How to Solve These Challenging Integrals with Square Roots?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around two challenging integrals involving square roots, which the original poster is struggling to solve. The context includes attempts to use computational tools like Mathematica and Wolfram, as well as considerations of potential mathematical techniques for integration. The integrals are presented in a mathematical format, and there is a suggestion of a connection to a physical problem related to particle motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • The original poster presents two integrals that they have been unable to solve, expressing frustration that computational tools have not provided answers.
  • Some participants suggest that the LaTeX formatting of the integrals needs correction for clarity, indicating a desire to assist in understanding the problem.
  • A later reply proposes that the integrals may not yield to standard techniques and suggests exploring advanced integration techniques, although the specifics of parameter placement remain unclear.
  • One participant mentions a potential connection to the brachistochrone problem, questioning whether the original poster is trying to find a function of arc length.
  • The original poster reflects on the possibility of needing to use differential equations instead of direct integration, expressing uncertainty about their skills in that area.
  • Another participant notes that an approximation could be used to solve the problem, although the original poster expresses a preference for a more elegant solution without approximations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on how to approach the integrals, with multiple competing views on the methods that could be employed. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best path forward for solving the integrals.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the applicability of standard integration techniques and the potential need for approximations or alternative methods such as differential equations. The connection to physical principles adds complexity to the discussion.

Barioth
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Hi everyone I have these 2 integrate that I can't solve, I have tried them with mathematica and wolfram, but they can't find an answer, maybe someone have an idea on how I could tackle these 2 bad boy!

The first one is

$$\int{ \sqrt{ \frac{1+( \frac{1}{10}+ \frac{s}{25})^2}{ \frac {s}{10}+ \frac{s^2}{50}}}}ds $$

The second one is

$$\int{ \sqrt{ \frac{1+ \frac{4}{625}(-5+s)^2}{ 1-\frac{1}{25}(-5+s)^2}}}ds $$Edit: Corrected my Latex
Thanks for tacking a look!
 
Last edited:
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Re: *tough* integrate

Hi Barioth, (Wave)

Your Latex syntax needs to be fixed a little bit it seems. I normally edit these things myself but I can't easily figure out what the integral is of so I don't want to guess. Can you try fixing the code or perhaps write it out in a different way so we can help you find the correct Latex code? :)
 
Barioth said:
Hi everyone I have these 2 integrate that I can't solve, I have tried them with mathematica and wolfram, but they can't find an answer, maybe someone have an idea on how I could tackle these 2 bad boy!

The first one is

$$\int{ \sqrt{ \frac{1+( \frac{1}{10}+ \frac{s}{25})^2}{ \frac {s}{10}+ \frac{s^2}{50}}}}ds $$

The second one is

$$\int{ \sqrt{ \frac{1+ \frac{4}{625}(-5+s)^2}{ 1-\frac{1}{25}(-5+s)^2}}}ds $$Edit: Corrected my Latex
Thanks for tacking a look!

They do not appear to succumb to any standard techniques. I suppose you could try http://www.mathhelpboards.com/f10/advanced-integration-techniques-3233/, but it's not clear to me where to put the parameter. You'd have to play around with it some.

Could you provide some context for us? From where did these integrals appear?
 
Barioth said:
Hi everyone I have these 2 integrate that I can't solve, I have tried them with mathematica and wolfram, but they can't find an answer, maybe someone have an idea on how I could tackle these 2 bad boy!

The first one is

$$\int{ \sqrt{ \frac{1+( \frac{1}{10}+ \frac{s}{25})^2}{ \frac {s}{10}+ \frac{s^2}{50}}}}ds $$

The second one is

$$\int{ \sqrt{ \frac{1+ \frac{4}{625}(-5+s)^2}{ 1-\frac{1}{25}(-5+s)^2}}}ds $$Edit: Corrected my Latex
Thanks for tacking a look!

[math]\displaystyle \begin{align*} \int{ \sqrt{\frac{1 + \left( \frac{1}{10} + \frac{s}{25} \right) ^2 }{\frac{s}{10} + \frac{s^2}{50}}} \,ds } &= \int{\left( \frac{\frac{1}{10} + \frac{s}{25}}{\frac{1}{10} + \frac{s}{25}} \right) \sqrt{ \frac{1 + \left( \frac{1}{10} + \frac{s}{25} \right) ^2 }{ \frac{s}{10} + \frac{s^2}{50} } }\,ds} \\ &= \int{\frac{\frac{1}{10} + \frac{s}{25}}{\sqrt{\frac{s}{10} + \frac{s^2}{50}}} \sqrt{ \frac{1 + \left( \frac{1}{10} + \frac{s}{25} \right)^2}{\left( \frac{1}{10} + \frac{s}{25} \right) ^2} } \,ds } \end{align*}[/math]

Now make the substitution [math]\displaystyle u = \frac{s}{10} + \frac{s^2}{25} \implies du = \frac{1}{10} + \frac{s}{50}\,ds [/math] and note that

[math]\displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{s^2}{25} + \frac{s}{10} &= u \\ s^2 + \frac{5}{2}s &= 25u \\ s^2 + \frac{5}{2}s + \left( \frac{5}{4} \right) ^2 &= 25u + \left( \frac{5}{4} \right) ^2 \\ \left( s + \frac{5}{4} \right) ^2 &= \frac{400u + 25}{16} \\ s + \frac{5}{4} &= \pm \frac{\sqrt{400u + 25}}{4} \\ s &= \frac{-5 \pm 5\,\sqrt{16u + 1}}{4} \\ \frac{s}{25} &= \frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{16u + 1}}{20} \\ \frac{s}{25} + \frac{1}{10} &= \frac{1 \pm \sqrt{ 16u + 1}}{20} \end{align*}[/math]

Substituting into the integral gives

[math] \displaystyle \begin{align*} \int{\frac{\frac{1}{10} + \frac{s}{25}}{\sqrt{\frac{s}{10} + \frac{s^2}{50}}} \sqrt{ \frac{1 + \left( \frac{1}{10} + \frac{s}{25} \right)^2}{\left( \frac{1}{10} + \frac{s}{25} \right) ^2} } \,ds } &= \int{ \frac{1}{\sqrt{u}} \sqrt{ \frac{ 1 + \left( \frac{1 \pm \sqrt{ 16u + 1}}{20} \right) ^2 }{ \left( \frac{1 \pm \sqrt{ 16u + 1}}{20} \right) ^2} } \,du} \end{align*}[/math]

I think I may have made it worse. Will need to keep thinking...
 
At first there was this:

$$\frac{dy}{ds}=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}* \sqrt{ \frac{1+( \frac{1}{10}+ \frac{s}{25})^2}{ \frac {s}{10}+ \frac{s^2}{50}}}$$

and this

$$\frac{dy}{ds}=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}*\sqrt{ \frac{1+ \frac{4}{625}(-5+s)^2}{ 1-\frac{1}{25}(-5+s)^2}}$$

I need a equation of s(y), So I tough I could just solve the integrate, but I'm starting to think that they may be no solution for it.

This come from

The time taken by a particule to do an infinitesimal path to the point (x+dx,y+dy) is given by

$$dt=\frac{\sqrt{dx^2+dy^2}}{\sqrt{2g(y_0-y)}}$$

Where x and y are the parametric parameter
with g= -1 and y0 = 0 I end up with

$$dt=\frac{\sqrt{dx^2+dy^2}}{\sqrt{2(y)}}$$

Maybe I should go with Diff Equation to solve this, but my skill in Diff Equations is near infinitesimal!
 
The bit at the end looks like the brachistochrone problem. Are you trying to solve that problem? Perhaps you're trying to find $y$ as a function of the arc length $s$?
 
Ackbach said:
The bit at the end looks like the brachistochrone problem. Are you trying to solve that problem? Perhaps you're trying to find $y$ as a function of the arc length $s$?
Yeah I had to compare it with some other function, I asked my teacher about it, he told me I really had to use an aproximation (which I really wanted to avoid.)

With an aproximation it get the job done, but it doesn't seem as beautiful to me..

Anyway thanks for taking some of your time guys!
 

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