Difficult Integral of a Rational Function

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a challenging integral of a rational function, specifically the integral of the form -∫(dI)/(I(R+BI+CI²)). Participants explore various methods for solving the integral, including substitution techniques and partial fraction decomposition.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in solving the integral and suggests the need for a substitution that is not immediately clear.
  • Another participant provides a solution derived using Mathematica, indicating a more complex answer that may not be easily replicated by hand.
  • A different approach is proposed involving the decomposition of the integrand into simpler fractions, suggesting integration by inspection or substitution for one term and completing the square for another.
  • One participant reports successfully solving the integral after engaging with the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion includes multiple approaches to solving the integral, with no consensus on a single method being established as the best or most straightforward. Participants share differing techniques and experiences without resolving which is superior.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention challenges with specific substitution methods and the effectiveness of different integration techniques, indicating potential limitations in their approaches.

dgonnella89
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Hey guys I'm wondering if someone could hep me solve this integral. I've been working at it for a few days now (as part of a project I'm doing over the summer) and have gotten stuck. I think I need to make some substitution but I can't see what it is to make.

[tex]-\int\frac{dI}{I(R+BI+CI^2)}[/tex]

I decomposed using partial fractions and reduced it to this:

[tex]-\frac{1}{R}\int{\frac{dI}{I}+\frac{(CI+B)dI}{R+BI+CI^2}}[/tex]

I think I need to make another substitution here for the right-hand part of the integral. Simple U substitution doesn't work but I'm not sure of another method that would help. I tried completing the square for the polynomial on the bottom but that didn't seem to help.

Any help would be really appreciated! Thanks
 
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[tex] -\int\frac{d x}{x(R+B x+C x^2)} = -\frac{\frac{2 B \tan ^{-1}\left(\frac{B+2 C x}{\sqrt{4 C<br /> R-B^2}}\right)}{\sqrt{4 C R-B^2}}+\log (x (B+C x)+R)-2 \log (x)}{2<br /> R}[/tex]
 
Yes I got that answer with mathematica but I need to be able to solve it by hand. Is it possible?
 
[tex] \frac{CI + B}{R + BI + CI^2} = \frac{CI + B/2}{R + BI + CI^2} + \frac{B/2}{R + BI + CI^2} = \frac{1}{2} \frac{2CI + B}{R + BI + CI^2} + \frac{B/2}{R + BI + CI^2}[/tex]

Integrate the first term above by inspection or by a simple substitution to get a ln. Complete the square for the denominator of the second term to get an arctan.
 
Ok I was able to do it now thanks!
 

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