Further applications of integration

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the evaluation of the integral $\int_{\pi/3}^{\pi} \ \sqrt{1+\frac{4}{x^2}} \, dx$. Participants explore various methods of integration, including trigonometric substitutions and simplifications, while seeking clarity on the steps involved in solving the integral.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests a step-by-step walkthrough of the integral, indicating a desire for clarity on the process.
  • Another participant proposes a substitution $x=2\tan(\theta)$ and provides a series of transformations leading to a new integral form, but expresses uncertainty about the next steps.
  • A different participant suggests an alternative substitution and provides a detailed evaluation of the integral, including limits and simplifications, but acknowledges potential discrepancies with previous results.
  • There are corrections made regarding the placement of variables in logarithmic expressions, highlighting the importance of careful attention to detail in integration steps.
  • Participants express confusion and seek clarification on specific steps, indicating that the process is not straightforward for everyone involved.
  • Some participants confirm that their final expressions for the integral match after corrections, but the discussion reflects ongoing uncertainty about the methods used and the results obtained.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no clear consensus on the best method to evaluate the integral, as participants present different approaches and corrections. Some agree on the final forms of their results after adjustments, while others remain uncertain about their calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants express confusion over specific steps in the integration process, and there are references to previous discussions that may not be fully resolved. The discussion includes various substitutions and transformations that may depend on individual interpretations of the integral.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students or individuals interested in integration techniques, particularly those seeking to understand different methods of evaluating definite integrals involving square roots and trigonometric substitutions.

ineedhelpnow
Messages
649
Reaction score
0
so i know I've asked this question before but id really like a step by step walk through with a few questions. starting with $\int_{\pi/3}^{\pi} \ \sqrt{1+\frac{4}{x^2}},dx$

i know I am not showing any work but id like to see how to this can properly be done. thanks

wait never mind i think i got it
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
i didnt put the integral sign for each step
$\int_{\pi/3}^{\pi} \ \sqrt{1+\frac{4}{x^2}},dx = \sqrt{\frac{x^2+4}{x^2}} = \frac{\sqrt{x^2+4}}{x}$
let $x=2\tan\left({\theta}\right)$ and $dx=2(\sec\left({\theta}\right))^{2}$
$\frac{\sqrt{4(\tan\left({\theta}\right))^2+4}}{2\tan\left({\theta}\right)} \times (\sec\left({\theta}\right))^{2}$
all i did then was simplify that until i got to $\frac{1}{2} \int_{\pi/3}^{\pi} \ \frac{1}{\sin\left({\theta}\right)} d\theta + 2\int_{\pi/3}^{\pi} \ \tan\left({\theta}\right) \times \sec\left({\theta}\right) d\theta$

what do i do now? do i do u-sub?
 
This is how I would work the problem:

We are given to evaluate:

$$I=\int_{\frac{\pi}{3}}^{\pi}\sqrt{1+\left(\frac{2}{x}\right)^2}\,dx$$

Make the substitution:

$$\frac{2}{x}=\tan(\theta)\implies x=2\cot(\theta)\,\therefore\,dx=-2\csc^2(\theta)\,d\theta$$

To change our limits, consider:

$$\theta=\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{2}{x}\right)$$

And so we now have:

$$I=2\int_{\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{2}{\pi}\right)}^{\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{6}{\pi}\right)} \sec(\theta)\csc^2(\theta)\,d\theta$$

Using the Pythagorean identity:

$$\csc^2(\theta)=1+\cot^2(\theta)$$

We may now write:

$$I=2\int_{\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{2}{\pi}\right)}^{\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{6}{\pi}\right)} \sec(\theta)+\cot(\theta)\csc(\theta)\,d\theta$$

Applying the FTOC, we obtain:

$$I=2\left[\ln\left|\sec(\theta)+\tan(\theta)\right|-\csc(\theta)\right]_{\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{2}{\pi}\right)}^{\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{6}{\pi}\right)}=2\left(\left(\ln\left(\frac{6+\sqrt{\pi^2+36}}{\pi}\right)-\frac{\sqrt{\pi^2+36}}{6}\right)-\left(\ln\left(\frac{2+\sqrt{\pi^2+4}}{\pi}\right)-\frac{\sqrt{\pi^2+4}}{2}\right)\right)$$

Simplifying, we get:

$$I=2\left(\ln\left(\frac{6+\sqrt{\pi^2+36}}{2+\sqrt{\pi^2+4}}\right)+\frac{3\sqrt{\pi^2+4}-\sqrt{\pi^2+36}}{6}\right)$$
 
ineedhelpnow said:
i didnt put the integral sign for each step
$\int_{\pi/3}^{\pi} \ \sqrt{1+\frac{4}{x^2}},dx = \sqrt{\frac{x^2+4}{x^2}} = \frac{\sqrt{x^2+4}}{x}$
let $x=2\tan\left({\theta}\right)$ and $dx=2(\sec\left({\theta}\right))^{2}$
$\frac{\sqrt{4(\tan\left({\theta}\right))^2+4}}{2\tan\left({\theta}\right)} \times (\sec\left({\theta}\right))^{2}$
all i did then was simplify that until i got to $\frac{1}{2} \int_{\pi/3}^{\pi} \ \frac{1}{\sin\left({\theta}\right)} d\theta + 2\int_{\pi/3}^{\pi} \ \tan\left({\theta}\right) \times \sec\left({\theta}\right) d\theta$

what do i do now? do i do u-sub?

In the other thread I told you step by step what to do, which was essentially identical to what you just posted here. I also went further and told you how to continue.
 
@Prove It
I tried it this way to see if it would work because it seemed simple then I went back and did it your way again and I got stuck.
 
ineedhelpnow said:
@Prove It
I tried it this way to see if it would work because it seemed simple then I went back and did it your way again and I got stuck.

I told you the very next step already. Go back and re-read it.
 
the substitution? I did that but I ended up getting lost. I found another way to do and it's pretty simple, the only problem I'm having with it is trying to simplify the final answer.
 
$y=2\ln\left({x}\right) from \pi/3 to \pi$

$\int_{\pi/3}^{\pi} \ \sqrt{x+(\frac{2}{x})^2}dx = \int_{\pi/3}^{\pi} \ \sqrt{x+\frac{4}{x^2}}dx
= \int_{\pi/3}^{\pi} \ \sqrt{\frac{x^2+4}{x^2}}dx = \int_{\pi/3}^{\pi} \ \frac{\sqrt{x^2+2^2}}{x}dx
= [\sqrt{4+x^2}-2\ln\left({\frac{2+\sqrt{4+x^2}}{2}}\right)]_{\pi/3}^{\pi} = [\sqrt{4+\pi^2}-2\ln\left({\frac{2+\sqrt{4+\pi^2}}{2}}\right)]-[\sqrt{4+\pi^2/9}-2\ln\left({\frac{2+\sqrt{4+\pi^2/9}}{2}}\right)]$

is that correct?
 
Your final value for the definite integral is slightly different from the result I posted above, and I think I see why. According to the table of integrals in my old calculus textbook, there results:

$$\int\frac{\sqrt{a^2+u^2}}{u}\,du=\sqrt{a^2+u^2}-a\ln\left|\frac{a+\sqrt{a^2+u^2}}{u}\right|+C$$

It appears that you put $a$ in the denominator of the natural log function instead of $u$. Correcting this will give you the same result I gave above.
 
  • #10
oh that totally slipped past me. I didn't even notice, I'll fix it now.
 
  • #11
$\int_{\pi/3}^{\pi} \ \sqrt{x+(\frac{2}{x})^2}dx = \int_{\pi/3}^{\pi} \ \sqrt{x+\frac{4}{x^2}}dx
= \int_{\pi/3}^{\pi} \ \sqrt{\frac{x^2+4}{x^2}}dx = \int_{\pi/3}^{\pi} \ \frac{\sqrt{x^2+2^2}}{x}dx
= [\sqrt{4+x^2}-2\ln\left({\frac{2+\sqrt{4+x^2}}{x}}\right)]_{\pi/3}^{\pi} = [\sqrt{4+\pi^2}-2\ln\left({\frac{2+\sqrt{4+\pi^2}}{\pi}}\right)]-[\sqrt{4+\pi^2/9}-2\ln\left({\frac{2+\sqrt{4+\pi^2/9}}{\pi/3}}\right)]$

now is it right?
 
  • #12
ineedhelpnow said:
$\int_{\pi/3}^{\pi} \ \sqrt{x+(\frac{2}{x})^2}dx = \int_{\pi/3}^{\pi} \ \sqrt{x+\frac{4}{x^2}}dx
= \int_{\pi/3}^{\pi} \ \sqrt{\frac{x^2+4}{x^2}}dx = \int_{\pi/3}^{\pi} \ \frac{\sqrt{x^2+2^2}}{x}dx
= [\sqrt{4+x^2}-2\ln\left({\frac{2+\sqrt{4+x^2}}{x}}\right)]_{\pi/3}^{\pi} = [\sqrt{4+\pi^2}-2\ln\left({\frac{2+\sqrt{4+\pi^2}}{\pi}}\right)]-[\sqrt{4+\pi^2/9}-2\ln\left({\frac{2+\sqrt{4+\pi^2/9}}{\pi/3}}\right)]$

now is it right?

Yes, now it is equivalent to the value I gave, which I verified with W|A before posting.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
5K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K