How to Solve an Integral with Fractions and Long Division?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the integral $$\int \frac{1}{\sqrt{x} - {x}^{\frac{1}{3}}} \,dx$$, with a focus on techniques such as substitution, long division, and polynomial manipulation. Participants explore various methods to simplify and evaluate the integral, including the use of variable changes and algebraic manipulation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests substituting $u^6 = x$ to transform the integral into a more manageable form.
  • Another participant proposes simplifying the integral to $$6 \int \frac{u^3}{u - 1} \,du$$ and expresses uncertainty about the next steps.
  • There is a suggestion to use a further substitution $v = u - 1$, which leads to a new integral expression involving $v$.
  • Participants discuss multiplying out the cube and integrating the resulting terms, while also noting the need to divide by $v$ in the final expression.
  • One participant introduces the idea of long division to simplify the integral further, suggesting that $$\frac{6u^3}{u-1}$$ can be expressed as $$6\left(u^2 + u + 1 + \frac{1}{u-1}\right)$$.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the initial substitution and simplification steps, but there is uncertainty about the subsequent integration process and the application of long division. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to proceed with the integral.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved mathematical steps and assumptions regarding the manipulation of the integral, particularly in the application of long division and the handling of terms after substitution.

tmt1
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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.
 
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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)


 

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