Evaluating an Integral: √1+y^2-(cothφ)ydy

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

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the integral of the expression √(1+y²) - (cothφ)y dy. Participants are exploring the use of trigonometric substitution and integration techniques related to this integral.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to evaluate the integral using the substitution y = tanφ and expresses concerns about the correctness of their approach, particularly regarding the integration of the (cothφ)y term.
  • Some participants question the integration steps and suggest clarifying the substitution variable to avoid confusion.
  • There is discussion about the derivative dy and its implications for the integral, with participants exploring the identity related to 1 + tan²θ.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, offering insights and corrections to each other's reasoning. There is a recognition of the need for clarity in variable substitution and integration techniques, but no consensus has been reached on the final evaluation of the integral.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of trigonometric identities and integration techniques, with some expressing uncertainty about the correct application of substitutions and the resulting expressions.

mikemichiel
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Hey i have this integral √1+y^2-(cothφ)ydy(with the square root on consisting of 1+y^2. I evaluated it but I just want to you guys to check and see if you think its good. For the radical part I used a trig substitution y=tanφ
The integral of tanφ is
ln |sec x|
And for the (cothφ)y part I figured it would just be (cothφ)y^2/2 because the function is in terms of dy and I figured I just integrate with respect to y. So this gives me the final answer
ln |sec x|-(cothφ)y^2/2 for my final. Does this look good to you guys? My only concern about this is since my y=tanφ would I have to substitute it for the the y after the cothφ?
Or I might be thinking of this completely wrong. Need advice!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
[tex]\int ( \sqrt{1+y^2} -y coth \phi) dy[/tex]

if that is your integral, then your final answer is wrong I believe.

For

[tex]\int \sqrt{1+y^2} dy[/tex]

if y=tan[itex]\theta[/itex], then what is dy= ?
Then you will need to integrate more than tan[itex]\theta[/itex]
 
so my dy would be sec^2φ.
So if i plug that in il get
ln |sec x|-ycothφsec^2φ. So would i have to plug in my y=tanφ for my y in front of the cothφ? If not would it just be ln |sec x|-y^2/2cothφsec^2φ?
 
mikemichiel said:
so my dy would be sec^2φ.
So if i plug that in il get
ln |sec x|-ycothφsec^2φ. So would i have to plug in my y=tanφ for my y in front of the cothφ? If not would it just be ln |sec x|-y^2/2cothφsec^2φ?

Well firstly it is not wise to put the substituting variable as a symbol in the the integrand.

So if you put y=tan[itex]\theta[/itex], use [itex]\theta[/itex] as the new variable and not [itex]\phi[/itex]


In your original post, -(cothφ)y2/2 this part is correct. It is the first anti-derivative that is wrong.

so back to it now. Yes dy= sec[itex]^2 \theta \ d\theta[/itex]

[tex]\int \sqrt{1+y^2} dy \equiv \int (\sqrt{1+tan^2\theta} )sec^2\theta d\theta[/tex]

Now do you know an identity for [itex]1+tan^2 \theta[/itex] ?
 
yes it would be sec^2φ. Then I would square that and it would become secφ then multiply it be the sec^2φ I had for my dy. So I am basically integrating sec^3φ?
 
mikemichiel said:
yes it would be sec^2φ. Then I would square that and it would become secφ then multiply it be the sec^2φ I had for my dy. So I am basically integrating sec^3φ?

yep.
 
thanks!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K