Integrating Inverse Trigonometric Functions with Substitution

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of the function \(\int \frac{dx}{(x^{2}+2x+2)^{2}}\), specifically focusing on the use of trigonometric and substitution methods in the integration process.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore u-substitution and trigonometric substitution methods, with one participant expressing uncertainty about the correctness of their substitution back into the original variable. Others question the relationship between sine and tangent functions in the context of the substitution.

Discussion Status

Some participants have identified potential errors in the substitution process and are discussing the implications of these errors. There is an ongoing exploration of how to derive \(\sin(2\arctan(x))\) and whether to express the answer in terms of trigonometric functions or leave it in its current form.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the complexities of trigonometric identities and their application in integration, as well as the challenge of translating between different forms of expressions.

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Homework Statement


[tex]\int \frac{dx}{(x^{2}+2x+2)^{2}}[/tex]

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


I'm just going to skip down to where something is wrong (the beginning is a u-substitution and trig. substitution so I don't want to type all that out)
After all the trig/u-subs I end up with:
[tex]\int cos^{2}\theta d \theta=\int \frac{1}{2}+\frac{cos2 \theta}{2}d \theta=\frac{\theta}{2}+\frac{sin2\theta}{4}+C[/tex]

So now I substitute back, u=tanθ:
[tex]\frac{tan^{-1}u}{2}+\frac{u}{2\sqrt{u^{2}+1}}[/tex]
and u=x+1:
I THINK THE ERROR IS HERE SOMEWHERE, BUT NOT SURE WHERE
[tex]\frac{1}{2}(tan^{-1}(x+1)+\frac{x+1}{\sqrt{(x+1)^{2}+1}})+C[/tex]Thank you
 
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Your error is when you substitute ##\theta## back into ##\displaystyle \frac{sin2\theta}{4} \not = \frac{u}{2\sqrt{u^{2}+1}}##
 
Last edited:
If you draw the triangle where u=tanθ, then sine of that would be [itex]\frac{u}{\sqrt{u^{2}+1}}[/itex] wouldn't it? And then multiplying that by 2 would just be 2 times that, but I think that's the error, I'm not sure what the 2 does to the sine function.
 
iRaid said:
If you draw the triangle where u=tanθ, then sine of that would be [itex]\frac{u}{\sqrt{u^{2}+1}}[/itex] wouldn't it? And then multiplying that by 2 would just be 2 times that, but I think that's the error, I'm not sure what the 2 does to the sine function.

No, ##sin(2arctan(x)) \not = 2sin(arctan(x))##. I don't know how to derive ##sin(2arctan(x))## but a Google search could help.

Instead of finding an expression without trig functions, sometimes it's just best to leave it as is. The answer is still perfectly valid.
 
Ok yeah I see that's the problem, but even after googling it, that doesn't help :\
 
Still don't understand this, could someone explain how to get sin(2arctan(x))?
 
Use ##\sin(2\theta) = 2\sin \theta \cos \theta##, then write the sin and cos in terms of u.
 
Mute said:
Use ##\sin(2\theta) = 2\sin \theta \cos \theta##, then write the sin and cos in terms of u.

Wow forgot that, thanks so much.
 

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