Integral is typical arctan type

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the integral \(\int_{0}^{1}\frac{4}{1+x^2}dx\), which is identified as a typical arctangent type integral. Participants explore various substitution methods and the implications of their choices on the integral's evaluation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of substitution methods, questioning how to properly express the integral in terms of the new variable. There are attempts to clarify the relationship between the tangent function and the integral, as well as the importance of expressing all variables consistently after substitution.

Discussion Status

Several participants have offered guidance on substitution techniques, with some suggesting alternative approaches to simplify the integral. There is an ongoing exploration of different interpretations of the problem, particularly regarding the application of the arctangent rule.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the importance of ensuring that substitutions do not leave any original variables in the expression, while others highlight the need to remember constants when dealing with definite integrals.

UrbanXrisis
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[tex]\int_{0}^{1}\frac{4}{1+x^2}[/tex]

[tex]\int 4(1+x^2)^{-1}[/tex]

[tex]u=1+x^2[/tex]

[tex]du=2x[/tex]

[tex]\frac{2du}{x}=4dx[/tex]

[tex]2\int \frac{u^{-1}}{x} dx[/tex]

[tex]2ln(ux)[/tex]

[tex]=2ln(x+x^3)|_{0}^{1}[/tex]

[tex]=2ln(1+1^3)-2ln(0+0^3)[/tex]

I know I did something wrong, any ideas?
 
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Yes,your integral is typical [itex]\arctan[/itex] type...You should know this

[tex]\int \frac{dx}{1+x^{2}}[/tex]

by heart...

Daniel.
 
If you make a substitution, you need to arrange it such that the resulting expression does not contain the variable you substituted for.

Here, you had

[tex]\int 4(1+x^2)^{-1} \ dx,[/tex]

and made the substitution

[tex]u = 1 + x^2 \Longrightarrow du = 2x \ dx \Longrightarrow \frac{du}{2x} = dx[/tex]

you now need to express [itex]dx[/itex] in terms of only [itex]u[/itex], ie. with no [itex]x[/itex]'s on the left side. You can do this by noting

[tex]2x = 2\sqrt{(x^2 + 1) - 1} = 2\sqrt{u - 1}[/tex]

so you get

[tex]dx = \frac{du}{2\sqrt{u - 1}}[/tex]

so your integral is

[tex]\int \frac{4}{2u\sqrt{u-1}} \ du = \int \frac{2}{u\sqrt{u-1}} \ du[/tex]

which is not very nice. I would advise seeing if you can find a better strategy to start with.
 
UrbanXrisis said:
[tex]\frac{2du}{x}=4dx[/tex]

[tex]2\int \frac{u^{-1}}{x} dx[/tex]

When you make a substitution, you want to express everything in terms of the new variable before integrating. Try instead the substitution:

[tex]x=tan(u)[/tex]
 
I've never really learned about acrtan... how does tan(u) fit into this equation?
 
If u know the substitution metod and apply it for the given function (tangent) u'll learn.

Daniel.
 
Subsituting [itex]x = \tan{u} \Longrightarrow dx = \sec^2 u \ du[/itex] simplifies the integral completely. Substituting these in gives

[tex]\int \frac{4}{1+x^2} \ dx = \int \frac{4}{1 + \tan^2 u} \sec^2 u \ du[/tex]

Then all you need to know is

[tex]\sec^2 u - \tan^2 u = 1[/tex]

which you can prove on your own, and I'm sure you can finish from there :wink:
 
Whozum,you're wrong.

Daniel.

EDIT:Yoiu saw it & deleted the post... :rolleyes:
 
This is a fairly straightfoward arctangent rule as others have said.

[tex]\int \frac{4}{1 + x^2}dx = 4 \int\frac{1}{1 + x^2}dx = 4\arctan{x} + C[/tex]

The rule for tangent inverses is [tex]\int\frac{du}{a^2+u^2} = \frac{1}{a}\arctan\frac{u}{a} + C[/tex]
 
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  • #10
don't forget your constants~
 
  • #11
Well, since this was a definite integral I thought I'd let the poster apply the bounds, but yes, you are correct. I'll change them...
 

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