I How Do You Integrate 1/√(x^3 + x^2 + x + 1) dx?

  • I
  • Thread starter Thread starter askor
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Dx Integrate
Click For Summary
The integration of 1/√(x^3 + x^2 + x + 1) dx is complex and involves elliptic integrals, which are not typically covered in standard calculus courses. A suggested approach is to factor the polynomial as (x^2 + 1)(x + 1) and use a substitution like x^2 + 1 = u. The discussion highlights the importance of considering the integral's bounds for a finite result, specifically noting that x must be greater than or equal to -1. Resources like Wolfram Alpha can provide insights into the complexity of the integral, indicating whether a solution exists or if it is complicated. The topic of elliptic integrals is presented as an interesting area for further research and study.
askor
Messages
168
Reaction score
9
How do you integrate ##\frac{1}{\sqrt{x^3 + x^2 + x + 1}} \, dx##?

Please give me some hints and clues.

Thank you
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I would write the polynomial as ##(x^2+1)(x+1)## and try a suitable substitution like ##x^2+1=u## or similar.
 
  • Like
Likes pinball1970
Do you have specific bounds to integrate between? Wolfram alpha suggests the answer to this is you do not.
 
Elliptic integrals!
 
For
x^3+x^2+x+1 \ge 0
x \ge -1
You should take care of integral interval for finite and real result.
 
askor said:
How do you integrate ##\frac{1}{\sqrt{x^3 + x^2 + x + 1}} \, dx##?

Please give me some hints and clues.
It's a pretty interesting subject, elliptic integrals and functions if you're into that sort of thing. Check Wikipedia article: Elliptic integrals

. . . , with the appropriate reduction formula, every elliptic integral can be brought into a form that involves integrals over rational functions and the three Legendre canonical forms (i.e. the elliptic integrals of the first, second and third kind).

So it looks like you can express your integand as rational functions and the first, second, and third elliptical integrals and compute them using arithemetic-geometric means as per the reference. Sounds like an interesting research project but looks like it would take a bit of effort.
 
So, it's an advance integration that did not taught in standard Calculus textbook, am I right?

May I know what book that teach an integration like this?
 
What about this?

$$\int \frac{1}{\sqrt{x^3 + 6x^2 + 11x + 6}} \, dx$$

How do you integrate above?

Please give me a clues and hints.