How to Solve the Integral of xdx/[sqrt(1-x^2)*sqrt(1-A(x-b)^2)]?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral of the form xdx/[sqrt(1-x^2)*sqrt(1-A(x-b)^2)], which is identified as an elliptic integral. Participants are exploring various methods to approach the integration problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants have attempted integration by parts, variable substitutions, and trigonometric identities. Some have suggested using partial fraction decomposition to simplify the integrand, while others have raised concerns about the feasibility of this approach due to the nature of the radicals involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing different methods and questioning the validity of proposed approaches. There is acknowledgment of the complexity of the integral, with references to elliptic integrals indicating a recognition of the problem's non-elementary nature.

Contextual Notes

One participant notes that the integral is classified as an elliptic integral, which implies that standard elementary methods may not yield a solution. There is also mention of specific relationships between constants that arise in the context of partial fraction decomposition.

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Homework Statement


I have to do the integral of xdx/[sqrt(1-x^2)*sqrt(1-A(x-b)^2)]


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I tried integrating by parts..using integral of xdx/[sqrt(1-x^2)] as -sqrt(1-x^2)...but since the other radical had a power 3/2 now, I could not proceed..I tried changing variables as (x-b)^2=t ..no use...tried A(x-b)^2=sin^2 theta...that way I got till sec/{[tan-Bsec]^3}...but again stuck...

I have also tried directly putting x=sin t ..and tried putting sin t =2tan (t/2)/[1+tan^2(t/2)] then.. sint= [exp(it)+exp(-it)]/2 also was tried..
 
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Here's a suggestion. No guarantees that it will work. What I have in mind is akin to decomposition by partial fractions.

If you can break up the the integrand into the sum of two simpler expressions, you'll have something that's easier to integrate.

If you can find constants B, C, D, and E so that the following equation is identically true, the two resulting expressions can be integrated fairly easily using trig substitutions.
[tex]\frac{x}{\sqrt{1 - x^2}\sqrt{1 - A(x - b)^2}} = \frac{Bx + C}{\sqrt{1 - x^2}} + \frac{Dx + E}{\sqrt{1 - A(x - b)^2}}[/tex]

I started in on this and found a relationship between C and E, namely that E = -C*sqrt(1 - Ab^2).
 
No..that won't work..If we multiply throughout with the denominator of the LHS...we get x on LHS and the sum of two unequal radicals on the RHS..the two expressions can't be equal...unless the factors multiplying the radicals help remove the roots..which cannot happen for the linear factors used...
 
krishna mohan said:
have to do the integral of xdx/[sqrt(1-x^2)*sqrt(1-A(x-b)^2)]

In general, this is an "elliptic integral" so the result is not elementary.

For example, Maple says
[tex] \int \!{\frac {x}{\sqrt {1-{x}^{2}}\sqrt {1-(x-1)^2}}}{dx}<br /> =<br /> i \left( {\rm F} \left( {\frac {\sqrt {2}\sqrt {x}}{\sqrt {x-1<br /> }}},1/2 \right) -{\Pi} \left( {\frac {\sqrt {2}\sqrt {x}}{<br /> \sqrt {x-1}}},1/2,1/2 \right) \right) [/tex]
Here, [tex]F[/tex] and [tex]\Pi[/tex] are two of the standard elliptic integrals.
 
Thanks...
 

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