Integration by trig. substitution

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on a student seeking help with a trigonometric substitution exercise before an exam. The provided solution in the textbook differs from the student's work, prompting a request for feedback. Key issues identified include a misinterpretation of the substitution variable, specifically the transition from "u = x + 1" to "u + 2" in the numerator. Additionally, there is confusion regarding the translation of secant back to x, indicating a misunderstanding of the relationship between sec(θ) and the substitution. Overall, the conversation highlights common pitfalls in trigonometric substitution problems.
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Hello everyone
I have an exam tomorrow and I would really appreciate if someone could tell me what I did wrong with this exercice. I did it on paper and I scanned it. Here is the link to the scan:

The answer in the book is sqrt(x^2 + x +5/4) + 2ln(sqrt(x^2 + 2x + 2) + x +1) + C

http://img223.echo.cx/img223/8425/problem490012al.jpg

It is hosted on imageshack.us
download it and open it in windows so you can change the zoom size for better viewing

Thanks a lot in advance !
 
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If u = x + 1, where does u + 1 come from? That is just the first thing I saw, it may lead to your other problems.
 
It should be "u+2" in the numerator after doing the first sub.

Daniel.
 
dextercioby said:
It should be "u+2" in the numerator after doing the first sub.

Daniel.

Woops. Was this the only problem? I think this only changes the arctg from the final answer and not the ln(..) of the answer. I hate when this type of error happens..
 
Last edited:
When translating from theta back to x, you mistranslated sec(t).

Next to the triangle you have

sec(\theta) = \frac{1}{\cos(\theta)} = \frac{1}{u}

cos(theta) is not u, try looking at it again.
 
whozum said:
When translating from theta back to x, you mistranslated sec(t).

Next to the triangle you have

sec(\theta) = \frac{1}{\cos(\theta)} = \frac{1}{u}

cos(theta) is not u, try looking at it again.

Thanks a lot :)
 
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