Some oscillating integrands with small ripples (Q2638450): Difference between revisions

The author proves several far from obvious theorems about the convergence of integrals of the general form \(\int^{\infty}\{1/f(x)\}\sin x dx\), where f(x) increases to \(\infty\). For example, with a continuous f and a positive bounded g, with \(g(x)/f^ 2(x)\) decreasing, the integrals of \((\sin x)/\{f(x)+g(x)\sin x\}\) and of \(g(x)/f^ 2(x)\) converge or diverge together, and the integral of \((\sin x)/\{f(x)+\cos x\}\) converges. The introduction of a small oscillating term (``ripple'') can destroy convergence. Integrals of this kind are not mere curiosities: one of them is critical in connection with the Dirac-Hamiltonian operator in physics.