Can the Integral of 1/(x^5+5) be Evaluated Analytically?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the integral of the function 1/(x^5 + 5). Participants are exploring whether this integral can be approached analytically and what methods might be applicable.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants suggest transforming the integral into a form resembling arctan, while others question the validity of such transformations. There is also a mention of using substitutions and the complexity of the integral as indicated by external computational tools.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing different perspectives on the feasibility of evaluating the integral analytically. Some express skepticism about the integral being solvable using standard methods, while others propose factoring and using partial fractions as a potential approach, albeit acknowledging the difficulty involved.

Contextual Notes

There are indications that the problem may have been copied incorrectly, as some participants reference the complexity of the integral and the challenges in finding a straightforward solution.

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Homework Statement


Evaluate the integral.


Homework Equations


[itex]\displaystyle\int \frac{1}{x^5 + 5} dx[/itex]


The Attempt at a Solution



could i turn this into an x^2 + a^2 --> arctan

for example: [itex]\frac{1}{x^(5/2)^2 + \sqrt{5}^2} dx[/itex]

note that is: [itex]x^{5/2}[/itex] squared.
 
Last edited:
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Your thread title says, "Is this a trig interval?" :confused:

whatlifeforme said:

Homework Statement


Evaluate the integral.


Homework Equations


[itex]\displaystyle\int \frac{1}{x^5 + 5} dx[/itex]


The Attempt at a Solution



could i turn this into an x^2 + a^2 --> arctan

for example: [itex]\frac{1}{x^(5/2)^2 + 5} dx[/itex]
No. If you let u = x5/2, what would du equal, and can you make the substitution work?
 
how would i solve this then?
 
Wolframalpha gives a very complicated answer, so I'm not sure this integral can be evaluated using the usual analytic methods. Maybe you copied the problem wrong?
 
eumyang said:
Wolframalpha gives a very complicated answer, so I'm not sure this integral can be evaluated using the usual analytic methods. Maybe you copied the problem wrong?

One analytic way to do it is to factor x^5+5 completely over the complex numbers and then use partial fractions. Then carefully track how the complex parts cancel. It's a MASSIVE pain in the neck. I could start it but I would probably never finish. Certainly wouldn't assign it as a problem.
 

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