Re: Reasonably Simple Integral Mathematica Apparently Can't Do
- To: mathgroup@smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg12266] Re: Reasonably Simple Integral Mathematica Apparently Can't Do
- From: Bill Bertram <wkb@ansto.gov.au>
- Date: Tue, 5 May 1998 03:30:01 -0400
- Organization: ANSTO
- References: <6ibvik$fh@smc.vnet.net>
AES wrote:
>
> Integral that arises in laser Q-switching theory:
>
> Integrate[1/(y*(r-y-Log[r/y])),y]
>
If this is a "reasonably simple" integral then why not tell us the
answer? The reason mathematica didn't provide an answer is probably
that the integral has no closed form in terms of standard functions.
There are many simple looking inegrals that don't have closed analytic
forms. Many occur frequently enough to have been given special names,
eg the exponential integrals, Sine integrals etc. Cheers,
Bill