How do I solve for the integral of x^2 / (2x+2) without decomposition?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral of the function \(\frac{x^2}{2x+2}\), which falls under the subject area of calculus, specifically integration techniques. Participants are exploring methods to solve this integral without using decomposition.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts various methods including integration by parts and polynomial long division. Some participants question the appropriateness of using partial fractions due to the degree of the numerator being greater than that of the denominator.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some offering guidance on using polynomial long division as a necessary first step. There is a recognition of the need to clarify assumptions about the methods applicable to the integral.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of constraints regarding the proper form of fractions for decomposition, as well as the original poster's self-identified gap in calculus knowledge after a two-year hiatus.

r16
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It has been about 2 years since i last did calculus but I am trying to get back into it so I am ready for college / don't kill myself because of boredom

I am having difficulty finding integrals of the form
\int{\frac{x^2}{x+a}dx}

This integral inparticular is:
\int{{\frac{x^2}{2x+2}dx}

I couldn't find a u or a du that would work

I then tried to decompose the fraction to \frac{x^2}{2x+2} = \frac{A}{2} + \frac{B}{x+1} but could't solve for A, which makes sense, so that won't work.

Next i tied integration by parts
\int{vdu} = uv - \int{udv}

where i used u=.5 ln|2x+2|,du=(2x+2)^{-1},v=x^2[/itex],dv=2x.<br /> <br /> then<br /> <br /> \int{\frac{x^2}{2x+2}dx} = .5x^2 ln |2x+2| - \int{ln |2x+2|xdx}<br /> <br /> for the second integral I have:<br /> u=.5x^2,du=xdx,v=ln |2x+2| [/itex],dv=2(2x+2)^{-1}.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; where&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; \int{ x ln|2x+2| dx} = .5x^2 ln |2x+2| - \int{\frac{x^2}{2x+2}dx}&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; and finally both sides cancel out:&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; \int{\frac{x^2}{2x+2}dx} = .5x^2 ln |2x+2| - .5x^2 ln |2x+2| +\int{\frac{x^2}{2x+2}dx}&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; \int{\frac{x^2}{2x+2}dx} = \int{\frac{x^2}{2x+2}dx}&lt;br /&gt; &lt;br /&gt; Ive checked the trig rules as well as the inverse trig rules and no other rules match. Does an integral for this function not exsist or am I missing something?
 
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When you are integrating a fraction, of which the degree in the numerator is greater than or equal to the degree of the denominator, one should use Polynomial Long Division first, then use Partial Fraction.
I'll give you an example:
Say, you want to integrate:
\int \frac{x ^ 2}{x + 1} dx
The degree in the numerator is 2, which is greater than the degree of the denominator 1. So we should use Polynomial Long Division first to get:
\int \frac{x ^ 2}{x + 1} dx = \int \left( x - 1 + \frac{1}{x + 1} \right) dx = \int (x - 1) dx + \int \frac{dx}{x + 1}
From here, we can use the substitution u = x + 1 to solve the second integral. So the result is:
\int \frac{x ^ 2}{x + 1} dx = \int (x - 1) dx + \int \frac{dx}{x + 1} = \frac{x ^ 2}{2} - x + \ln |x + 1| + C.
Ok, can you get this? :)
Can you go from here? :)
 
Last edited:
r16 said:
It has been about 2 years since i last did calculus but I am trying to get back into it so I am ready for college / don't kill myself because of boredom

I am having difficulty finding integrals of the form
\int{\frac{x^2}{x+a}dx}

This integral inparticular is:
\int{{\frac{x^2}{2x+2}dx}

I couldn't find a u or a du that would work

I then tried to decompose the fraction to \frac{x^2}{2x+2} = \frac{A}{2} + \frac{B}{x+1} but could't solve for A, which makes sense, so that won't work.
?? Partial fractions requires "proper" fractions- that is, that the numerator has lower dimension than the denominator. In this case, you need to divide first.
\frac{x^2}{2x+2}= \frac{1}{2}x- \frac{1}{2}- \frac{\frac{1}{2}}{x+1}}

That should be easy to integrate.
 
polynomial long division rings a bell, i completely forgout about it. I am good from there
 
i didnt know the stipulation about decomposing the fraction, but that makes sense. thanks!
 

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