English

Elliptic integral identities derived from Coxeter's integrals

Classical Analysis and ODEs 2026-03-06 v1

Abstract

We revisit the classical integrals introduced by Coxeter, not to recalculate their well-known exact values, but to use them as a tool to derive elliptic integral identities. By embedding Coxeter's first integral into a one-parameter family I(λ)=0π/2arccos ⁣(cosθ1+λcosθ)dθ, I(\lambda)=\int_{0}^{\pi/2} \arccos\!\left(\frac{\cos\theta}{1+\lambda\cos\theta}\right)\,d\theta, and differentiating with respect to the parameter λ\lambda, we show that the derivative I(λ)I'(\lambda) can be expressed as an elliptic-type integral. Integrating I(λ)I'(\lambda) between 0 and 2 yields the identity 020π/2cos2θ(1+scosθ)(1+scosθ)2cos2θdθds=AB=π212, \int_0^2 \int_0^{\pi/2} \frac{\cos^2\theta} {(1+s\cos\theta)\sqrt{(1+s\cos\theta)^2-\cos^2\theta}} \,d\theta\, ds=A-B=\frac{\pi^2}{12}, where AA and BB are the first two so-called Coxeter integrals A=0π/2arccos ⁣(cosθ1+2cosθ)dθ, A = \int_0^{\pi/2} \arccos\!\left(\frac{\cos\theta}{1+2\cos\theta}\right) d\theta, and B=0π/2arccos ⁣(11+2cosθ)dθ. B = \int_0^{\pi/2} \arccos\!\left(\frac{1}{1+2\cos\theta}\right) d\theta. The derivative I(λ)I'(\lambda) can be expressed in terms of incomplete elliptic integrals of the first kind FF and of the third kind Π\Pi. This approach establishes a direct connection between classical Coxeter integrals and elliptic functions. The method highlights how well-known trigonometric integrals can serve as a bridge to explore properties and relations of elliptic integrals, offering new analytic insights beyond the original Coxeter evaluations.

Cite

@article{arxiv.2603.04637,
  title  = {Elliptic integral identities derived from Coxeter's integrals},
  author = {Jean-Christophe Pain},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2603.04637},
  year   = {2026}
}
R2 v1 2026-07-01T11:04:01.452Z