How to Solve an Integration Substitution Problem?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving an integration problem involving the integral of cos(√x)/√x. Participants are exploring substitution methods to simplify the integral.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts a substitution with u = cos(√x) but questions the validity of their approach. Some participants point out issues with removing terms from the integral and suggest alternative substitutions. Others propose using u = √x to simplify the integral further.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing various substitution methods, with some providing guidance on avoiding common pitfalls. There is no explicit consensus on the best approach yet, but multiple strategies are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that certain substitutions may not be valid due to dependencies on x, and there is an acknowledgment of the complexity involved in choosing an appropriate substitution.

UrbanXrisis
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[tex]\int \frac {cos(\sqrt{x})}{\sqrt{x}}dx =?[/tex]

Here's what I did:
[tex]= \int x^{-0.5}cosx^{0.5}dx[/tex]
subsitute:
[tex]u= cos(\sqrt{x})[/tex]
[tex]du=-sin(\sqrt{x})(0.5x^{-0.5})dx[/tex]
[tex]-\frac {1}{0.5sin(\sqrt{x})}\int u du[/tex]
[tex]-\frac{2}{sin(\sqrt{x})} 0.5cos^2(\sqrt{x})[/tex]
[tex]-\frac{1}{sin(\sqrt{x})}cos^2(\sqrt{x})[/tex]

I know I did this wrong. Any suggestions?
 
Last edited:
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UrbanXrisis said:
[tex]\int \frac {cos(\sqrt{x})}{\sqrt{x}}dx =?[/tex]
[tex]-\frac {1}{0.5sin(\sqrt{x})}\int u du[/tex]
Be careful. You cannot remove [itex]\frac{1}{\sin(\sqrt(x))}[/itex] from the integral, because it depends on x! (u depends on x too).

You just made a bad choice for substitution. No biggy, just try a different one. Not too many obvious option left anymore..
 
Well, first of all you can't just take that "[itex]sin(\sqrt{x})[/itex]" out of the integral- it's a function of x!

DON'T substitute of the whole cos x0.5, just for x0.5.

Let u= x0.5 so that du= 0.5x-0.5dx and 2du= x-0.5.

Now, its easy!
 
Try substituting u=x^1/2...

oops...beat to the punch...
 
is the answer [tex]2sin(\sqrt{x})+c?[/tex]
 
yep...u can always check by deriving the answer and see if you get the original function.
 

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