Evaluate $\int_0^\pi\frac{1}{1+(\tan x)^\sqrt2}\ dx$

Indeed this was a Putnam question. The $\sqrt{2}$ is pretty much irrelevant. Notice

$$I=\int_0^\pi\frac{dx}{1+\tan(x)^{\sqrt2}}=\int_\pi^0\frac{d(\frac{\pi}{2}-u)}{1+(\tan(\frac{\pi}{2}-u))^{\sqrt2}}=\int_0^\pi\frac{du}{1+\cot(u)^{\sqrt2}}$$

and

$$\frac{1}{1+\tan(x)^{\sqrt2}}=\frac{\cos(x)^{\sqrt2}}{\cos(x)^{\sqrt2}+\sin(x)^{\sqrt2}},\qquad\frac{1}{1+\cot(u)^{\sqrt2}}=\frac{\sin(u)^{\sqrt2}}{\sin(u)^{\sqrt2}+\cos(u)^{\sqrt2}}.$$

so

$$2I=\int_0^\pi\frac{dv}{1+\tan(v)^{\sqrt2}}+\int_0^\pi\frac{dv}{1+\cot(u)^{\sqrt2}}$$

$$=\int_0^\pi\left[\frac{\cos(v)^{\sqrt2}}{\cos(v)^{\sqrt2}+\sin(v)^{\sqrt2}}+\frac{\sin(v)^{\sqrt2}}{\sin(v)^{\sqrt2}+\cos(v)^{\sqrt2}}\right]dv=\int_0^\pi\frac{\cos(v)^{\sqrt2}+\sin(v)^{\sqrt2}}{\cos(v)^{\sqrt2}+\sin(v)^{\sqrt2}}dv $$

which is $\int_0^\pi1dv=\pi$. Ultimately, this is a symmetry argument.


This is a Putnam problem from years ago. There is no Calc I solution of which I'm aware. You need to put a parameter (new variable) in place of $\sqrt 2$ and then differentiate the resulting function of the parameter (this is usually called "differentiating under the integral sign"). Most students don't even learn this in Calc III!