Improper integral help (trig sub?)

Click For Summary
The discussion revolves around solving the improper integral from 0 to 1 of (4r*dr)/sqrt(1 - r^4). The original poster struggles with the calculation, initially arriving at -2, but later realizes that the correct answer is π. Key issues identified include the necessity of changing the limits of integration when performing variable substitution and ensuring the correct relationships between trigonometric functions are applied. Participants emphasize that the substitution was valid, but the oversight in limits led to the incorrect result. Ultimately, the correct approach confirms that π is indeed the right answer for the integral.
Badcommando
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
I have been bashing my head against this problem for a couple of hours now and cannot for the life of me figure it out. i am able to get AN answer but when i check it with my calculator i always get pi

Homework Statement



integral from (0, 1) of:

(4r*dr)/sqrt(1 - r^4)

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


i know the equation is undefined at r = 1 so:

lim t --> 1 of the integral (0, t) of (4r*dr)/sqrt(1 - r^4)

by trig subsitution:
sin(x) = sqrt(1-r^4)
cos(x) = r^2
deriving implicitly gives:
-sin(x) = 2rdr
-2sin(x) = 4rdr

so i end up with:
integral (0, t) of (-2sin(x))/(sin(x))

which gives me the answer as -2


maybe my calculator is wrong? or more likely I am making some stupid mistake/overlooking something.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
When you do a variable substitution you need to change the limits of integration as well.
So you need to integrate from the x-value when \sin(x) = 1 to where \sin(x) = 0 since when r = 0, \quad \sqrt{1-r^4} = 1 and when r = 1, \quad \sqrt{1-r^4}= 0.

\pi is the correct answer.
 
Last edited:
try r = [cos(θ)]^1/2

also with your sub i get r^4 = cos(x)
 
JonF said:
try r = [cos(θ)]^1/2

also with your sub i get r^4 = cos(x)

His substitution is fine. He just forgot to change the limits.
Also \sin(x) = \sqrt{1-\cos^2 (x)} so in his case r^4 = \cos^2 (x) \Rightarrow r^2 = \cos(x)
 
Inferior89 said:
When you do a variable substitution you need to change the limits of integration as well.
\pi is the correct answer. So you need to integrate from the x-value when sin(x) = 1 to where sin(x) = 0 since when r = 0 sqrt(1-r^4) = 1 and when r = 1 sqrt (1-r^4) = 0.

yup, youre right i was making a stupid mistake, i just totally left out the last step.

i just plugged arccos(r^2) in for theta after integrating and got pi as the correct answer. thanks for all of your help.
 
Inferior89 said:
His substitution is fine. He just forgot to change the limits.
Also \sin(x) = \sqrt{1-\cos^2 (x)} so in his case r^4 = \cos^2 (x) \Rightarrow r^2 = \cos(x)

Was just pointing out there is an easier sub where he may have not run into arithmetic mistakes. Like his claim: sin(x) = sqrt(1-r^4) -> cos(x) = r^2
 
JonF said:
Was just pointing out there is an easier sub where he may have not run into arithmetic mistakes. Like his claim: sin(x) = sqrt(1-r^4) -> cos(x) = r^2

What is wrong with that claim? Looks right to me.Edit:
Think a right angled triangle with hypotenuse 1 and the opposite side of the angle x as sqrt(1-r^4).
This means that sin(x) = sqrt(1-r^4).
From Pythagoras the last side (y) must satisfy sqrt(1-r^4)^2 + y^2 = 1^2 --> 1 - r^4 + y^2 = 1 --> r^4 = y^2 --> y = r^2.
Now cos(x) = y/1 = r^2.
 
Last edited:
ah oops i was doing sin(x) = sqrt(1-r^4) ⇒ sin^2(X) = 1 – r^4 ⇒ r^4 = sin^2(x) – 1 ⇒ r^4 = cos^2(x)

and just noticed that he didn't have a ^2 on his cos(x) my bad.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 105 ·
4
Replies
105
Views
6K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K