Different way to do this integral

  • Thread starter Thread starter iRaid
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Integral
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the integral \(\int \frac{x^{3}}{\sqrt[3]{x^{2}+1}}dx\) using substitution methods to express the integrand as a rational function.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various substitution methods, including \(u=x^{2}\) and \(u=x^{2}+1\). There is also mention of rationalizing the integrand using \(u^{3}=x^{2}+1\). Questions arise about the correctness of substitutions and the resulting expressions.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively exploring different substitution strategies and questioning the implications of their choices. Some guidance has been offered regarding alternative substitutions, and there is acknowledgment of potential errors in previous attempts. The discussion remains open with no explicit consensus on a single approach.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on following specific directions for substitution as part of the homework requirements, which may influence the approaches discussed. Participants express uncertainty about the transformations and their consequences.

iRaid
Messages
558
Reaction score
8

Homework Statement


Make a substitution to express the integrand as a rational
function and then evaluate the integral.
[tex]\int \frac{x^{3}}{\sqrt[3]{x^{2}+1}}dx[/tex]

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


I didn't know what to substitute using their directions, but I got the answer (I think), could someone tell me if my answer is right and how to do it using the directions.
[tex]u=x^{2} \\du=2xdx[/tex]
[tex]\int \frac{u}{\sqrt[3]{u+1}} du[/tex]
[tex]v=u+1 \\dv=du[/tex]
[tex]\int \frac{v-1}{\sqrt[3]{v}} dv = \int v^{\frac{2}{3}}-v^{\frac{-1}{3}}dv[/tex]
Therefore the answer is:
[tex]\frac{3(x^{2}+1)^{\frac{5}{3}}}{5}-\frac{3(x^{2}+1)^{\frac{2}{3}}}{2}+C[/tex]
 
Physics news on Phys.org
iRaid said:

Homework Statement


Make a substitution to express the integrand as a rational
function and then evaluate the integral.
[tex]\int \frac{x^{3}}{\sqrt[3]{x^{2}+1}}dx[/tex]

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


I didn't know what to substitute using their directions, but I got the answer (I think), could someone tell me if my answer is right and how to do it using the directions.
[tex]u=x^{2} \\du=2xdx[/tex]
[tex]\int \frac{u}{\sqrt[3]{u+1}} du[/tex]
[tex]v=u+1 \\dv=du[/tex]
[tex]\int \frac{v-1}{\sqrt[3]{v}} dv = \int v^{\frac{2}{3}}-v^{\frac{-1}{3}}dv[/tex]
Therefore the answer is:
[tex]\frac{3(x^{2}+1)^{\frac{5}{3}}}{5}-\frac{3(x^{2}+1)^{\frac{2}{3}}}{2}+C[/tex]

I think you mislaid a 1/2 factor. But why not substitute u=x^2+1 to begin with?
 
Dick said:
I think you mislaid a 1/2 factor. But why not substitute u=x^2+1 to begin with?

Yeah that works too, and I did forget the 1/2. Yeah I could do the u=x^2+1 too, idk what I was thinking lol. But is there any other way to do it using the directions?
 
iRaid said:
Yeah that works too, and I did forget the 1/2. Yeah I could do the u=x^2+1 too, idk what I was thinking lol. But is there any other way to do it using the directions?

If you want to rationalize it completely try u^3=x^2+1.
 
Dick said:
If you want to rationalize it completely try u^3=x^2+1.

What does du become then?
[tex]du=\frac{2}{3}\frac{x}{(x^2+1)^{\frac{2}{3}}}[/tex]?

Idk what I'd do with that :\
 
iRaid said:
What does du become then?
[tex]du=\frac{2}{3}\frac{x}{(x^2+1)^{\frac{2}{3}}}[/tex]?

Idk what I'd do with that :\

3u^2du=2xdx. The usual routine. Just keep going.
 
Am I going about this the right way:
[tex]u^{3}=x^{2}+1\\3u^{2}du=2xdx\\\frac{3}{2} \int \frac{(u^{3}-1)(u^{2})}{u}du[/tex]
=[tex]\int u^{4}-udu[/tex]
 
iRaid said:
Am I going about this the right way:
[tex]u^{3}=x^{2}+1\\3u^{2}du=2xdx\\\frac{3}{2} \int \frac{(u^{3}-1)(u^{2})}{u}du[/tex]
=[tex]\int u^{4}-udu[/tex]

Looks ok to me. In terms of x it's the same answer you got before, right?
 
Dick said:
Looks ok to me.

Seems like a much easier way to do this. I didn't know you could take the derivative of each side of the u-substitution like that also.

Thanks for the help :)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 105 ·
4
Replies
105
Views
11K
Replies
19
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K