Finding the Integral of a Rational Function with a Radical in the Denominator

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In summary, the equation ∫(4dx)/sqrt(-4x - x^2) represents an indefinite integral used in calculus to find the original function. It can be solved using the substitution method and has a domain of all real numbers except for x = -4 and x = 0. There is also a shortcut known as the trigonometric substitution method. This type of integral has various real-life applications in physics, engineering, economics, and statistics.
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Homework Statement



[itex]∫\frac{4dx}{\sqrt{-4x - x^2}}[/itex]

Homework Equations



[itex]arcsin(\frac{x}{a}) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{a^2-X^2}}[/itex]

Correct Answer: 4sin-1[itex]\frac{1}{2}[/itex](x + 2) + c

The Attempt at a Solution



I am completely lost with this one. I tried pulling a [itex]\sqrt{x}[/itex] out of the bottom.

[itex]∫\frac{4dx}{\sqrt{x}\sqrt{-4 - x}}[/itex]

u = [itex]\sqrt{x}[/itex]
du = [itex]\frac{1}{2}x^{-1/2}dx[/itex]

[itex]8∫\frac{du}{\sqrt{-4-u^2}}[/itex]

So [itex]a^2 = -4[/itex]

[itex]\sqrt{-4}[/itex] is not a real number.

I would appreciate any help you could give. Thanks.
 
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try-4x-4x^2=4-(x+2)^2
 

What is the equation ∫(4dx)/sqrt(-4x - x^2)?

The equation ∫(4dx)/sqrt(-4x - x^2) is an indefinite integral, also known as an antiderivative. It represents the integral of 4 divided by the square root of -4x - x^2 with respect to x. This type of integral is often used in calculus to find the original function when only its derivative is known.

How do you solve the equation ∫(4dx)/sqrt(-4x - x^2)?

To solve this integral, you can use the substitution method. Let u = -4x - x^2, then du = (-4 - 2x)dx. This gives us the integral ∫(4dx)/sqrt(u) = ∫(4du)/(-4 - 2x). Using algebraic manipulation, we can solve for x and then substitute back in to find the original function.

What is the domain of the equation ∫(4dx)/sqrt(-4x - x^2)?

The domain of this integral is all real numbers except for x = -4 and x = 0. This is because the denominator, sqrt(-4x - x^2), cannot be equal to 0 and the expression under the square root must be non-negative.

Is there a shortcut to solving the equation ∫(4dx)/sqrt(-4x - x^2)?

Yes, there is a shortcut known as the trigonometric substitution method. By using the substitution x = 2sin(theta), you can rewrite the integral as ∫(4dx)/sqrt(4^2 - 4x^2) = ∫(4cos(theta)d(theta))/sqrt(4^2 - 4sin^2(theta)). This allows you to use trigonometric identities to simplify the integral and solve it more easily.

What are some real-life applications of the equation ∫(4dx)/sqrt(-4x - x^2)?

This type of integral has various applications in physics, engineering, and economics. It can be used to model the velocity of an object in freefall, the growth rate of a population, or the demand for a product. It is also used in computing areas under curves and calculating probabilities in statistics.

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