Evaluate the integral (inverse trig)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the integral of the function 1/sqrt(2x-x²). Participants explore the connection to inverse trigonometric functions, particularly arcsin, and consider various methods for simplification and integration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants suggest completing the square as a potential method and discuss the transformation of the integral into a more manageable form. There are attempts to relate the integral to known formulas involving inverse trigonometric functions.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing guidance on algebraic manipulation and questioning assumptions about the transformations being made. Some participants express uncertainty about the correctness of their steps, while others confirm the validity of certain approaches.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the extent of direct solutions provided. There is a focus on understanding the integral's structure and the implications of various algebraic forms.

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Homework Statement


Evaluate the following integral:
(int)1/sqrt(2x-x2)dx


Homework Equations


d(arcsinx)/dx = 1/sqrt(1-x2)


The Attempt at a Solution


I just need a good start in the right direction on this one so I can at least try it. I know the arcsin d/dx as above, but how do I make this work? Is it some kind of integration by parts or reduction? I have no idea how to go about dealing with the sqrt(2x-x2) mostly, or how it would get there from arcsin...

any help you can give would be much appreciated!
 
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Try completing the square.
 
hm.. I'm trying that but still stuck, I get

int: 1/sqrt(x(2-x))dx, I can move the root up to the top easily enough by multiplying by sqrt(x(2-x))/sqrt(x(2-x)), but that doesn't help much. I found the formula relating a/sqrt(b+x2) to (a/sqrt(b))arctan(x/sqrt(b))+C, but that still doesn't help me with the 2x...
 
No no. -x^2 + 2x = -(x^2 - 2x) = -(ax + b)^2 + c. Find a, b, and c.

Once you do that, what happens if you let u = ax + b?
 
by that, it should be
-(x2-2x) = -((x-1)2-1), or a=1, b=-1, c=-1
so then, making u=x-1, du=1, it becomes

int{ du/sqrt(-u2-a2)

and that falls into the arccosh formula as:
cosh-1(-u/a)+c
or
cosh-1(-(x-1)/1)+c
cosh-1(1-x)+c, and that should be the final answer for the indefinate integral right? or can I just plug the -u in like that?
 
shft600 said:
by that, it should be
-(x2-2x) = -((x-1)2-1), or a=1, b=-1, c=-1
so then, making u=x-1, du=1, it becomes

int{ du/sqrt(-u2-a2)

and that falls into the arccosh formula as:
cosh-1(-u/a)+c
or
cosh-1(-(x-1)/1)+c
cosh-1(1-x)+c, and that should be the final answer for the indefinate integral right? or can I just plug the -u in like that?

Be careful. You are saying -(x-1)^2 - 1 = 2x - x^2?

What if x = 1? Then, -1 = 2 - 1 = 1, which is wrong. It should be -(x-1)^2 + 1.
So if we let u = x - 1
So, we have,
[tex] \int \frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - u^2}} du[/tex]
That should look more familiar.
 
ooh, my bad... so its equal to arcsin(x-1)+C !
 
Looks about right. : )
 

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