How do I integrate these two functions?

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    Functions Intergration
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of two specific functions: (6x-x^2)^(-1/2) and e/(e^(2x)-1). Participants explore various methods for integrating these functions, including integration by parts, trigonometric substitution, and partial fractions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in integrating (6x-x^2)^(-1/2) and suggests integration by parts as a potential method.
  • Another participant proposes using trigonometric substitution for the first integral, suggesting a substitution of x=6cos^2(u) to simplify the expression.
  • A different approach is presented, where the integral is rearranged to fit a standard form that allows for trigonometric substitution, discussing cases based on the sign of A in the quadratic expression.
  • For the second integral, participants discuss the substitution u=e^x, which transforms the integral into a simpler form involving 1/(u^2-1). They mention the use of partial fractions to further simplify the expression.
  • One participant raises a concern regarding the integration by parts for the second function, noting confusion about solving for constants when the denominator does not equal zero.
  • Another participant clarifies the partial fraction decomposition for the second integral, providing a specific breakdown of the expression 1/(u^2-1).

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple approaches to the integration problems, with no consensus on the best method for each integral. The discussion remains unresolved as participants explore different techniques and express confusion over certain steps.

Contextual Notes

Some participants' approaches depend on specific assumptions about the forms of the integrals, and there are unresolved mathematical steps in the integration processes discussed.

hhkeep21
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Hello, I'm having difficulty intergrating the following two functions:

1) (6x-x^2)^(-1/2)

I'm fairly sure that you need to intergrate by parts for this function, but I can't figure out how to do it

2) e/(e^(2x)-1)

This one I thought could do with inverse trig functions but I'm drawing a blank there also

Can someone please help me?
 
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1) [tex]\int \frac{1}{\sqrt{6x-x^2}} dx[/tex]

Whenever I see something like that, I take out as much of the x's from the square root as possible. So let's take out an x^2 :)

[tex]\int \frac{1}{\sqrt{6x-x^2}} dx = \int \frac{1}{\sqrt{x^2}\sqrt{\frac{6}{x} -1}}[/tex]

Now that's starting to look like something a trig substitution can help :)

I seem to remember [itex]\sec^2 u -1 = \tan^2 u[/itex] :)

So to make it very convenient, the 6/x would be nice to be sec^2 u.

So let x= 6 cos^2 u. Thats a nice substitution :)
2)[tex]\int \frac{e^x}{(e^x)^2-1} dx[/tex]

u=e^x, du = e^x dx

So it becomes [tex]\int \frac{1}{u^2-1} du[/tex]

To finish that off, realize the bottom factors by difference of two squares into (u+1)(u-1) and use partial fractions.
 
Last edited:
Thank you so much for your help, I really appreciate it
 
Gib Z said:
1) [tex]\int \frac{1}{\sqrt{6x-x^2}} dx[/tex]

Whenever I see something like that, I take out as much of the x's from the square root as possible. So let's take out an x^2 :)

[tex]\int \frac{1}{\sqrt{6x-x^2}} dx = \int \frac{1}{\sqrt{x^2}\sqrt{\frac{6}{x} -1}}[/tex]

A shorter version is:

[tex]\int \frac{dx}{\sqrt{6x - x ^ 2}} = \int \frac{dx}{\sqrt{- \left( -6x + x ^ 2 \right)}} = \int \frac{dx}{\sqrt{9 - \left( x ^ 2 - 6x + 9 \right)}} = \int \frac{dx}{\sqrt{9 - \left( x - 3 \right) ^ 2}} = ...[/tex]

--------------------

Usually, when you encounter the form:
[tex]\int \frac{dx}{\sqrt{Ax ^ 2 + Bx + C}}[/tex]
We divide it into 2 cases:
The first case is A > 0, we'll try to arrange the integral above to the form:
[tex]\int \frac{dx}{\sqrt{Ax ^ 2 + Bx + C}} = \int \frac{dx}{(mx + n) ^ 2 + \alpha ^ 2}[/tex]
Then use the substitution:
[tex]mx + n = \alpha \tan t[/tex]

The second case is A < 0, we'll re-arrange it to:
[tex]\int \frac{dx}{\sqrt{Ax ^ 2 + Bx + C}} = \int \frac{dx}{\alpha ^ 2 - (mx + n) ^ 2}[/tex]
Then use the substitution:
[tex]mx + n = \alpha sin t[/tex]

---------------------

Is it clear? Can you complete the problem now? :)
Your problem is in the second case. :smile:
 
Well I'm having difficulty with the parts problem now because you must make the denominator equal to zero to solve for A and B to solve the equation, but e^x + 1 never equals zero so I'm a little confused how to solve it?
 
Gib Z said:
1)

2)[tex]\int \frac{e^x}{(e^x)^2-1} dx[/tex]

u=e^x, du = e^x dx

So it becomes [tex]\int \frac{1}{u^2-1} du[/tex]

To finish that off, realize the bottom factors by difference of two squares into (u+1)(u-1) and use partial fractions.

[tex]\frac{1}{u^2-1}=\frac{1}{2(u-1)}-\frac{1}{2(u+1)}[/tex]

Does that help?
 

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