Calculus II - Partial Fractions - Evaluate integral dx/(x^4-10x^2+9)

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SUMMARY

The integral of dx/(x^4-10x^2+9) can be evaluated using partial fractions after factoring the polynomial into linear factors. The polynomial x^4-10x^2+9 simplifies to (x^2-1)(x^2-9), which can be expressed as (x-1)(x+1)(x-3)(x+3). The correct approach involves setting up the integral in the form A/(x-1) + B/(x+1) + C/(x-3) + D/(x+3) and solving for the coefficients A, B, C, and D. The original attempt using trigonometric substitution was unnecessarily complicated for a Calculus II problem.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of integral calculus, specifically techniques for evaluating integrals.
  • Familiarity with polynomial factoring and the quadratic formula.
  • Knowledge of partial fraction decomposition.
  • Basic trigonometric identities and substitutions.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study polynomial factoring techniques, focusing on higher-degree polynomials.
  • Learn about partial fraction decomposition in detail, including examples with different types of factors.
  • Review integral calculus techniques, particularly those involving trigonometric substitutions.
  • Practice evaluating integrals that require multiple techniques to reinforce understanding.
USEFUL FOR

Students enrolled in Calculus II, educators teaching integral calculus, and anyone seeking to improve their skills in evaluating complex integrals using partial fractions.

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Homework Statement



Evaluate integral dx/(x^4-10x^2+9)

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Ok so I'm trying to solve this problem for my calculus II course as a homework problem and am lost.

The first attachment you'll see how I attempted to evaluate the integral by setting u = x^2, which resulted in

1/2 integral dx/(sqrt(u)(u^2-16u+9))

I then factored u^2-16u+9 by finding the solution of what u is equal to using the quadratic formula and got this as my new resulting integral

1/2 integral du/(sqrt(u)(u-8+sqrt(55))(u-8-sqrt(55)))

I then tried to result this into partial fractions in order to evaluate the integral in form

A/sqrt(u) + B/(u-8+sqrt(55)) + C/(u-8-sqrt(55))

When I solved for A, B, and C, I got

A = 1/9
B = -1/(2 sqrt(55) sqrt(8+sqrt(55)) )
C = 1/(2 sqrt(55) sqrt(8 + sqrt(55) )

When I then tried to evaluate each separate integral I got

x/9 - 1/(4 sqrt(55) sqrt(8 + sqrt(55))) ln|x^2 - 8 + sqrt(55)| + 1/(4 sqrt(55) sqrt(8 + sqrt(55) ) ) ln|x^2 - 8 - sqrt(55)| + c

I guess I did something wrong...

I than tried to evaluate the integral using trig substitution as you will see in the the second attachment, i crossed off my first attempt and just got to the point were i decided it was getting to complicated for calculus II I had to make two trig substitutions using two different triangles.

I'm lost thanks for any help.
 

Attachments

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  • try2.jpg
    try2.jpg
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Factor x^4-10*x^2+9. It splits completely into linear factors. Then use partial fractions.
 
Dick said:
Factor x^4-10*x^2+9. It splits completely into linear factors. Then use partial fractions.

oh wow thanks =) i over complicated it a bit much
 

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