Integral Help for Calc II Newbie

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on evaluating the integral of the function (x+3)/(4x^2-8x+13) using techniques from Calculus II, specifically completing the square and substitution methods. The initial error involved omitting the coefficient of 4 in the denominator's quadratic expression. The correct approach involves substituting u = (2x-2), which simplifies the integral into two manageable parts: (1/2)*u/(9+u^2) and 3/(9+u^2), where the first term can be solved using u-substitution and the second term relates to the arctangent function.

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  • Understanding of integral calculus, specifically techniques for evaluating integrals.
  • Familiarity with completing the square in quadratic expressions.
  • Knowledge of substitution methods in integration.
  • Basic understanding of trigonometric functions, particularly arctangent.
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  • Practice completing the square with various quadratic expressions.
  • Learn about u-substitution in integrals, focusing on transforming variables.
  • Study the properties and applications of the arctangent function in integration.
  • Explore advanced techniques in integral calculus, such as integration by parts.
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Students studying Calculus II, educators teaching integral calculus, and anyone seeking to improve their skills in evaluating complex integrals.

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Integral Help??Newbie

I apoligize in advance I am a newibe to this forum..

Homework Statement



integral [(x+3)/(4x^2-8x+13)]

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I am currently studying CalcII we Just got into evaluating integrals by completing the square in the denometer however I cannot get this one to work out. I attempted to evaluate by completing the square I got 9+(2x-2)^2 but I do cannot get a substitution to the X+3dx, I tried to split it into two with the X/ and the 3/ but again get stumped at the 3/. Just looking for a little guidance that’s all. Thanks in advance for everyone’s help.
 
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Your completing the square on (x^2-8x+13) is wrong for a start. Can you show us how you did that?
 


see attached image where did I mess up??
 

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mike01 said:
see attached image where did I mess up??

Absolutely nothing messed up. You just messed up the initial posting. You left the 4 off of the x^2 in the denominator.
 


now that I have corrected that (sorry) if I factor and complete the square nothing (that I can see) works out good for the "x+3" so I looked at splitting them the "x/" works out and substitutes well then turns into a du/a^2+u^2 or arctan, however I am not sure how to deal with the other with the "3/"?
 


Thanks for the correction. x+3=(1/2)*(2x-2)+4. Is that the sort of relation you are looking for?
 


Dick, where does the 1/2 come from?? does this seem like the logical next step? (See image). Thanks for all your help.
 

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You can't argue with x+3=(1/2)*(2x-2)+4, can you? It's just plain true. I worked it out by multiplying by (1/2) to get the x on the left side and solved for the constant. Now your integral is (1/2)*(2x-2)/(9+(2x-2)^2)+4/(9+(2x-2)^2). The first term is a u substitution and the second term is your arctan.
 


Dick, Thanks for all your help and patientence but if the image attached repsents the original problem, and the problem + factoring / completing the square. Pardon my ignorance maybe I am just not seeing it but where is the (1/2) coming from? maybe it's just late here and I will look at it after a good nights rest. thanks for all your help, I am just trying to understand all this.
 

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  • #10


Here's the deal. To do the integrals you'll want to substitute basically u=(2x-2), right? That makes the denominator 3^2+u^2. I want to write the numerator x+3 in terms of u=(2x-2) as well. Solve u=(2x-2) for x. x=(1/2)*(u+2). Substitute that into x+3. (1/2)*(u+2)+3=(1/2)*u+4. That let's you split the integral into two parts. The (1/2)*u/(3^2+u^2) part is a simple sub. The 3/(3^2+u^2) is the arctan like part. See?
 

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