Integration by parts tanx help

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around two integration problems: the first involves integrating the function \(\frac{x}{x^{2}+4x+4}\) and the second concerns the integral of \(\tan^{2}(x)\). Participants are exploring methods such as integration by parts and partial fractions, while also addressing potential errors in their approaches.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using integration by parts and partial fractions for the first problem, with some expressing confusion about their attempts and results. For the second problem, there is a focus on the relationship between \(\tan^{2}(x)\) and \(\sec^{2}(x)\), with questions about the correctness of the integration performed.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of different methods to tackle the first integral, with some participants suggesting variable substitution and others emphasizing the use of partial fractions. The second problem has prompted clarification on the integration of \(\sec^{2}(x)\) and its relation to \(\tan(x)\), indicating a productive exchange of ideas without a clear consensus on the best approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework assignments, which may limit the resources or methods they can employ. There is also an acknowledgment of potential misunderstandings regarding the integration techniques discussed.

carbz
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I actually have two here, so I will just list both:

Homework Statement


\int\frac{x}{x^{2}+4x+4}dx


Homework Equations


None


The Attempt at a Solution


I tried this one twice. I honestly have no idea how to do it, and I used integration by parts. The first time, I reduced it down to:
\int\frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{4} + \frac{x}{4}dx
But, this is wrong.

I tried it a second time by using integration by parts to obtain:
\int\frac{x}{(x+2)(x+2)}dx, then I reduced that down, since integration by parts does not work. So, I was hoping to know what I am susposed to do.

The second one is a bit different:

Homework Statement


/int (tan^{2}(x))dx


Homework Equations


tan^{2}(x) + 1 = sec^{2}


The Attempt at a Solution


I used the regular formula that I listed to get:
\int(sec^{2}(x) - 1)dx.
I just integrated to: tan^{2} - x + c
I wanted to see if this one is correct.

Thankyou for your help.
 
Last edited:
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For the first problem you need to use integration by partial fractions to solve it.

You were on the right track in the second problem changing (tanx)^2 to (secx)^2 - 1 now you just have to integrate each seperatly which you did right except for the integral of (secx)^2 is just tanx
 
I did use that too for the first one, and I could not find an answer. When I did it, I got 2=0 which is not an answer.

All right, thank you for the second one.
 
Quicker solution to the first problem:

Use variable substitution: u = x+2
You'll then get:
\int \frac{something}{u^2}du
which you can then separate into powers of u and integrate.

Your integration in the second problem is not quite correct.
Recall that \frac{d}{dx} \tan (x) = \sec^2(x) not tan squared!
 
You got <br /> \int\frac{x}{(x+2)^2}dx

use the substitution u=x+2, so x=u-2 and dx=du and take it from there
 
What both of you are saying will produce:
\int\frac{x}{u^{2}}
Shouldn't the x in the numerator be apart of it too?
 
carbz said:
What both of you are saying will produce:
\int\frac{x}{u^{2}}
Shouldn't the x in the numerator be apart of it too?

You must finish the substitution... rewrite x in terms of u.

[edit: And of course when you're done integrating, rewrite your answer back in terms of x.]
 
yes, you said that u = x+2
The derivative of that is du = 1dx

That would only get:
\int\frac{x}{u^{2}}

Then you would solve x equal to u-2?

That would get:

\int\frac{u-2}{u^{2}}

That would make:
\int\frac{1}{u} - \int\frac{2}{u^{2}} = ln(x) - \frac{-2}{u}
Then, of course, you would put x+2 back in for all u's. Right?
 
Right! (But don't forget the +C!) ;-)
 
  • #10
Hi carbz! :smile:

A partial fractions method (which avoids having to substitue and then substitute back again ) is:

\int\frac{x}{x^{2}+4x+4}dx

=\,\int\frac{x+2}{x^{2}+4x+4}dx<br /> \,-\,\int\frac{2}{x^{2}+4x+4}dx :smile:
 
  • #11
tiny-tim said:
Hi carbz! :smile:

A partial fractions method (which avoids having to substitue and then substitute back again ) is:

\int\frac{x}{x^{2}+4x+4}dx

=\,\int\frac{x+2}{x^{2}+4x+4}dx<br /> \,-\,\int\frac{2}{x^{2}+4x+4}dx :smile:

You've not solved it yet. You'll still need to do a substitution to integrate the partial fractions. Now you must do it twice. Also since its a linear substitution you can do it in your head once you're practiced.
 
  • #12
jambaugh said:
You've not solved it yet. You'll still need to do a substitution to integrate the partial fractions. Now you must do it twice. Also since its a linear substitution you can do it in your head once you're practiced.

his thing = (x+2)/(x+2)^2 - 2/(x+2)^2
so, no *twice* substitution
 
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  • #13
rootX said:
… so, no *twice* substitution

No … jambaugh is right … you and I can do it in our heads, but without that knack it does require a substitution! :smile:
 
  • #14
actually couldn't you do it with partial fractions and integrating once?

you can break up x/(x^2+4x+4) into x/(x+2)^2

therefore by partial fractions you could break it into [x/(x+2)^2]= A/(x+2) + Bx+C/[(x+2)^2]

from there you can solve for A, B, and C and plug that back into your original integral

not sure if that's what you originally ment but idk.
 
  • #15
tron_2.0 said:
… therefore by partial fractions you could break it into [x/(x+2)^2]= A/(x+2) + Bx+C/[(x+2)^2] …

Hi tron_2.0! :smile:

Yes … and B will be 0 …

… but that's exactly what we have done! :smile:
 
  • #16
ahh my mistake, i should have read the replies more closely =[
 
  • #17
Nice one carbz
 
  • #18
OK I take back the "twice", as it is the same substitution and you can write the two summed integrals as a single one.

In effect it is the same two steps in different orders as when I say "you can then separate into powers of u and integrate" this is a trivial case of expansion into partial fractions. Ultimately the preference is one of which you can do more easily the first substitution or the first expansion by partial fractions.
 
  • #19
well, the C is always annoying, but thank you.
 

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