Solving Surface Integral: x(C - x^2/3)^3/2 dx

In summary: This is a perfect example of how easy and straightforward it is to get caught up in a problem and miss the simplest solution. Thanks for pointing it out!In summary, the conversation discusses different methods for solving the integral \int x {(C - x^{2/3})}^{3/2} dx, including substitution and integration by parts. The most efficient method involves using a u-substitution to simplify the integral.
  • #1
gulsen
217
0
[tex]\int x {(C - x^{2/3})}^{3/2} dx[/tex]

Any ideas?
 
Last edited:
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  • #2
gulsen said:
[tex]\int x {(C - x^{2/3})}^{3/2} dx[/tex]

Any ideas?
[tex]\int x \sqrt{ \left( C - \sqrt[3]{x ^ 2} \right) ^ 3} dx[/tex]
To solve integrals with square roots like that, one can start off their problem by changing the variable x to some variable t such that:
[tex]C - \sqrt[3]{x ^ 2} = C \cos ^ 2 t[/tex]
So, let:
[tex]x = \sqrt{C ^ 3} \sin ^ 3 t \quad \quad \quad t \in \left[ -\frac{\pi}{2} ; \ \frac{\pi}{2} \right][/tex]
[tex]\Rightarrow dx = 3 \sqrt{C ^ 3} \cos t \sin ^ 2 t dt[/tex].
Substitute all to your integral yields:
[tex]\int x \sqrt{\left( C - \sqrt[3]{x ^ 2} \right) ^ 3} dx = 3 C ^ 3 \int \sin ^ 5 t \cos t \sqrt{ \left( C - \sqrt[3]{C ^ 3 \sin ^ 6 t} \right) ^ 3} dt = 3 C ^ 3 \int \sin ^ 5 t \cos t \sqrt{ \left( C - C \sin ^ 2 t} \right) ^ 3} dt[/tex]
[tex]= 3 \sqrt{C ^ 9} \int \sin ^ 5 t \cos ^ 4 t dt[/tex]
You can go from here, right? :)
 
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  • #3
Yup, thanks! :)
But isn't this substitution very subtle? Am I an oracle to guess it instantenously in an exam!?
 
  • #4
Well it may appear ingenious, but really [itex]sin^2t + cos^2t=1[/itex] so the idea of substituting some function of [itex]sin t[/itex] is going to be a good idea. Once you have that idea, you can work out what powers you need &c.
 
  • #5
gulsen said:
Yup, thanks! :)
But isn't this substitution very subtle? Am I an oracle to guess it instantenously in an exam!?
Nah, you don't need to be an oracle to know it.
To solve square root, there are some common ways:
The first way is to use an u substitution:
u2 = everything inside the square root, so that when you squre root it, it'll become u. In your problem:
[tex]u ^ 2 = C - \sqrt[3]{x ^ 2}[/tex].
Then [tex]2u du = -\frac{2}{3 \sqrt[3]{x}} dx \Rightarrow dx = 3u \sqrt[3]{x}[/tex].
Substitute all to your integral, and it will become:
[tex]\int x \sqrt{ \left( C - \sqrt[3]{x ^ 2} \right) ^ 3} dx = 3 \int u ^ 4 \sqrt[3]{x ^ 4} du = 3 \int u ^ 4 (C - u ^ 2) ^ 2 du[/tex]
Try it to see if you can arrive at the same answer as you previously got.
------------------
The second way is to use trig substitution. Change x to u such that everything inside the square root become something * cos2u, so that again when you square root it, it will be come: [tex]\sqrt{\mbox{something}} \times \cos u[/tex].
So let:
[tex]C - \sqrt[3]{x ^ 2} = C \cos ^ 2 t[/tex]
[tex]\Leftrightarrow \sqrt[3]{x ^ 2} = C \sin ^ 2 t[/tex]
[tex]\Leftrightarrow x = \sqrt{C ^ 3} \sin ^ 3 t[/tex]
[tex]\Rightarrow dx = 3 \sqrt{C ^ 3} \cos t \sin ^ 2 t dt[/tex]
...
Can you get this? :)
 
  • #6
Alternatively, you may choose:
[tex]y=x^{\frac{1}{3}}\to{dx}=3y^{2}dy[/tex]
And, hence:
[tex]\int{x}(C-x^{\frac{2}{3}})^{\frac{3}{2}}dx=\int{3y^{5}}(C-y^{2})^{\frac{3}{2}}dy[/tex]

This is solved nicely by repeated integrations by parts.
 
  • #7
even better...

Let [tex]u = \sqrt{C-x^{\frac{2}{3}}[/tex]


Then [tex]x = (C-u^2)^{\frac{3}{2}} \Rightarrow[/tex]
...

[tex]dx = \frac{3}{2}(C-u^2)^{\frac{1}{2}}(-2)udu\Rightarrow[/tex]

...

[tex]dx = -3(C-u^2)^{\frac{1}{2}}udu[/tex]
...
Then: [tex]\int x(C-x^{\frac{2}{3}})^{\frac{3}{2}}dx = \int[ (C-u^2)^{\frac{3}{2}})(u^3)(-3(C-u^2)^{\frac{1}{2}}udu)][/tex]

Put the two [tex] (C-u^2)[/tex] terms together and simplifying:

[tex] = -3\int (C-u^2)^2u^4du \Rightarrow -3\int(c^2 - 2Cu^2 + u^4)(u^4)du[/tex]

...
[tex]=-3\int(u^4c^2 - 2u^6C + u^8)du[/tex]
...
[tex] =-3[C^2\int u^4du - 2C\int u^6 du + \int u^8 du][/tex]

:)
 
  • #8
daveyp225 said:
even better...
...
Have you looked closely at the fifth post of this thread, daveyp225?? :rolleyes:
 
  • #9
VietDao29 said:
Have you looked closely at the fifth post of this thread, daveyp225?? :rolleyes:
Evidently not.
 

Related to Solving Surface Integral: x(C - x^2/3)^3/2 dx

1. What is a surface integral?

A surface integral is a mathematical concept used in multivariable calculus to calculate the flux, or flow, of a vector field across a surface. It is similar to a regular integral, but instead of integrating over a one-dimensional curve, it integrates over a two-dimensional surface.

2. What is the formula for solving surface integrals?

The general formula for solving surface integrals is: ∫∫F(x,y,z) · dS = ∫∫F(x(u,v), y(u,v), z(u,v)) · ||ru x rv|| dA, where F(x,y,z) is the vector field, dS is the surface element, r(u,v) is the parametric representation of the surface, and ||ru x rv|| is the magnitude of the cross product of the partial derivatives of r(u,v).

3. How do I solve a surface integral with a given function?

To solve a surface integral with a given function, you first need to determine the limits of integration by setting up a double integral with the parametric representation of the surface. Then, you can plug in the given function into the formula and solve the double integral using standard integration techniques.

4. How is the given function related to the surface in the integral?

The given function is the integrand of the surface integral and represents the flux of the vector field across the surface. It is related to the surface because it is integrated over the surface to calculate the total flux. The function may also be used to determine the direction and magnitude of the flux at each point on the surface.

5. Can I use any coordinate system to solve a surface integral?

Yes, you can use any coordinate system as long as it properly represents the surface and allows you to calculate the necessary limits of integration. Common coordinate systems used for surface integrals include Cartesian, polar, cylindrical, and spherical coordinates.

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