How to Solve an Integral with Fractions and Long Division?

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter tmt1
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Fractions Integral
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The integral $$\int \frac{1}{\sqrt{x} - x^{\frac{1}{3}}} \,dx$$ can be solved by substituting $u^6 = x$, leading to the transformed integral $$6 \int \frac{u^5}{u^3 - u^2} \,du$$. This simplifies to $$6 \int \frac{u^3}{u - 1} \,du$$. Further substitution with $v = u - 1$ allows for the integral to be expressed as $$6\int \frac{(v + 1)^3}{v} \,dv$$, which can be expanded and integrated term by term. The process involves polynomial long division and careful handling of the resulting terms.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of integral calculus
  • Familiarity with substitution methods in integration
  • Knowledge of polynomial long division
  • Ability to manipulate algebraic expressions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study polynomial long division techniques in calculus
  • Learn advanced substitution methods for integrals
  • Explore integration of rational functions
  • Practice solving integrals involving roots and powers
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in mathematics, particularly those focusing on calculus and integral equations, will benefit from this discussion. It is also useful for educators teaching integration techniques.

tmt1
Messages
230
Reaction score
0
I have this integral:

$$\int_{}^{} \frac{1}{\sqrt{x} - {x}^{\frac{1}{3}}} \,dx$$

So, I can set $u^6 = x$ then $6u^5 du = dx$.

I can substitute that in and get:

$$6 \int_{}^{} \frac {u^5}{u^3 - u^2} \,du$$

Then I can simplify to

$$6 \int_{}^{} \frac {u^3}{u - 1} \,du$$

But I'm unsure how to proceed from here.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
tmt said:
I have this integral:

$$\int_{}^{} \frac{1}{\sqrt{x} - {x}^{\frac{1}{3}}} \,dx$$

So, I can set $u^6 = x$ then $6u^5 du = dx$.

I can substitute that in and get:

$$6 \int_{}^{} \frac {u^5}{u^3 - u^2} \,du$$

Then I can simplify to

$$6 \int_{}^{} \frac {u^3}{u - 1} \,du$$

But I'm unsure how to proceed from here.

I would substitute $\displaystyle \begin{align*} v = u - 1 \implies \mathrm{d}v = \mathrm{d}u \end{align*}$ and the integral becomes

$\displaystyle \begin{align*} 6\int{\frac{u^3}{u - 1 }\,\mathrm{d}u} &= 6\int{ \frac{\left( v + 1 \right) ^3}{v}\,\mathrm{d}v } \end{align*}$

Can you proceed?
 
Prove It said:
I would substitute $\displaystyle \begin{align*} v = u - 1 \implies \mathrm{d}v = \mathrm{d}u \end{align*}$ and the integral becomes

$\displaystyle \begin{align*} 6\int{\frac{u^3}{u - 1 }\,\mathrm{d}u} &= 6\int{ \frac{\left( v + 1 \right) ^3}{v}\,\mathrm{d}v } \end{align*}$

Can you proceed?

So then I have to multiply out the cube, and get:

$$6 \int_{}^{} v^3 \,dv + 18 \int_{}^{} v^2 \,dv + 18 \int_{}^{} v \,dv + 6 \int_{}^{} \,dv $$

And then integrate from here. Is that the idea?
 
tmt said:
So then I have to multiply out the cube, and get:

$$6 \int_{}^{} v^3 \,dv + 18 \int_{}^{} v^2 \,dv + 18 \int_{}^{} v \,dv + 6 \int_{}^{} \,dv $$

And then integrate from here. Is that the idea?

Don't forget that every term also needs to be divided by v...
 
$$\int\dfrac{u^3}{u-1}\,du=\int\dfrac{u^3-1+1}{u-1}\,du$$

$$=\int\dfrac{(u-1)(u^2+u+1)}{u-1}+\dfrac{1}{u-1}\,du$$

...
 
tmt said:
I have this integral:

$$6 \int \frac {u^3}{u - 1} \,du$$

But I'm unsure how to proceed from here.
How about Long Division?

. . . \frac{6u^3}{u-1} \;=\;6\left(u^2 + u + 1 + \frac{1}{u-1}\right)


 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
5K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
4K