Anti-diff(sqrt(x^2+1)/x)dx from 1 to 2

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral of the function sqrt(x^2+1)/x, specifically seeking the antiderivative from 1 to 2. The subject area is calculus, focusing on integration techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore various integration techniques, including trigonometric substitution and integration by parts. Questions arise regarding the integration of specific forms, such as 1/(sin(u)*(cos(u))^2), and the challenges associated with these integrals.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with different methods to approach the integral, with some offering suggestions for trigonometric identities and substitutions. There is a recognition of the complexity involved in integrating certain expressions, and guidance has been provided on potential paths forward.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express difficulty with specific integrals and mention standard methods for handling odd powers of sine. The discussion reflects a collaborative effort to navigate the challenges posed by the problem without reaching a definitive solution.

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Anti-diff(sqrt(x^2+1)/x)dx from 1 to 2

I have tried so many formulas and spent so much time on this and can't find a solution with working out, can someone please help me out.
 
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cos(e) said:
Anti-diff(sqrt(x^2+1)/x)dx from 1 to 2

I have tried so many formulas and spent so much time on this and can't find a solution with working out, can someone please help me out.
Problems with a square inside a square root always make me think immediately of a trig substitution. [itex]sin^2(\theta)+ cos^2(\theta)= 1[/itex] and, dividing by [itex]cos(\theta)[/itex], [itex]tan^2(\theta+ 1= sec^2(\theta)[/itex]. That tells us that if we let [itex]x= tan(\theta)[/itex], [itex]\sqrt{x^2+ 1}= \sqrt{tan^2(\theta)+ 1}= sec(\theta)[/itex]. Of course, [itex]dx= sec^2(\theta)d\theta[/itex] so the integral becomes
[tex]\int \frac{sec(\theta)}{tan(\theta)}sec^2(\theta)d\theta[/itex]<br /> <br /> Now convert everything to sine and cosine: [itex]sec(\theta)= 1/cos(\theta)[/itex] and [itex]tan(\theta)= sin(\theta)/cos(\theta)[/itex][/tex]
 
Ok thanks for the fast reply, and i got down to anti-diff(1/(sinu*(cosu)^2)du), which i can't integrate any better than the first question i posted, can u point me in the right direction?
 
Well you could write 1 as [tex]sin^2(\theta)+cos^2(\theta)[/tex] and then it will come down to finding the integral of [tex]sec(\theta)tan(\theta)[/tex] plus the integral of [tex]csc(\theta)[/tex].

Now the first is well-known and has antiderivative [tex]sec(\theta)[/tex] so that's not a problem. It's not too hard to derive the antiderivative for [tex]csc(\theta)[/tex] but you could always look it up.
 
Use integration by parts. Rewrite it as sec^2 u csc u before doing so.
 
cos(e) said:
Ok thanks for the fast reply, and i got down to anti-diff(1/(sinu*(cosu)^2)du), which i can't integrate any better than the first question i posted, can u point me in the right direction?
Since that involves an odd power of sine, there is a standard method for it. Here the sine is in the denominator but we can multiply both numerator and denominator by sin(x) to get
[tex]\int \frac{sin u}{sin^2 u cos^2 u}du= \int \frac{sin u}{(1- cos^2u)cos^2 u}du[/itex]<br /> Now let y= cos u so dy= -sin u du or sin u du= -y dy. The integral becomes<br /> [tex]\int \frac{dy}{y(1-y^2)}= \int \frac{dy}{y(1-y)(1+y)}[/tex]<br /> which can be done by "partial fractions".[/tex]
 

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