Integrate Function: Can't Find Answer Key - Help Needed

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of a specific function from 1 to 2, as presented in a previous year's final exam. Participants explore various methods of integration, particularly focusing on trigonometric substitution and the implications of changing variable bounds during integration.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests assistance with an integration problem from an exam, indicating they cannot find a solution.
  • Another participant suggests using trigonometric substitution with the variable change \( x = \sqrt{5}\sin\theta \) and discusses the implications of this substitution on the integral.
  • A participant questions the disappearance of a factor of \( \frac{3}{2} \) during the integration process.
  • Further clarification is provided regarding the integral of \( \sec^2\theta \) and the need to revert back to the original variable after integration.
  • One participant expresses confusion about the bounds of integration when substituting variables, questioning if the bounds need to change accordingly.
  • Another participant explains how to evaluate the integral after substitution, emphasizing the importance of correctly applying the arcsine function to find the bounds.
  • There is a mention of a potential issue with undefined values when substituting into the arcsine function, which is clarified by another participant.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit some agreement on the method of trigonometric substitution but express differing views on the handling of bounds and the implications of variable substitution. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the correct evaluation of the integral with respect to the bounds.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss the need to adjust the bounds of integration when changing variables, but there is uncertainty about the correct approach and whether the bounds should indeed change. The discussion includes various mathematical steps that are not fully resolved.

okevino
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question in the attachment...

integrate this function from 1 to 2.

i can't find a way to do this quesiton
it's from previous year final exam so there's no answer key to it..

hope someone would teach me..
thanks..
 

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Have you learned trigonometric substitution? Let [itex]x = \sqrt(5)\sin\theta[/itex], and use the pythagorean identity to write [itex]5(1-\sin^2\theta) = 5\cos^2\theta[/itex].

Under this change of variables, [itex]dx = \sqrt(5)\cos\theta d\theta[/itex]. Your integral then becomes an integral over a constant times [itex]1/\cos^2\theta = sec^2\theta[/itex]. If you know the integral of [itex]sec^2\theta[/itex], you're pretty much done then.
 
alright..
but where did the 3/2 go..
 
right now i have...

4/5 integral sec^2 theta..

if I'm right at this point
so...
integral of sec^2 is tan x
but i set x = root5 sin theta earlier..
how do i finish this question..
 
Last edited:
The Exponents canceled each other out.

[tex]\int \frac{4}{(5-x^2)^{3/2}} dx[/tex].

Now We do the substitution Mute said. [itex]dx = \sqrt(5)\cos\theta d\theta[/itex]

So now the integral is [tex]\int {4\sqrt{5} \cos \theta}{5^{3/2}\cdot (\cos^2 \theta)^{3/2}} d\theta[/tex]

We can take all constants out. When we have a power to a power, we multiply the powers. 3/2 times 2 is just 3.

[tex]\frac{4\sqrt{5}}{5^{3/2}} \int \frac{\cos \theta}{\cos^3 \theta} d\theta = \frac{4\sqrt{5}}{5^{3/2}} \int \frac{1}{\cos^2 \theta} d\theta[/tex]. As Mute said, 1/cos^2 theta is sec^2 theta. And the integral of that is easy, you should know that.
 
O and the constant on the outside simplifies to 4/5.
 
that's exactly what i said ..
but if i take the integral from 1 to 2..
i dont' get the answer 6/5

cuz i think if you set x to some value.
the upper and lower bound needs to change..
but i dont' remember if there's such thing..
 
Well The integral is (4/5) tan theta.

x = sqrt{5} sin theta.
sin theta = x/(sqrt5)
theta = arcsin (x/sqrt5)
The integral is therefore 4/5 tan (arcsin x/sqrt5). Plug in x values and subtract.
 
my x values are 1 to 2..
if i sub into arcsinx it's undefined.
 
  • #10
That would be a problem, except that you want to sub into arcsin(x/sqrt5), not arcsinx.
 
  • #11
wow...
great...
got it...
thanks mute and GibZ..
 

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