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Simplify result of this definite integral

asked 2013-09-04 17:06:49 +0100

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It is well known that for $n\in\mathbb{N}$ and $n>0$ (an maybe even for more than these restrictions): $$I_n = \int_0^\infty\frac{x^n}{e^x-1}dx = \zeta(n+1)n!$$ which, analytically can be shown easily by expanding $1/(1-e^{-x})$ into a geometric series, which leads to trivial integrals, and by using $\zeta(n+1)=\sum_{l=1}^\infty l^{-(n+1)}$. So, eg.: $$I_1 = \pi^2/6$$ $$I_2 = 2\zeta(3)$$ a.s.o...

Now, if I try even the simplest case with sage, I get this 'nifty' little results

sage: integrate(x/(exp(x)-1),x,0,oo)

-1/6*pi^2 + limit(-1/2*x^2 + x*log(-e^x + 1) + polylog(2, e^x), x,
+Infinity, minus)

Is there any trick to simplify this down to the final result, or is this about as far as I can get with sage alone?

PS.: it is probably needless to say that (once again ... :( ...)

In[1]:= Integrate[x/(Exp[x] - 1), {x, 0, Infinity}]
Out[1]:= Pi^2/6
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answered 2015-08-08 10:21:43 +0100

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for an answer to this and related other questions see http://thingwy.blogspot.de/

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That's not an anwer fitting in this forum.

rws gravatar imagerws ( 2015-08-08 11:06:06 +0100 )edit

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Asked: 2013-09-04 17:06:49 +0100

Seen: 1,032 times

Last updated: Aug 08 '15