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Re: Solving an integral in the limit.

  • To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
  • Subject: [mg62423] Re: [mg62389] Solving an integral in the limit.
  • From: Daniel Lichtblau <danl at wolfram.com>
  • Date: Thu, 24 Nov 2005 06:33:21 -0500 (EST)
  • References: <200511230612.BAA14091@smc.vnet.net>
  • Sender: owner-wri-mathgroup at wolfram.com

Josef Karthauser wrote:
> I'm having trouble solving a complicated integral using mathematica,
> and I'm looking for some wisdom on the matter.
> 
> The problem can be summarised as follows.  Mathematica can determine
> the solution to,
> 
>     Integrate[E^(I*x^2)/ Sqrt[1 + x^2], {x, 0, Infinity}]
> 
> but if I replace the upper bound with a free variable and take the limit
> as it goes to Infinity mathematica doesn't manage it,
> 
>     Limit[Integrate[E^(I*x^2)/ Sqrt[1 + x^2], {x, 0, a}], a -> Infinity]
> 
> Surely it should be able to determine that the answer is the same as in
> the previous case.  Is there anyway to pursuade it?
> 
> Many thanks,
> Joe

One method might be to use a rule that pulls the limit point of approach 
into the bound of the integral. The rule below will do this for the 
upper bound of integration.

In[1]:= Unprotect[Integrate];

In[2]:= Integrate /: Limit[Integrate[f_,{x_,a_,b_},opts___], b_->c_] := 
Integrate[f,{x,a,c},opts]

In[3]:= Limit[Integrate[E^(I*x^2)/ Sqrt[1 + x^2], {x, 0, a}], a -> Infinity]

Out[3]=//InputForm=
(MeijerG[{{1/4, 3/4}, {}}, {{0, 0, 1/2}, {1/2}}, 1/4] +
   I*MeijerG[{{1/4, 3/4}, {}}, {{0, 1/2, 1/2}, {0}}, 1/4])/(4*Sqrt[2]*Pi)

This relies on the good will of Integrate not to ever attempt, for 
example, an improper integral as a limit of a proper one. In such a 
scenario you'd get into infinite recursion whenever the proper one 
returned unevaluated (as happens with the example you give; fortunately 
the improper one is NOT done as a limit but instead handled directly).

I doubt this will help you with your actual problem, by the way. It's 
just a way to force recognition of a limiting case that can be handled 
directly, when the "proper" case cannot.


Daniel Lichtblau
Wolfram Research


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