What Does the Integral Evaluate To?

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  • Thread starter Euge
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    2017
In summary, the POTW, or Problem of the Week, is a weekly challenge that presents a specific problem related to a subject or topic. It is created by a team of experts and scientists and aims to stimulate critical thinking and problem-solving skills in individuals, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Participation is open to anyone with the necessary knowledge and skills, and the prize for solving the POTW varies depending on the organization or institution.
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Euge
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Here's this week's POTW:

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Determine the value of the definite integral

$$\int_0^\infty \frac{dt}{(1+t^2)t^{1/2}}$$-----

Remember to read the http://www.mathhelpboards.com/showthread.php?772-Problem-of-the-Week-%28POTW%29-Procedure-and-Guidelines to find out how to http://www.mathhelpboards.com/forms.php?do=form&fid=2!
 
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  • #2
Congratulations to Opalg for his correct solution. Honorable mention goes to fatimarose23. Here is Opalg's solution.
Substitute $s = t^{1/2}$, so that $t=s^2$ and $dt = 2s\,ds$. Then $$\int_0^\infty \frac{dt}{(1+t^2)t^{1/2}} = \int_0^\infty \frac{2s}{(1+s^4)s}ds = \int_0^\infty \frac{2}{(1+s^4)}ds.$$ To evaluate \(\displaystyle J = \int_0^\infty \frac{2}{(1+s^4)}ds\) by contour integration, use a contour consisting of the interval $[0,R]$, a quarter-circle from $R$ to $iR$ and then back down the imaginary axis to the origin (and then let $R\to\infty$). The integral of $\dfrac2{1+z^4}$ along the positive real axis is just $J$, the integral round the quarter-circle goes to $0$, and the integral down the imaginary axis is $-iJ$. So the integral round the whole contour is $(1-i)J.$

The only singularity inside the contour is at the fourth root of $-1$ at $z_0 = \dfrac{1+i}{\sqrt2}$. The residue there is $\dfrac2{4z^3}$ evaluated at $z_0$, namely $\dfrac{\sqrt2}{2(-1+i)}.$ So Cauchy's theorem tells us that $(1-i)J = \dfrac{2\pi i\sqrt2}{2(-1+i)}$. Therefore $$J = \frac{\pi i\sqrt2}{- (1-i)^2} = \frac{\pi i\sqrt2}{2i} = \frac{\pi}{\sqrt2}.$$
 

FAQ: What Does the Integral Evaluate To?

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