}{1+x^2}\;{dx}$ or otherwise,
show that $\displaystyle \sum_{k \ge 0}~\sum_{0 \le j \le k}\frac{(-1)^k}{(2k+3)(j+1)} = \frac{1}{2}\pi\ln(2)-G$ where $G$ is Catalan's constant.
 
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  • #2
In another post it has been demonstrated that...

$\displaystyle \int_{0}^{\infty} \frac{\ln (1+x^{2})}{1+x^{2}}\ dx = \pi\ \ln 2$ (1)

Now with simple steps You can find that...

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

... so that is...

$\displaystyle \int_{0}^{1} \frac{\ln (1+x^{2})}{1+x^{2}}\ dx = \frac{\pi}{2}\ \ln 2 + \int_{0}^{1} \frac{\ln x}{1+x^{2}}\ dx $ (3)

Some years ago I 'discovered' that is...

$\displaystyle \int_{0}^{1} x^{n}\ \ln x\ dx = -\frac{1}{(n+1)^{2}}$ (4)

... so that is...

$\displaystyle \int_{0}^{1} \frac{\ln x}{1+x^{2}}\ dx = - \sum_{n=0}^{\infty} \frac{(-1)^{n}}{(2n+1)^{2}} = - G$ (5)

... and finally...

$\displaystyle \int_{0}^{1} \frac{\ln (1+x^{2})}{1+x^{2}}\ dx = \frac{\pi}{2}\ \ln 2 -G$ (6)

Now find the series expansion of the definite integral in (6) is perfectly possible... but in my opinion is more elegant the (6) without any more 'processing'...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
  • #3
Good job. Here's the series expansion done just for completion.

$\begin{aligned} \int_{0}^{1}\frac{\ln(1+x^2)}{1+x^2}\;{dx} & = \int_{0}^{1}\bigg(\sum_{k \ge 0}(-1)^kx^{2k}\bigg)\bigg(\sum_{k\ge 0}\frac{(-1)^kx^{2k+2}}{k+1}\bigg)\;{dx} \\& = \int_{0}^{1}\sum_{k \ge 0}~\sum_{0 \le j \le k} (-1)^{k-j}x^{2k-2j}\cdot\frac{(-1)^jx^{2j+2}}{j+1}\;{dx} \\& = \int_{0}^{1}\sum_{k \ge 0}~\sum_{0 \le j \le k} \frac{(-1)^k x^{2k+2}}{j+1}\;{dx} \\& = \sum_{k \ge 0}~\sum_{0 \le j \le k} ~\int_{0}^{1}\frac{(-1)^k x^{2k+2}}{j+1}\;{dx} \\& = \sum_{k \ge 0}~\sum_{0 \le j \le k} \frac{(-1)^k}{(j+1)(2k+3)}.\end{aligned}$
 

FAQ: Sum involving pi, ln(2) and Catalan's constant

What is the sum involving pi, ln(2) and Catalan's constant?

The sum involving pi, ln(2) and Catalan's constant is an infinite series known as the Apéry's constant, denoted by ζ(3). It is given by the equation ζ(3) = ∑(1/n^3) = 1.2020569...

Who discovered the sum involving pi, ln(2) and Catalan's constant?

The sum involving pi, ln(2) and Catalan's constant was first discovered by the Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler in the 18th century.

What is the significance of the sum involving pi, ln(2) and Catalan's constant?

The sum involving pi, ln(2) and Catalan's constant is important in mathematics as it is an example of an irrational number that can be expressed in terms of well-known mathematical constants. It also has connections to other areas of mathematics such as number theory and algebraic geometry.

How is the sum involving pi, ln(2) and Catalan's constant calculated?

The sum involving pi, ln(2) and Catalan's constant can be approximated using numerical methods, such as the Euler-Maclaurin formula or the Riemann zeta function. However, it cannot be calculated exactly as it is an infinite series.

What are some real-world applications of the sum involving pi, ln(2) and Catalan's constant?

The sum involving pi, ln(2) and Catalan's constant has applications in physics, specifically in the study of quantum field theory and the Casimir effect. It also appears in various formulas and equations in mathematics and has been used in the development of new mathematical techniques and proofs.

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