How To Integrate Rational Functions with Linear Numerators and Denominators?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around integrating rational functions with linear numerators and denominators, specifically focusing on three integrals: ##\int x^2 \ln x \ dx##, ##\int \frac{(x+1)^2}{x}dx##, and ##\int \frac{x-2}{x+3}dx##. Participants explore various integration techniques, including integration by parts and algebraic manipulation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of integration by parts for the first integral but express difficulty in finding a successful approach. There are attempts to set different variables for substitution, but these do not yield satisfactory results. For the second and third integrals, some participants suggest that algebraic manipulation may be necessary, and hints are requested for guidance.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided hints and suggestions for manipulating the integrals, particularly for the second problem, where expanding the square is recommended. There is acknowledgment of progress made on the first integral after receiving hints, but the remaining integrals still require further exploration and clarification.

Contextual Notes

Participants are encouraged to provide more details about their attempted solutions, and there is a focus on understanding the integration techniques rather than simply arriving at the answers. The discussion reflects an ongoing exploration of methods without reaching a consensus on the best approach for all problems.

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Homework Statement



FIRST
##\int x^2 \ln x \ dx##

SECOND
##\int \frac{(x+1)^2}{x}dx##

THIRD
##\int \frac{x-2}{x+3}dx##

Homework Equations



N/A

The Attempt at a Solution


I tried using the integration by part method but it doesn't work.

For the FIRST problem:
Setting ##u=x^2## or ##u=\ln x## is not solving the problem.

For the SECOND problem:
Setting ##u=x+1## or ##u=x## is not solving the problem.

For the THIRD problem:
Setting ##u=x-2## or ##u=x+3## is not solving the problem.
 
Last edited:
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You need to provide more details than this on your attempted solution. Show us what you did and what you got.
 
Orodruin said:
You need to provide more details than this on your attempted solution. Show us what you did and what you got.

For the FIRST problem:
Setting ##u=x^2## or ##u=\ln x## is not solving the problem.

For the SECOND problem:
Setting ##u=x+1## or ##u=x## is not solving the problem.

For the THIRD problem:
Setting ##u=x-2## or ##u=x+3## is not solving the problem.
 
What is u? show how did you proceed in the first case.
How do you do the integration by parts?
 
Give me some hints.
 
basty said:

Homework Statement



FIRST
##\int x^2 \ln x \ dx##

SECOND
##\int \frac{(x+1)^2}{x}dx##

THIRD
##\int \frac{x-2}{x+3}dx##

Homework Equations



N/A

The Attempt at a Solution


I tried using the integration by part method but it doesn't work.

For the FIRST problem:
Setting ##u=x^2## or ##u=\ln x## is not solving the problem.

Differentiating [itex]\ln x[/itex] and integrating [itex]x^2[/itex] is the correct method. What did you get when you tried it?

The remaining two problems do not require integration by parts. They can be done by direct integration after some algebraic manipulation of the integrand.
 
pasmith said:
Differentiating [itex]\ln x[/itex] and integrating [itex]x^2[/itex] is the correct method. What did you get when you tried it?

Thank you

This is the FIRST problem's solution done by me after getting a hint from you:
let ##u=\ln x## then ##\frac{du}{dx}=\frac{1}{x}## or ##du=\frac{1}{x}dx##
let ##dv=x^2## then ##v=\frac{1}{3}x^3##

So ##\int x^2 \ln x \ dx = u.v-\int v.du##
##=\ln x . \frac{1}{3}x^3-\int\frac{1}{3}x^3(\frac{1}{x}dx)##
##=\ln x . \frac{1}{3}x^3-\frac{1}{3}\int\frac{x^3}{x}dx##
##=\ln x . \frac{1}{3}x^3-\frac{1}{3}\int x^2dx##
##=\ln x . \frac{1}{3}x^3-\frac{1}{3}[\frac{1}{3}x^3+c]##
##=\ln x . \frac{1}{3}x^3-\frac{1}{9}x^3+c##
CMIIW.

pasmith said:
The remaining two problems do not require integration by parts. They can be done by direct integration after some algebraic manipulation of the integrand.

How to do the algebraic manipulation? I don't understand. Give some hints again for the SECOND and THIRD problem.
 
expand the square in the second problem.
 
ehild said:
expand the square in the second problem.

You're right!

##\int\frac{(x+1)^2}{x}dx##
##=\int\frac{x^2+2x+1}{x}dx##
##=\int\frac{x^2}{x}dx+\int\frac{2x}{x}dx+\int\frac{1}{x}dx##
##=\int x \ dx+2\int dx+\int\frac{1}{x}dx##
##=\frac{1}{2}x^2+2x+\ln x+c##

Is it correct?

One more problem to solve.

Give me a hint.
 
  • #10
Write the numerator as the sum (x+3) -5.

You have the integral
##
\int \frac{(x+3)-5}{x+3}dx=\int 1-\frac{5}{x+3}dx
##
 

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