Integral Evaluations Using the Gamma and Beta Functions and Elliptic Integrals in Engineering: A Self-Study Approach

For the evaluation of many integrals, the Euler’s gamma and beta functions and the complete elliptic integrals are among the most useful functions in engineering, physics, and probability. The gamma and beta functions are also used for the generalization of many integrals and in the definition of other special functions, such as the Bessel, Legendre, and hypergeometric functions. This book illustrates how the properties of these functions may be used for integral evaluation. In addition, it demonstrates how these functions may be used to eliminate the long and tedious traditional methods of integral evaluation for many integrals. The methods presented are especially valuable because many integrals cannot be evaluated in terms of the elementary functions, but can be evaluated in terms of the gamma function or in terms of the complete elliptic integrals. Integral Evaluations can be used as a self-study book, textbook, supplemental textbook, or reference book. In a step-by-step format, it shows how to use the gamma and beta functions and complete elliptic integrals to evaluate, easily and with a high degree of accuracy, many integrals used in engineering work.Paperback reissue 2013. Previously published in 2005 under ISBN 1-57146-158-2 (paperback).