Integrating dx / (4+x^2)^2 using Trigonometric Substitution

In summary, integrating using trigonometric substitution involves replacing the variable in the integral with a trigonometric function to simplify the integral. The appropriate substitution is chosen based on the expression inside the integral and can include using x = a tan θ, x = a sec θ, x = a cot θ, x = a sin θ, or x = a cos θ. Not all integrals can be solved using this method and it is most useful when the integral contains a polynomial or radical expression, or involves trigonometric or inverse trigonometric functions. The steps for solving an integral using trigonometric substitution are to identify the appropriate substitution, simplify the integral, integrate the simplified expression, and substitute back the original variable
  • #1
Oribe Yasuna
43
1

Homework Statement


Evaluate the integral:
integral of dx / (4+x^2)^2

Homework Equations


x = a tan x theta
a^2 + x^2 = a^2 sec^2 theta

The Attempt at a Solution


x = 2 tan theta
dx = 2sec^2 theta
tan theta = x/2

integral of dx / (4+x^2)^2
= 1/8 integral (sec^2 theta / sec^4 theta) d theta
= 1/8 integral (cos^2 theta) dtheta
= 1/16 integral 1 + cos 2 theta d theta
= 1/16 [ theta + sin 2 theta / 2 ] + c
= 1/16 [ theta + sin theta cos theta ] + c
= 1/16 [ tan ^-1 x/2 + ? ] + c

"?" is where I get lost.
Did I do the problem wrong? I was really confused when the book gave me a problem without a square root.
 
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  • #2
Oribe Yasuna said:

Homework Statement


Evaluate the integral:
integral of dx / (4+x^2)^2

Homework Equations


x = a tan x theta
a^2 + x^2 = a^2 sec^2 theta

The Attempt at a Solution


x = 2 tan theta
dx = 2sec^2 theta
tan theta = x/2

integral of dx / (4+x^2)^2
= 1/8 integral (sec^2 theta / sec^4 theta) d theta
= 1/8 integral (cos^2 theta) dtheta
= 1/16 integral 1 + cos 2 theta d theta
= 1/16 [ theta + sin 2 theta / 2 ] + c
= 1/16 [ theta + sin theta cos theta ] + c
= 1/16 [ tan ^-1 x/2 + ? ] + c

"?" is where I get lost.
Did I do the problem wrong? I was really confused when the book gave me a problem without a square root.

Your sub looks fine, and your work up to $$=\frac{\theta}{16}+\frac{sin(2\theta)}{32}+C$$

Go ahead and make your last back sub.
 
  • #3
a^2 + x^2 = a^2 sec^2 theta
x^2 + 4 = 4 sec^2 theta
sqrt (x^2 + 4) / 2 = sec theta
cos sqrt (x^2 + 4) / 2 = theta

Is this what you mean by back sub?
 
  • #4
Oribe Yasuna said:
a^2 + x^2 = a^2 sec^2 theta
x^2 + 4 = 4 sec^2 theta
sqrt (x^2 + 4) / 2 = sec theta
cos sqrt (x^2 + 4) / 2 = theta

Is this what you mean by back sub?

You have ##\theta = tan^{-1}(\frac{x}{2})## above, just plug in for theta and simplify.
 
  • #5
So,

= [ θ/16 + sin (2θ)/32 ] + C
= [ tan^-1 (x/2) / 16 + sin (2 tan^-1 (x/2) / 32 ] + C

Is it okay to plug in tan^-1 (x/2) for θ in sin (2θ) or am I misinterpreting you?
It seems weird.
 
  • #6
Oribe Yasuna said:
So,

= [ θ/16 + sin (2θ)/32 ] + C
= [ tan^-1 (x/2) / 16 + sin (2 tan^-1 (x/2) / 32 ] + C

Is it okay to plug in tan^-1 (x/2) for θ in sin (2θ) or am I misinterpreting you?
It seems weird.

It's perfectly fine, that's what you needed to do. You had already found above that ##tan(\theta)=\frac{x}{2}##, you could simplify the sin by redoing the double angle formula ##sin(2tan^{-1}(\frac{x}{2}))=2(sin(tan^{-1}(\frac{x}{2}))(cos(tan^{-1}(\frac{x}{2}))## and simplify from your right triangle picture.

Why does it seem weird?
 
  • #7
= [ tan^-1 (x/2) / 16 + (sin(4/x) cos(4/x))/16 ]

Does it simplify to that?

It seems weird because I don't think I've done it before and the answer in the back of the book is in a different format:
(tan^-1 (x/2) )/ 16 + x/(8(4 + x^2)

Sorry for the messy and inconsistent typing, and thanks for the help.
 
  • #8
Oribe Yasuna said:
= [ tan^-1 (x/2) / 16 + (sin(4/x) cos(4/x))/16 ]

Does it simplify to that?

It seems weird because I don't think I've done it before and the answer in the back of the book is in a different format:
(tan^-1 (x/2) )/ 16 + x/(8(4 + x^2)

Sorry for the messy and inconsistent typing, and thanks for the help.
No problem, so you havehttps://physicsforums-bernhardtmediall.netdna-ssl.com/data/attachments/73/73867-db7eccc9bcdd5e7324f0dfba67853800.jpg
$$ = \frac{1}{16}(tan^{-1}(\frac{x}{2})+(sin(tan^{-1}(\frac{x}{2}))(cos(tan^{-1}(\frac{x}{2})))$$

Since $$ \theta=tan^{-1}(\frac{x}{2})$$
$$cos(tan^{-1}(\frac{x}{2}))=\frac{2}{\sqrt{x^2+4)}}$$

Do the same for sin, simplify, and you should get the book answer.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #9
I did it! Looks exactly like the book's.

Thanks again.
 
  • #10
Oribe Yasuna said:
I did it! Looks exactly like the book's.

Thanks again.

Anytime, you did all the calculations and setting up correctly, I think the end just through you off.
 

1. What is the basic concept behind integrating using trigonometric substitution?

The basic concept behind integrating using trigonometric substitution is to replace the variable in the integral with a trigonometric function in order to simplify the integral and make it easier to solve. This is often used when the integral involves a radical or a polynomial expression.

2. How do I choose the appropriate trigonometric substitution?

The appropriate trigonometric substitution can be chosen by looking at the expression inside the integral. If it contains a square root of a quadratic expression, the substitution x = a tan θ can be used. If it contains a quadratic expression without a square root, the substitution x = a sec θ or x = a cot θ can be used. If it contains a sum or difference of squares, the substitution x = a sin θ or x = a cos θ can be used.

3. Can I use trigonometric substitution for any integral?

No, trigonometric substitution can only be used for certain types of integrals where the variable can be replaced with a trigonometric function. It cannot be used for all integrals.

4. How do I know when to use trigonometric substitution?

You can use trigonometric substitution when the integral contains a polynomial expression or a radical expression. It is also useful when the integral involves trigonometric functions or inverse trigonometric functions.

5. What are the steps for solving an integral using trigonometric substitution?

The steps for solving an integral using trigonometric substitution are:
1. Identify the appropriate substitution to use based on the expression inside the integral.
2. Substitute the variable with the corresponding trigonometric function.
3. Simplify the integral using trigonometric identities and algebraic manipulation.
4. Integrate the simplified expression.
5. Substitute back the original variable in the final answer.

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