Can This Integral Be Solved More Efficiently?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral $$\int \frac{y}{((x-1)^{2}+y^{2})^{2}}dy$$, with participants exploring different methods of solving it, including trigonometric substitutions and algebraic manipulations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various substitution methods, including the use of trigonometric identities and algebraic transformations. Some question the correctness of the original poster's solution, while others suggest alternative approaches that may be more efficient.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of different methods, with some participants indicating that they have found more straightforward approaches. However, there is no explicit consensus on the best method, and multiple interpretations of the integral's solution are being considered.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the complexity of the original solution and the potential for simplification through different substitutions. There are also references to the use of computational tools to verify results, which may influence the discussion on correctness.

etf
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Here is my integral:
$$\\\int \frac{y}{((x-1)^{2}+y^{2})^{2}}dy$$
I solved it using substitution $$y=(x-1)\tan{\varphi }$$
Final result is $$\frac{1}{2(x-1)^{2}}\sin^{2}{(arctan(\frac{y}{x-1}))}$$
It was complicated to solve it and I used few trig. identities. My question is, is it possible to solve it using another method (faster)?
 
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etf said:
Here is my integral:
$$\\\int \frac{y}{((x-1)^{2}+y^{2})^{2}}dy$$
I solved it using substitution $$y=(x-1)\tan{\varphi }$$
Final result is $$\frac{1}{2(x-1)^{2}}\sin^{2}{(arctan(\frac{y}{x-1}))}$$
It was complicated to solve it and I used few trig. identities. My question is, is it possible to solve it using another method (faster)?

I would just call ##(x-1)^2=a^2## so you have ##\int \frac y {(a^2+y^2)^2}~dy## and let ##u = a^2 +y^2##, ##du = 2y~dy##. Your answer doesn't look even close to correct.
 
Well, $$\sin^2 (\arctan (z)) = \frac{z^2}{z^2+1}$$The answer is not correct, but it is not far away from the right answer (just expressed in a very complicated way).
 
I found derivative of my solution (using Matlab) and I got my original function :smile: Are you sure it's not correct?
 
etf said:
I found derivative of my solution (using Matlab) and I got my original function :smile: Are you sure it's not correct?

Well, since you didn't show your work I didn't spend any time trying to verify it. Your method is certainly not the preferred method for this problem. Try the substitution I suggested and you will see.
 
I will post complete solution.
 
etf said:
I found derivative of my solution (using Matlab) and I got my original function :smile:
I don't get that. Note that I replaced x-1 by x as it always appears in this combination.
 
$$\int \frac{y}{((x-1)^{2}+y^{2})^{2}}dy=\left \{ y=(x-1)tan\varphi ,dy=\frac{x-1}{\cos^{2}{\varphi }}d\varphi \right \}=$$$$\\\int \frac{(x-1)tan\varphi }{((x-1)^{2}+(x-1)^{2}tan^{2}\varphi )^{2}}\frac{x-1}{\cos^{2}{\varphi }}d\varphi =$$$$\\\int \frac{(x-1)tan\varphi }{(x-1)^{4}(1+tan^{2}\varphi )^{2}}\frac{x-1}{\cos^{2}{\varphi }}d\varphi =$$$$\\\frac{1}{(x-1)^{2}}\int \frac{tan\varphi }{(sec^{2}\varphi )^{2}}\frac{1}{\cos^{2}{\varphi }}d\varphi =$$ $$\\=\frac{1}{(x-1)^{2}}\int \frac{\frac{\sin{\varphi }}{\cos{\varphi }}}{\frac{1}{\cos^{4}{\varphi }}\cos^{2}{\varphi }}d\varphi=\frac{1}{(x-1)^{2}}\int \sin{\varphi }cos{\varphi}d\varphi =\frac{1}{2(x-1)^{2}}\int \sin{2\varphi }d\varphi =\frac{1}{2(x-1)^{2}}\sin^{2}{\varphi }$$
 
Last edited:
mfb said:
I don't get that. Note that I replaced x-1 by x as it always appears in this combination.
You forgot to raise sin at 2 ? If you put d/dy (1/(2x^2) * (sin(arctan(y/x)))^2) you will get correct result...
Here is my result from Matlab:
>> syms x y
>> f=(1/(2*(x-1)^2))*(sin(atan(y/(x-1))))^2;
>> simplify(diff(f,y)-y/((x-1)^2+y^2)^2)

ans =

0
 
Last edited:
  • #10
etf said:
My question is, is it possible to solve it using another method (faster)?

And the answer is yes. Have you tried what I suggested? It's much easier.
 
  • #11
LCKurtz, I have done it using your substitution in only few lines. Definitely much better way to solve this integral :)
 
  • #12
mfb said:
Well, $$\sin^2 (\arctan (z)) = \frac{z^2}{z^2+1}$$
Can you tell me how did you come up with that equality?
 
  • #13
etf said:
Can you tell me how did you come up with that equality?

Draw a picture of an angle whose tangent is ##z##. What is that angle's sine?
 
  • #14
Got it now:)
 
  • #15
etf said:
Here is my integral:
$$\\\int \frac{y}{((x-1)^{2}+y^{2})^{2}}dy$$
I solved it using substitution $$y=(x-1)\tan{\varphi }$$
Final result is $$\frac{1}{2(x-1)^{2}}\sin^{2}{(arctan(\frac{y}{x-1}))}$$
It was complicated to solve it and I used few trig. identities. My question is, is it possible to solve it using another method (faster)?

If we set x-1 = a you have
[tex]\int \frac{y}{(a^2+y^2)^2} \, dy = \frac{1}{2a^2} \sin^2 \left( \arctan \left(\frac{y}{a} \right) \right)+C_1<br /> \equiv \frac{1}{2a^2} \frac{y^2}{a^2+y^2}+C_1 \: \Longleftarrow \: F_1(y)[/tex]
Doing the integral another way gives
[tex]\int \frac{y}{(a^2+y^2)^2} \, dy = -\frac{1}{2} \frac{1}{a^2+y^2} + C_2 \: \Longleftarrow \: F_2(y)[/tex]

Although ##F_1(y)## and ##F_2(y)## look very different, it is wise to remember arbitrary constants of integration, so we have, in fact, that ##F_1(y) - F_2(y) = \text{const.}## Therefore, they are equivalent.
 
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  • #16
etf said:
You forgot to raise sin at 2 ? If you put d/dy (1/(2x^2) * (sin(arctan(y/x)))^2) you will get correct result...
Oh, right.
Okay, looks fine.
 

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