Integrate Trig Sub. Integrals: $\int \frac{\sqrt{9x^2-4}}{x}dx$

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral $\int \frac{\sqrt{9x^2-4}}{x}dx$, which involves trigonometric substitution. Participants are exploring the steps involved in solving the integral and the implications of their substitutions.

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  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of trigonometric substitution, particularly with the substitution $x = \frac{2}{3}\sec(\theta)$. There are questions regarding the integration of constants and how to express $\theta$ in terms of $x$. Some participants express uncertainty about how to substitute back for $\theta$ after integration.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with various methods being proposed for expressing $\theta$. Some participants have provided guidance on how to derive $\theta$ from the substitution, while others are trying to reconcile differences in their final answers. There is no explicit consensus on the correct approach yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of trigonometric identities and inverse functions, with some expressing confusion about the implications of their substitutions on the final result. There are references to discrepancies in answers derived from different expressions for $\theta$.

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[tex]\int \frac{sqrt(9x^2-4)}{x}dx[/tex]

I'm stuck at this one part, but i'll show you my steps so you guys can see if I'm doing it right or not.

factor out the 9...
[tex]\int \frac{sqrt(9(x^2-4/9)}{x}dx[/tex]


x = 2/3*sec(theta)
dx = 2/3*sec(theta)tan(theta) d(theta)

then i just subbed 2/3*sec(theta) for one of the X first.

[tex]sqrt(9(4/9*sec(theta)^2 - 4/9))[/tex] => [tex]sqrt(4*sec(theta)^2-4[/tex]

=> [tex]sqrt(4(sec(theta)^2-1))[/tex]

using trig. id...

=> 2tan(theta)

now i will sub in for the other x and dx.

[tex]\int \frac{2*tan(theta)}{2/3*sec(theta)}*2/3*sec(theta)*tan(theta)[/tex]

2/3*sec(theta) canceles out each other so...

[tex]2\int tan(theta)^2[/tex]

=> trig id... [tex]2\int sec(theta)^2-1[/tex]

well i know the integral of sec(theta)^2 is just tan(theta). but what is the integral of 1? it would be x in other cases, but what would the integral of 1 be in this case?
 
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Assuming you did the rest of the work right, you're integrating with respect to theta so [tex]\int {1 d\theta}[/tex] is [tex]\theta[/tex]
 
yea i knew that, but i didnt know how to sub in for theta. i can sub in for tan(theta) by drawing a right triangle.

tan(theta) = [tex]\frac{sqrt(9x^2-4)}{2}[/tex]


so the answer should be [tex]2*\frac{9x^2-4}{2} - 2(theta)[/tex]

what should i sub in for theta?
 
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[tex]\int [a(x)+b(x)]dx = \int a(x) dx +\int b(x) dx[/tex]


Intergration of 1 will be theta (not x)


[tex]\theta = cos^{-1}\frac{2}{3x}[/tex]
 
Last edited:
How about
[tex]\frac{3x}{2}=\cosh u[/tex] ?

I think it comes out nicely...

Daniel.
 
Gamma said:
[tex]\int [a(x)+b(x)]dx = \int a(x) dx +\int b(x) dx[/tex]


Intergration of 1 will be theta (not x)


[tex]\theta = cos^{-1}\frac{2}{3x}[/tex]

the answer is:
[tex]sqrt((9*x^2-4))+2*arctan\frac{2}{sqrt(9*x^2-4)}[/tex] (which looks extactly like my answer if i subbed in [tex]arctan\frac{2}{sqrt(9*x^2-4)}[/tex] for theta)
i used a computer to find the answer, but i would like to know how to find theta. can someone help?


how did you get [tex]\theta = cos^{-1}\frac{2}{3x}[/tex]

i tried to sub in what you got for theta, but it told me that i was wrong (i submit my homework online and it checks my stuff)
 
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if you can draw the triangle, write something like [tex]\cos \theta = (something)[/tex] and take the inverse cosine of both sides.
 
ProBasket said:
x = 2/3*sec(theta)

Just solve for theta from the above equation.
 
x=2/3*sec(theta)
=>
3/2x=sec(theta)
1/sec*3/2x=theta
sec^(-1)*3/2x = theta


i got that, am i doing something wrong?
 
  • #10
ProBasket said:
yea i knew that, but i didnt know how to sub in for theta. i can sub in for tan(theta) by drawing a right triangle.

tan(theta) = [tex]\frac{sqrt(9x^2-4)}{2}[/tex]


so the answer should be [tex]2*\frac{9x^2-4}{2} - 2(theta)[/tex]

what should i sub in for theta?

So was your final answer:
[tex]\sqrt{9x^2-4} - 2(arccos(2/3x))[/tex]
?
 
  • #11
ProBasket said:
x=2/3*sec(theta)
=>
3/2x=sec(theta)

It should be 3x/2 = sec(theta)
 
  • #12
the correct answer is [tex]sqrt((9*x^2-4))+2*arctan\frac{2}{sqrt(9*x^2-4)}[/tex]


that means that if theta = [tex]arctan\frac{2}{sqrt(9*x^2-4)}[/tex]

i would get the correct answer


on the other hand, if i subbed in theta = [tex]\theta = cos^{-1}\frac{2}{3x}[/tex]

i would get the wrong answer
 
  • #13
It seems like the way you solved it, the answer comes out to:

[tex]sqrt((9*x^2-4))-2*arctan\frac{sqrt(9*x^2-4)}{2}[/tex]

but the correct answer is:

[tex]sqrt((9*x^2-4))+2*arctan\frac{2}{sqrt(9*x^2-4)}[/tex]

But I can't find the source of the discrepancy. Can somebody see the reason? I can't find any errors in your work. All I can think of is tan(theta)=1/tan(Pi/2-theta). Maybe somehow this caused a problem somewhere??
 
Last edited:
  • #14
How about another substitution
[tex]\frac{2}{3x}=\sin t[/tex] ?

Daniel.
 

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