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Re: Integral giving complex answer

  • To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
  • Subject: [mg59280] Re: [mg59251] Integral giving complex answer
  • From: Pratik Desai <pdesai1 at umbc.edu>
  • Date: Thu, 4 Aug 2005 02:08:02 -0400 (EDT)
  • References: <200508030519.BAA06368@smc.vnet.net>
  • Sender: owner-wri-mathgroup at wolfram.com

David Sagan wrote:

>Hello:
>
>I am tring to do simple integrals but I am running into problems in that 
>Mathematica gives the answer using complex numbers. For example, 
>Integrate[1/(1 + 5x^2), x] gives a result in terms of logarithms of a 
>complex argument instead of the usual arctan formula. If I integrate 
>something like Integrate[1/(1 + a x^2), x] I get the answer in the form 
>I want using the arctan.
>
>My question is how to avoid getting the answer to Integrate[1/(1 + 
>5x^2), x] in terms of complex logarithms. I know I could just integrate 
>1/(1 + a x^2) and substitute a -> 5 later but in actuality I am dealing 
>with more complex integrals and it would be helpful if I did not have to 
>be making such substitutions.
>
>            -- Thanks for any help, David Sagan
>
>  
>
I works fine on my Ver 5.1.1.0 Win Xp
Integrate[1/(1 + 5x^2), x]
 >>\!\(ArcTan[\@5\ x]\/\@5\)

Try reloading with a fresh kernel

Best regards


-- 
Pratik Desai
Graduate Student
UMBC
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Phone: 410 455 8134



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