4
$\begingroup$

Are there any hyperelliptic generalizations of the following formula, first proved by Euler in 1782, $$\int\limits_0^1\frac{dx}{\sqrt{1-x^4}}\int\limits_0^1\frac{x^2\,dx}{\sqrt{1-x^4}}=\frac{\pi}{4}\,?$$

I found the formula in https://www.maa.org/sites/default/files/pdf/upload_library/22/Ford/Almkvist-Berndt585-608.pdf (Gauss, Landen, Ramanujan, the Arithmetic-Geometric Mean, Ellipses, $\pi$, and the Ladies Diary, by Gert Almkvist and Bruce Berndt).

$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

1
$\begingroup$

I found the answer in http://retro.seals.ch/digbib/view?pid=elemat-001:2000:55::180 (A Property of Euler's Elastic Curve, by V.H. Moll, P.A. Neill, J.L. Nowalsky and L. Solanilla) where a Euler-type proof is given that $$\int\limits_0^1\frac{dx}{\sqrt{1-x^{2n}}} \int\limits_0^1\frac{x^n\,dx}{\sqrt{1-x^{2n}}}=\frac{\pi}{2n}.$$ A simpler proof (suggested as an exercise 1.2.2 in Vladimir Tkachev's lectures "Elliptic functions: Introduction course" http://www.mai.liu.se/~vlatk48/papers/lect2-agm.pdf ) can be given by using Euler’s beta-function $$B(\alpha,\beta)=\int\limits_0^1(1-t)^{\alpha-1}t^{\beta-1}\,dt=\frac{\Gamma(\alpha)\Gamma(\beta)}{\Gamma(\alpha+\beta)}.$$ Indeed, after substitution $$x=t^\frac{1}{2n},$$ we get $$\int\limits_0^1\frac{dx}{\sqrt{1-x^{2n}}}=\frac{1}{2n}B\left(\frac{1}{2},\frac{1}{2n}\right)=\frac{1}{2n}\,\frac{\Gamma\left(\frac{1}{2}\right) \Gamma\left(\frac{1}{2n}\right)}{\Gamma\left(\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{2n}\right)},$$ and $$\int\limits_0^1\frac{x^n\,dx}{\sqrt{1-x^{2n}}}=\frac{1}{2n}B\left(\frac{1}{2},\frac{1}{2n}+\frac{1}{2}\right)= \frac{1}{2n}\,\frac{\Gamma\left(\frac{1}{2}\right) \Gamma\left(\frac{1}{2n}+\frac{1}{2}\right)}{\Gamma\left(1+\frac{1}{2n}\right)}.$$ But $$\Gamma\left(1+\frac{1}{2n}\right)=\frac{1}{2n}\Gamma\left(\frac{1}{2n}\right)$$ and we get $$\int\limits_0^1\frac{dx}{\sqrt{1-x^{2n}}} \int\limits_0^1\frac{x^n\,dx}{\sqrt{1-x^{2n}}}=\frac{\Gamma\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^2}{2n}=\frac{\pi}{2n}.$$

$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.