Integral, Trig Substitution - Stuck

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves evaluating the integral \(\int{\frac{x^2}{\sqrt{9-x^2}}}dx\) using trigonometric substitution. The subject area is integral calculus, specifically focusing on techniques involving trigonometric identities and substitutions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to use the substitution \(x=3\sin\theta\) and follows through with the integration process, leading to a point of confusion regarding the final steps. Some participants suggest simplifying the substitution and finding the antiderivative directly without additional substitutions.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing feedback on the integration steps. There is acknowledgment of the original poster's work being correct so far, and suggestions for simplifying the final expression. Multiple approaches to completing the integral are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are discussing the clarity of the substitution process and the relationship between \(\theta\) and \(x\) in the context of the integral. There is an emphasis on ensuring the final expression is clean and understandable.

phyzmatix
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Homework Statement



Use trigonometric substitution to evaluate

[tex]\int{\frac{x^2}{\sqrt{9-x^2}}}dx[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



Let [tex]x=3\sin\theta[/tex]
then [tex]dx=3\cos\theta d\theta[/tex]

[tex]\int{\frac{x^2}{\sqrt{9-x^2}}}dx[/tex]

[tex]=\int{\frac{9\sin^2\theta}{3\sqrt{1-\sin^2\theta}}}\ 3\cos\theta \ d\theta[/tex]

[tex]=\int{\frac{9\sin^2\theta}{3\sqrt{\cos^2\theta}}}\ 3\cos\theta \ d\theta[/tex]

[tex]=\int{9\sin^2\theta \ d\theta}[/tex]

[tex]=\frac{9}{2} \int{(1-\cos2\theta)}\ d\theta[/tex]

let [tex]w=2\theta[/tex]
then [tex]dw=2\ d\theta[/tex]

[tex]=\frac{9}{4} \int{(1-\cos w)}\ dw[/tex]

[tex]=\frac{9}{4}[w-\sin w] + c \ \mbox{(substituting everything back in)}[/tex]

[tex]=\frac{9}{4}[2\sin^{-1}(\frac{x}{3})-\sin(2\sin^{-1}(\frac{x}{3})]+c[/tex]

Is this correct so far? And if so, now what?

I'm stumped :redface:

Thanks!
phyz
 
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Your integration seems fine. I would clean up your substitution at the end. Use:

[tex]sin2 \theta = 2 sin \theta cos \theta[/tex]
 
Well at this step:

[tex]=\frac{9}{2} \int{(1-\cos2\theta)}\ d\theta[/tex]

you could just find the antiderivative rather easily without another substitution. Then you can just relate theta to x instead of relating w to theta to x.

After you get the antiderivative in terms of x, that's pretty much it. Take the derivative to check.
 
linearfish said:
Your integration seems fine. I would clean up your substitution at the end. Use:

[tex]sin2 \theta = 2 sin \theta cos \theta[/tex]

That's exactly what I needed. Thank you very much! :smile:
 

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