Euler substitution (Good sources)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding good sources for understanding Euler substitutions, particularly in the context of evaluating integrals. Participants express interest in both theoretical explanations and practical applications, including comparisons with other substitution methods.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about good sources, including books, online materials, and videos, for learning about Euler substitutions.
  • One participant suggests that Euler substitutions should be covered in integral and differential calculus books, although another disagrees based on personal experience.
  • There is a discussion about the clarity and quality of explanations in different textbooks, with some participants expressing frustration over inadequate resources.
  • Participants discuss specific forms of substitutions related to integrals, with one participant providing examples of three substitutions they believe are Euler substitutions.
  • Another participant questions the context of these substitutions, asking whether they are for evaluating integrals, differential equations, or other types of problems.
  • Some participants express a desire to understand when to use Euler substitutions versus trigonometric substitutions, and whether certain integrals are best solved using these methods.
  • One participant suggests that what the original poster may be looking for is Abel substitution, providing a brief explanation of it.
  • There is skepticism about finding an entire book dedicated to Euler substitutions, with suggestions that sections or chapters in broader texts may cover the topic.
  • Participants discuss the utility of WolframAlpha for evaluating integrals and how it demonstrates the substitution process, although there is a note about the limitations of the tool.
  • One participant mentions that the choice of substitution may depend on ensuring the square root remains real, hinting at the complexity of the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the availability of resources or the terminology used for substitutions. There are multiple competing views regarding the effectiveness of different methods and the clarity of existing literature.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the definitions and terminology related to substitutions, as well as the applicability of different methods to various types of integrals. There is also a mention of the influence of complex numbers on the choice of substitution.

Nebuchadnezza
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Anyone know any good sources to read about Euler substitutions from?

Both online and books would be suffice. Also videos, if there are any.

All help would be greatly appreciated =)
 
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Shouldn't it be in any integral and differential calculus books?
 
Well it is not in my book =(

And ofcourse different books explain things in different ways. Some good and some horrendous. So I was wondering if anyone knew about a book having a clear, good explenation of it.
 
Are you meaning integrals and derivatives with e^x, e^u, ln x & ln u ?

A solid grasp of the substitution guidelines is a great starting point.

Are you looking principles like, when integrating,
Choose the most complex u, which has the derivative of u multiplied elsewhere in the integrand.
?

I don't or rarely see those principles written in textbooks. Usually, the professor or a tutor is the best source for guidelines. Most colleges have free tutoring clinics available with varying instructional quality. Several in my area will tutor students from other colleges.
 
I was talking about three substitutions, I thought they were called euler substitutions. But I had a hard time finding them left.

[tex]\sqrt{ax^2+bx+c}=t-\sqrt{a}x[/tex]

[tex]\sqrt{ax^2+bx+c}=xt + \sqrt{c}[/tex]

[tex]\sqrt{ax^2+bx+c}=x(t-c)[/tex]'


Sorry about my english, nt sure what these are called.
 
Again give us a context.
Are these for evaluating integrals? For differential equations? Something else like cubic and higher degree equations?
 
Yeah, they are for evaluating integrals. Called euler substitutions, or atleast I think they are calle thath.

I sort of want to know when these are useful, when to preffer one over the other one. When to use this over for example trigonometric substitution. Also wondering if there are any integrals that "must" be solved by this method

Just looking for books about this =)
 
I think what you may be looking for is Abel substitution. It is basically t = sqrt(ax^2+bx+c). After that a simple linear transformation will give your examples.
 
I doubt you'll find an entire book on it. One might find a section using it or an entire chapter using it.
I google Able substitution which led me to Abel transforms. Not much success there.
Can you give me some example integrals you're trying to evaluate?
I can probably figure out application methods with more details.

Neither
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=integral+1%2F+root+%28ax^2%2Bbx%2Bc%29+dx
nor
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=integral+root+%28ax^2%2Bbx%2Bc%29+dx
are known to WolframAlpha, the most extensive, free computer integrator that exists. So I need at least a few examples to help you.
 
  • #10
Correction to previous post:
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=integral+%28ax^2%2Bbx%2Bc%29+^.5dx
and
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=integral+1%2F+%28ax^2%2Bbx%2Bc%29+^.5dx

both evaluate. The show steps feature on the first link shows the substitution and uses one of yours. Notice how WolframAlpha, abbreviated W|A, first completes the square, then does the substitution?
So we've got a way to see how it works in practice. Perhaps ask WolframAlpha enough integrals and you figure out the how and why?

As to when to use these vs. when to use trig. substitution, trig. substitution on [itex]\sqrt{trinomial}[/itex] is probably even uglier than the method W|A shows. So wouldn't it make sense to use these for [itex]\sqrt{trinomial}[/itex], but trig. substitution for forms similar to [itex]\sqrt{1\pm x^2}[/itex]?

I've reached the limit of how I can help. God bless you & bye.
 
  • #11
One more thought occurred to me. The choice of which of the three t expressions to substitute will be influenced by what makes the square root real? Unless, you've learned or are learning calculus of complex numbers.
 

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