How to evaluate this indefinite integral?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the indefinite integral of the function \(\int \frac{\sqrt{x^4-1}}{x^3}dx\), which involves techniques from calculus and integral evaluation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore different substitution methods, such as using trigonometric identities, and question the validity of taking \(x^3\) inside the square root to simplify the integral. There is also a mention of a potential miscalculation in one participant's approach.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing various attempts and questioning each other's reasoning. Some guidance is offered regarding simplification strategies, but no consensus on a definitive solution has been reached.

Contextual Notes

There appears to be confusion regarding the manipulation of terms within the integral, and participants are addressing potential errors in their calculations and assumptions about the integral's structure.

shakgoku
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Homework Statement



\int \frac{\sqrt{x^4-1}}{x^3}dx

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



tried substituting x^4 = \sec^2 \theta to get rid of square root but it was of no use because, I got another complex integral \int \frac{\sin^2\theta}{\cos^{\frac{3}{4}} \theta}d\theta

Is there an easy way to solve this problem?
 
Last edited:
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why can't u take x^3 inside square root. Then it will be simplified to
sqrt(1-x^2)/x which is easier to integrate
 
test!
The quadratic formula is
http://texify.com/$x=\frac{-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}$
 
Last edited by a moderator:
n.karthick said:
why can't u take x^3 inside square root. Then it will be simplified to
sqrt(1-x^2)/x which is easier to integrate

I don't get it. if we take x^3 inside we get,

\int \sqrt{\frac{x^4-1}{x^6}}dx=\int \sqrt{\frac{1}{x^2}-\frac{1}{x^6}}dx
 
I just realized I made a blunder in calculation.
That substitution yields
\int \frac{\sin^2\theta}{cos \theta}d \theta=\int \frac{1-\cos^2\theta}{\cos \theta} d\theta

and finally it is equal to,

\int \sec \theta d\theta-\int \cos\theta d\theta = \ln |x^2+\frac{\sqrt{1-x^2}}{x^2}|-\sqrt{1-x^2}+C

Which is the answer!
:peace:
 

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