Indeterminate Integration with Integration Constant

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of the integral $$\int\frac{1}{(x+4)(x^2-8x+19)}\, dx$$. Participants explore various steps in the integration process, including the use of logarithmic and arctangent functions, while addressing potential errors and the need for an integration constant.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a partial integration approach and seeks confirmation on the correctness of their steps.
  • Another participant expresses concern that the derivative of a logarithmic term does not match the original integrand, suggesting the use of arctangent for the middle term's integration.
  • A participant corrects their earlier integration by noting a missing division by $-2$ and revises their expression accordingly.
  • Further elaboration is provided on integrating the term involving arctangent, with a substitution method introduced.
  • Several participants affirm the correctness of the final expression derived from the integration steps.
  • There is a consensus that an integration constant $+C$ should be included at the end of the integral expression.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the correctness of the integration steps presented, with some expressing uncertainty about specific details. There is a consensus on the necessity of including an integration constant.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss the integration process without resolving all uncertainties regarding the correctness of each step, particularly in relation to the derivative checks and the application of integration techniques.

mathmari
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Hey! 😊

I want to calculate the integral $$\int\frac{1}{(x+4)(x^2-8x+19)}\, dx$$ I have done the following : $$\frac{1}{(x+4)(x^2-8x+19)}=\frac{1}{67}\frac{1}{x+4}+\frac{1}{67}\frac{12-x}{x^2-8x+19}$$ and so we get \begin{align*}\int\frac{1}{(x+4)(x^2-8x+19)}\, dx&=\frac{1}{67}\int \frac{1}{x+4}\, dx+\frac{1}{67}\int \frac{12-x}{x^2-8x+19}\, dx\\ & =\frac{1}{67}\cdot \ln |x+4|+\frac{1}{67}\int \frac{8+4-x}{x^2-8x+19}\, dx\\ & =\frac{1}{67}\cdot \ln |x+4|+\frac{1}{67}\int \frac{8 }{x^2-8x+19}\, dx+\frac{1}{67}\int \frac{4-x}{x^2-8x+19}\, dx \\ & =\frac{1}{67}\cdot \ln |x+4|+\frac{1}{67}\int \frac{8 }{x^2-8x+19}\, dx +\frac{1}{67}\cdot \ln | x^2-8x+19| \end{align*} Is everything correct so far? How could we continue to calculate the middle term? :unsure:
 
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Hey mathmari!

If I take the derivative of the last term with "ln" in it, I do not get what we integrated. (Worried)

To integrate the middle term, we can use the derivative of arctan. What is that derivative? (Wondering)
 
Klaas van Aarsen said:
If I take the derivative of the last term with "ln" in it, I do not get what we integrated. (Worried)

Ah I forgot to divide by $-2$. It should be:
\begin{align*}\int\frac{1}{(x+4)(x^2-8x+19)}\, dx&=\frac{1}{67}\int \frac{1}{x+4}\, dx+\frac{1}{67}\int \frac{12-x}{x^2-8x+19}\, dx\\ & =\frac{1}{67}\cdot \ln |x+4|+\frac{1}{67}\int \frac{8+4-x}{x^2-8x+19}\, dx\\ & =\frac{1}{67}\cdot \ln |x+4|+\frac{1}{67}\int \frac{8 }{x^2-8x+19}\, dx+\frac{1}{67}\int \frac{4-x}{x^2-8x+19}\, dx\\ & =\frac{1}{67}\cdot \ln |x+4|+\frac{1}{67}\int \frac{8 }{x^2-8x+19}\, dx-\frac{1}{134}\int \frac{2x-8}{x^2-8x+19}\, dx \\ & =\frac{1}{67}\cdot \ln |x+4|+\frac{1}{67}\int \frac{8 }{x^2-8x+19}\, dx -\frac{1}{134}\cdot \ln | x^2-8x+19| \end{align*}

:unsure:
Klaas van Aarsen said:
To integrate the middle term, we can use the derivative of arctan. What is that derivative? (Wondering)

It holds that $\left (\text{arctan}(x)\right )'=\frac{1}{1+x^2}$.
$$\int \frac{8 }{x^2-8x+19}\, dx=\int \frac{8 }{(x-4)^2+3}\, dx=\frac{8}{3}\cdot \int \frac{1 }{\left (\frac{x-4}{\sqrt{3}}\right )^2+1}\, dx\overset{u=\frac{x-4}{\sqrt{3}}}{=} \frac{8}{3}\cdot \int \frac{1 }{\left (u\right )^2+1}\, \sqrt{3}du=\frac{8}{\sqrt{3}}\text{arctan}(u)=\frac{8}{\sqrt{3}}\cdot \text{arctan}\left (\frac{x-4}{\sqrt{3}}\right )$$

Therefore we get \begin{align*}\int\frac{1}{(x+4)(x^2-8x+19)}\, dx& =\frac{1}{67}\cdot \ln |x+4|+\frac{1}{67}\int \frac{8 }{x^2-8x+19}\, dx -\frac{1}{134}\cdot \ln | x^2-8x+19| \\ & =\frac{1}{67}\cdot \ln |x+4|+\frac{1}{67}\cdot \frac{8}{\sqrt{3}}\cdot \text{arctan}\left (\frac{x-4}{\sqrt{3}}\right ) -\frac{1}{134}\cdot \ln | x^2-8x+19|\\ & =\frac{1}{67}\cdot \ln |x+4|+\frac{8}{67\sqrt{3}}\cdot \text{arctan}\left (\frac{x-4}{\sqrt{3}}\right ) -\frac{1}{134}\cdot \ln | x^2-8x+19| \end{align*}
Is everything correct? :unsure:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
mathmari said:
Is everything correct?
It looks correct to me. (Nod)
 
Klaas van Aarsen said:
It looks correct to me. (Nod)

Great! Thank you! (Sun)
 
Ah, one more thing... there should be a $+C$ at the end. (Blush)
Every indeterminate integral must have an indeterminate integration constant.
 
Klaas van Aarsen said:
Ah, one more thing... there should be a $+C$ at the end. (Blush)
Every indeterminate integral must have an indeterminate integration constant.

Ahh yes (Blush)
 

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