How can I correctly solve the integral of (x^2)/((x^2+1)^2) step by step?

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SUMMARY

The integral of (x^2)/((x^2+1)^2) is solved using integration by parts, yielding the result (1/2)*(x/(x^2+1)) - (1/2)*arctan(x) + C. The steps involve rewriting the integral as (1/2)*Integral(x d(1/(x^2+1))) and applying the integration by parts formula ∫u v' = uv - ∫v u'. The discussion clarifies common misunderstandings and emphasizes the importance of including the constant of integration.

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Alexx1
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The answer of the integral of (x^2)/((x^2+1)^2) is (1/2)(arctan(x)-(x/x^2+1))

In class, we've seen the steps to solve this integral, but I don't understand certain steps..
Can someone explain me how to solve this integral, step by step?
 
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If you can post the steps and point out those that you didn't understand then I'm sure someone can help you.

BTW. The easiest way to do that one is "integration by parts". Have you learned this technique yet?
 
uart said:
If you can post the steps and point out those that you didn't understand then I'm sure someone can help you.

BTW. The easiest way to do that one is "integration by parts". Have you learned this technique yet?

Sure, no problem, here are the steps:

Integral((x^2)/((x^2+1)^2)dx)
= (1/2)*Integral(x d(1/(x^2+1))
= (1/2)*(x/(x^2+1))-(1/2)*Integral(1/(x^2+1)dx)
= (1/2)*(x/(x^2+1))-(arctan(x))/2

Last step is the answer

(The answer I said earlier was wrong, this is the correct answer:(1/2)*(x/(x^2+1))-(arctan(x))/2)

Thank you
 
\int\frac{x^2}{(x^2 + 1)^2} = \int x \frac{x}{(x^2 + 1)^2}

Using ∫u v' = uv - ∫v u',
let u = x and v' = x/(x2 + 1)2
 
It's basically separating it into parts ie.\int \frac{x^2}{(x^2+1)^2}\rightarrow \int \frac{x}{1}.\frac{x}{(x^2+1)^2}\equiv x(x. \sin(\arctan(x)))

as

\frac{x}{1}=\frac{1}{2}x^2

and x\frac{x}{(1+x)^2}=x.\sin(\arctan(x))

By the trig identity.

Thus the answer is:

\int\frac{x^2}{(x^2+1)^2}=-\frac{1}{2}.\frac{x}{(x^2+1)}+\frac{1}{2}\arctan(x)+C

Don't forget the constant of integration, it's a silly way to loose marks. :smile:
 
Last edited:
Thank you both!
 
Alexx1 said:
Thank you both!

np Bhorok's answer is more elegant and easier, but I thought you might need a long winded explanation and there's often more than one way to swing a cat I guess. Hope it helped. :smile:
 
Alexx1 said:
The answer of the integral of (x^2)/((x^2+1)^2) is (1/2)(arctan(x)-(x/x^2+1))

In class, we've seen the steps to solve this integral, but I don't understand certain steps..
Can someone explain me how to solve this integral, step by step?

since you have the answer, take its derivative & work backwards. that's how to figure it out. just don't show anyone your rough work :-p
 
Alexx1 said:
Sure, no problem, here are the steps:

Integral((x^2)/((x^2+1)^2)dx)
= (1/2)*Integral(x d(-1[/color]/(x^2+1))
= (-1[/color]/2)*(x/(x^2+1)) -[/color](1/2)*Integral(1/(x^2+1)dx)
= -[/color](1/2)*(x/(x^2+1))+[/color](arctan(x))/2

Last step is the answer

(The answer I said earlier was wrong, this is the correct answer:(1/2)*(x/(x^2+1))-(arctan(x))/2)

Thank you

No the original answer was correct, you dropped a minus sign in the first line of this derivation.
 

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