Integrating Rational Functions: Solving ∫(x/(x-1)^3)

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whatlifeforme
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Homework Statement


integrate the following:

Homework Equations


∫(x/(x-1)^3

The Attempt at a Solution


i've tried u-substitution, finding an inverse trig function that matched the formula, and still can't figure out how to solve this problem.

u-subtitution for u=x gives the same problem. u-subsitution for x-1 gives du =1 which does not match the problem.
 
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whatlifeforme said:

Homework Statement


integrate the following:


Homework Equations


∫(x/(x-1)^3


The Attempt at a Solution


i've tried u-substitution, finding an inverse trig function that matched the formula, and still can't figure out how to solve this problem.

u-subtitution for u=x gives the same problem. u-subsitution for x-1 gives du =1 which does not match the problem.

u=(x-1) gives du=dx which does match the problem. If you are worried about the x in the numerator, if u=x-1, then x=u+1.
 
Its a fairly easy integral..dont go all complicated when you can't find the answer just stay on the ground bro :-p sometimes few problems can be easily solved if you just view it from a different angle

Dick said:
u=x-1, then x=u+1.

this should work. you would get u+1/u^3 du which you split and integrate
 
Hysteria X said:
Its a fairly easy integral..dont go all complicated when you can't find the answer just stay on the ground bro :-p sometimes few problems can be easily solved if you just view it from a different angle



this should work. you would get u+1/u^3 du which you split and integrate

No, you will not get [tex]u + \frac{1}{u^3},[/tex] which is what you wrote! If you really mean [tex]\frac{u+1}{u^3},[/tex] use parentheses, like this: (u+1)/u^3.
 
Hysteria X said:
this should work. you would get u+1/u^3 du which you split and integrate

Good advice but use more parentheses. You could easily mistake u+1/u^3 for u+(1/u^3) when you meant (u+1)/u^3.
 
Ray Vickson said:
No, you will not get [tex]u + \frac{1}{u^3},[/tex] which is what you wrote! If you really mean [tex]\frac{u+1}{u^3},[/tex] use parentheses, like this: (u+1)/u^3.

lol thanks for pointing it out..my bad :shy: