How Can You Integrate 1/(sqrt(x)-x)?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of the function 1/(sqrt(x)-x), exploring various substitution methods and transformations to simplify the integral.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss different substitution methods, including using t = sqrt(x) and x = v^2. There are attempts to manipulate the integrand into a more manageable form, with some participants expressing uncertainty about the correctness of their transformations.

Discussion Status

Several participants have provided insights and alternative methods, with some expressing confusion over the results and the validity of their approaches. There is an ongoing exploration of the relationships between the variables and the correctness of the derived expressions.

Contextual Notes

Some participants question the assumptions made during substitutions, particularly regarding the relationships between v and x. There is also mention of discrepancies between derived answers and textbook solutions, prompting further investigation into the methods used.

beanryu
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Homework Statement


integrate 1/(sqrt(x)-x)


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



1st I tried to do it the "regular" way, I know that it must be the derivative of

ln(sqrt(x)-x), but the derivative of sqrt(x)-x is not 1. So I added stuff to the equation to make it like 1/(sqrt(x)-x) = ((1/2)(x)^(-1/2)-(1/2)(x)^(-1/2)-1+2)/(sqrt(x)-x)... and more things goes on and I got something like (4*sqrt(x)-1)/(2*(x-x*sqrt(x)))... which is obviously not the answer.

2nd I tried to use t = sqrt(x) and 1/(sqrt(x)-x) = dt^2/(t-t^2), but I have no idea how to solve this...
 
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is your problem?

\int\frac{dx}{\sqrt{x}-x}
 
yeah
 
beanryu said:
2nd I tried to use t = sqrt(x) and 1/(sqrt(x)-x) = dt^2/(t-t^2), but I have no idea how to solve this...
If t=sqrt(x), then dt/dx=1/(2sqrt(x))=1/(2t). So your integrand should become 2t/(t-t^2). It should be pretty easy to take it from here.
 
When you have the square root of something in an integral, it's offen helpful to make the substitution u2 = thing that's under the square root sign.
 
is the answer :

2* ln(1-x^2) +c
 
transgalactic = beanryu?

And did you try differentiating it and check what comes out?
 
i tried the method of
x=v^2

it gives me that answer

2* ln(1-x^2) +c

beanryu is it the right answer??
 
Last edited:
transgalactic said:
i tried the method of
x=v^2

it gives me that answer

2* ln(1-x^2) +c

beanryu is it the right answer??

Take the derivative and if you get the same thing that is in your integral, you are right.
 
  • #10
unfortunately no


but where i did wrong

{ is integral sign

i
made x=v^2 >>> dx=2v*dv



then it gives us

{ (2v*dv)/(v-v^2) that gives us

{ 2*dv/(1-v) = 2*ln(1-v) = 2*ln(1-x^2)
 
Last edited:
  • #11
1) The integral of dv/(1-v) is NOT ln(1-v). (Close, but not quite. Hint: if you define u=v-1, what do you get?)

2) v is NOT equal to x^2.
 
  • #12
its -ln(1-v)
right??

what do meen v is not equal to x^2
i defined that
 
  • #13
No, you defined v^2 = x.
What does that make v?

(By the way, you're correct on the -ln(1-v) now)
 
  • #14
aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh
damn little mistakes
 
  • #15
if x=v^2 >>> shouldn't dx = d(v^2)?
 
  • #16
i got the answer,
my answer is (-2)ln(sqrt(x)-1) using u^2 = x method,

than the answer in the textbook is (-2)ln(1-sqrt(x)),

I took both derivativea they are the same... weird...

if dx/(sqrt(x)-x) = dy/(tan(y)), should I use answer (-2)*ln(1-sqrt(x)), because this is the function of x when x<1.

thank you guys~
 
Last edited:
  • #17
dx = d(v^2)=2v*dv
 

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