Simple Closed Analytic Formulas for the Approximation of the Legendre Complete Elliptic Integrals K(k) and E(k) (and their First Derivatives)

Abstract

Two sets of closed analytic functions are proposed for the approximate calculus of the complete elliptic integrals of the 1st and 2nd kinds in the normal form due to Legendre, their expressions having a remarkable simplicity and accuracy. The special usefulness of the newly proposed formulas consists in that they allow performing the analytic study of variation of the functions in which they appear, using the derivatives (they being expressed in terms of elementary functions only, without any special function; this would mean replacing one difficulty by another of the same kind). Comparative tables of the approximate values so obtained and the exact ones, reproduced from special functions tables are given (vs. the elliptic integrals modulus k). It is to be noticed that both sets of formulas are given neither by spline nor by regression functions, but by asymptotic expansions, the identity with the exact functions being accomplished for the left domain’s end. As for their simplicity, the formulas in k / k' do not need any mathematical table (are purely algebraic). As for their accuracy, the 2nd set, although more intricate, gives more accurate values than the 1st one and extends itself more closely to the right domain’s end.