Integrating Arc Functions: \intx*arctg(1/x)dx

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of the function involving the arc tangent, specifically \(\int x \cdot \arctan(1/x) \, dx\). Participants express challenges with integrating arc functions and explore various approaches to the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts integration by parts, selecting \(u = x\) and \(dv = \arctan(1/x) \, dx\), but questions the correctness of their approach. Some participants suggest alternative choices for \(u\) and \(dv\), indicating that the initial selections may lead to more complex integrals.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with each other's reasoning, pointing out potential errors in the integration steps and discussing the implications of their choices. There is a recognition that some selections may complicate the integration process further, but no consensus has been reached on the best approach.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of the possibility that the integration by parts may yield an integral that is harder than the original, which raises questions about the appropriateness of the chosen functions for \(u\) and \(dv\). Additionally, there are concerns regarding the differentiation and integration of arc functions, particularly in relation to their derivatives.

Dell
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[tex]\int[/tex]x*arctg(1/x)dx

i have such problems integrating arc functions, don't know why, but they never turn out right,,

by using
[tex]\int[/tex]udv=uv-[tex]\int[/tex]vdu

u=x
du=dx

dv=arctg(1/x)
v=[1/(1+(1/x)2)]*ln|x|
=[x2/1+x2]ln|x|

[tex]\int[/tex]x*arctg(1/x)dx=x*arctg(1/x)-[tex]\int[/tex](x3ln|x|)/(x2+1)dx

now...
 
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Your work going from dv to v is incorrect.
You have dv = arctan(1/x) (minor quibble: it should be arctan(1/x)dx), but from that you can't get to v = [1/(1 + (1/x)^2)]*ln|x|.

A possibility when you're doing integration by parts is arriving at an integral that's harder than the one you started with. That's usually a sign that what you picked for u and dv is not the right choice.

For this problem, I believe that the right choice is

u = arctan(1/x), dv = xdx
 
arctan(1/x)=u
du=[1/(1 + (1/x)^2)]*ln|x|*dx

xdx=dv
v=0.5x^2

is this correct?
this will also give me an integration harder than i started with

[tex]\int[/tex]x*arctg(1/x)dx=0.5x^2arctan(1/x)-[tex]\int[/tex][0.5x^2/(1 + (1/x)^2)]*ln|x|dx
 
Dell said:
arctan(1/x)=u
du=[1/(1 + (1/x)^2)]*ln|x|*dx

xdx=dv
v=0.5x^2

is this correct?
For du, you're close, but you have the antiderivative of 1/x rather than its derivative. IOW, you have d/dx(1/x) = ln|x|, which is wrong.
Starting with u = arctan(1/x), and letting w = 1/x, we have
u = arctan(w).
So du = d/dw(arctan(w)) *dw = d/dw(arctan(w)) * dw/dx * dx
= 1/[1 + w^2] * (-1)/x^2 * dx (the factor before dx is where you made your mistake.)
= 1/[1 + (1/x)^2]* (-1)/x^2 * dx
[tex]\frac{-dx}{(1 + (1/x)^2)x^2}[/tex]
= [tex]\frac{-dx}{x^2 + 1}[/tex]
Dell said:
this will also give me an integration harder than i started with

[tex]\int[/tex]x*arctg(1/x)dx=0.5x^2arctan(1/x)-[tex]\int[/tex][0.5x^2/(1 + (1/x)^2)]*ln|x|dx
 

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