Integration by trig. substitution

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving integration by trigonometric substitution, specifically focusing on the translation of variables and potential errors in the process. The original poster seeks clarification on their work in light of a provided solution from a textbook.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants question the original poster's substitution choices and the translation of variables back to the original form. There are discussions about specific terms in the numerator and the interpretation of trigonometric identities.

Discussion Status

Several participants have offered observations regarding potential errors in the original poster's approach. There is an ongoing exploration of the implications of these errors on the final answer, but no consensus has been reached regarding the complete resolution of the problem.

Contextual Notes

The original poster is preparing for an exam and has shared a scanned version of their work for review. The discussion includes references to specific terms and substitutions that may not have been correctly applied, indicating a need for careful examination of the steps taken in the integration process.

mad
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Hello everyone
I have an exam tomorrow and I would really appreciate if someone could tell me what I did wrong with this exercice. I did it on paper and I scanned it. Here is the link to the scan:

The answer in the book is sqrt(x^2 + x +5/4) + 2ln(sqrt(x^2 + 2x + 2) + x +1) + C

http://img223.echo.cx/img223/8425/problem490012al.jpg

It is hosted on imageshack.us
download it and open it in windows so you can change the zoom size for better viewing

Thanks a lot in advance !
 
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If u = x + 1, where does u + 1 come from? That is just the first thing I saw, it may lead to your other problems.
 
It should be "u+2" in the numerator after doing the first sub.

Daniel.
 
dextercioby said:
It should be "u+2" in the numerator after doing the first sub.

Daniel.

Woops. Was this the only problem? I think this only changes the arctg from the final answer and not the ln(..) of the answer. I hate when this type of error happens..
 
Last edited:
When translating from theta back to x, you mistranslated sec(t).

Next to the triangle you have

[tex]sec(\theta) = \frac{1}{\cos(\theta)} = \frac{1}{u}[/tex]

cos(theta) is not u, try looking at it again.
 
whozum said:
When translating from theta back to x, you mistranslated sec(t).

Next to the triangle you have

[tex]sec(\theta) = \frac{1}{\cos(\theta)} = \frac{1}{u}[/tex]

cos(theta) is not u, try looking at it again.

Thanks a lot :)
 

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