# integral involving square root using complex methods: what choice of path?

I'm asked to compute using complex methods the following integral: $$I(a)= \int_0^1 \mathrm{d}x \frac{\sqrt{1-x^2}}{x^2-a^2},$$ where $a>1.$

What I know is the following: for $|z|<1,$ the function $$\sqrt{1-z^2}=\sum_{k=0}^\infty \binom{\frac12}{k}(-)^kz^{2k}$$ is analytic; regarding the denominator, we have to worry about poles for $z=\pm a$ and at $\infty.$

My QUESTIONs are the following:

1. I'm not sure about the best choice of integration path: can anyone help?
2. morever, is it necessary to cut a branch in the square root to compute this?
3. is it possible to do this without using complex methods at all?

For 1. and 2. : make the cut along the interval $[-1,1]$ and use a closed path going once above and once below the interval; you get twice the integral you want to compute (find the result using residue theorem - you'll need to include also the residue at infinity)
• thanks, so the suggested path should pass between say 1 and $a$? – jj_p Sep 12 '13 at 6:53