Epistemic Complexity of the Mathematical Object “Integral”

The literature in mathematics education identifies a traditional formal mechanistic-type paradigm in Integral Calculus teaching which is focused on the content to be taught but not on how to teach it. Resorting to the history of the genesis of knowledge makes it possible to identify variables in the mathematical content of the curriculum that have a positive influence on the appropriation of the notions and procedures of calculus, enabling a particularised way of teaching. Objective: The objective of this research was to characterise the anthology of the integral seen from the epistemic complexity that composes it based on historiography. Design: The modelling of epistemic complexity for the definite integral was considered, based on the theoretical construct “epistemic configuration”. Analysis and results: Formalising this complexity revealed logical keys and epistemological elements in the process of the theoretical constitution that reflected epistemological ruptures which, in the organisation of the information, gave rise to three periods for the integral. The characterisation of this complexity and the connection of its components were used to design a process of teaching the integral that was applied to three groups of university students. The implementation showed that a paradigm shift in the teaching process is possible, allowing students to develop mathematical competencies.

A Quadruple Definite Integral Expressed in Terms of the Lerch Function

A quadruple integral involving the logarithmic, exponential and polynomial functions is derived in terms of the Lerch function. Special cases of this integral are evaluated in terms of special functions and fundamental constants. Almost all Lerch functions have an asymmetrical zero-distribution. The majority of the results in this work are new.

Definite Integral Involving Rational Functions of Powers and Exponentials Expressed in Terms of the Lerch Function

This paper gives new integrals related to a class of special functions. This paper also showcases the derivation of definite integrals involving the quotient of functions with powers and the exponential function expressed in terms of the Lerch function and special cases involving fundamental constants. The goal of this paper is to expand upon current tables of definite integrals with the aim of assisting researchers in need of new integral formulae.

Definite Integral of Power and Algebraic Functions in terms of the Lerch Function

Bierens de haan (1867) evaluated a definite integral involving the cotangent function and this result was also listed in Gradshteyn and Ryzhik (2007). The objective of this present note is to use this integral along with Cauchy's integral formula to derive a definite logarithmic integral in terms of the Lerch function. We will use this integral formula to produce a table of known and new results in terms of special functions and thereby expanding the list of definite integrals in both text books.

Note on a Stieltjes Transform in terms of the Lerch Function

In this work the authors derive the Stieltjes transform of the logarithmic function in terms of the Lerch function. This transform is used to derive closed form solutions involving fundamental constants and special functions. Specifically we derive the definite integral given by\[\int_{0}^{\infty} \frac{(1-b x)^m \log ^k(c (1-b x))+(b x+1)^m \log ^k(c (b x+1))}{a+x^2}dx\]where $a,b,c,m$ and $k$ are general complex numbers subject to the restrictions given in connection with the formulas.

A Note on the Definite Integral of the Lerch Function

This is a compilation of definite integrals involving the Lerch, Polylogarithm, Hurwitz functions and fundamental constants. Connections to previous work is compared and discussed. This collection of definite integrals is new in current literature.