Integration by u substitution for inverse trig formulas

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around integration techniques involving inverse trigonometric functions, specifically focusing on u-substitution methods for integrals like \(\int \frac{1}{a^2 + x^2} dx\). The original poster expresses difficulty in finding comprehensive resources for these integration proofs beyond the arcsine function.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the u-substitution method for inverse trigonometric functions and seek additional resources or keywords for finding relevant formulas. Some participants suggest exploring derivatives of arcsine and arccosine as a means to understand the integration process better.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants sharing links and discussing the adequacy of provided resources. There is an acknowledgment of the need for clarity regarding the integration formulas and their derivations, with some productive suggestions made regarding exploring derivatives.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the challenge of finding specific integration formulas for various inverse trigonometric functions and question the completeness of available resources. There is also mention of a potential misunderstanding regarding the arrangement of variables in the context of the integration formulas.

LearninDaMath
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Homework Statement

You know the U substitution proofs for inverse trig functions that go like this:

\int\frac{1}{a^{2}+x^{2}}dx

\int\frac{a\frac{1}{a}}{a(1+\frac{x^2}{a^2})}dx

let u = x/a

du= dx/a

...

\frac{1}{a}tan^{-1}(x/a)+cI have searched google and can't find any of these proofs for the other trigonometric functions like sin and tan. Where can I find step by steps of these particular integration generalizations?

Do these U substitution methods for inverse trig functions have some sort of specific name?
 
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Hi Hallsofivy, really appreciate it. However, of the links you kindly provided, there is only one instance of a formula of which I'm describing. One for arcsin. But there seems to be no resource on the web that displays all or even 2 or 3 of these particular formulas. I've searched every combination of "inverse," "trigonometric," "integration," "subsititution," "formula(s)." I don't know how else to describe these specific formulas. Do you have any other keyword suggestions or links that provide on this integration topic?
 
LearninDaMath said:

Homework Statement



You know the U substitution proofs for inverse trig functions that go like this:

\int\frac{1}{a^{2}+x^{2}}dx

\displaystyle \int\frac{\not{a}\frac{1}{a}}{a(1+\frac{x^2}{a^2})}dx
I have crossed out an extra letter a , which you had in the numerator.
let u = x/a

du= dx/a
...

\frac{1}{a}tan^{-1}(x/a)+c

I have searched google and can't find any of these proofs for the other trigonometric functions like sin and tan. Where can I find step by steps of these particular integration generalizations?

Do these U substitution methods for inverse trig functions have some sort of specific name?

I don't see how what you have is much of a proof of anything.

You can get this from taking the derivative of tan-1(x/a).
\displaystyle \frac{d}{dx}\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{x}{a}\right)=\frac{1}{a}\frac{1}{(x/a)^2+1}​

To do something similar with arcsin & arccos, go ahead and take the derivatives:

\displaystyle \frac{d}{dx}\sin^{-1}\left(\frac{x}{a}\right)

\displaystyle \frac{d}{dx}\cos^{-1}\left(\frac{x}{a}\right)
 
SammyS said:
I have crossed out an extra letter a , which you had in the numerator.

I don't see how what you have is much of a proof of anything.

You can get this from taking the derivative of tan-1(x/a).
\displaystyle \frac{d}{dx}\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{x}{a}\right)=\frac{1}{a}\frac{1}{(x/a)^2+1}​

To do something similar with arcsin & arccos, go ahead and take the derivatives:

\displaystyle \frac{d}{dx}\sin^{-1}\left(\frac{x}{a}\right)

\displaystyle \frac{d}{dx}\cos^{-1}\left(\frac{x}{a}\right)



I didn't mean proof, sorry about that. I guess I just meant formula. Thanks, I'll give it a try.
 
sin^{-1}\frac{x}{a}=y

\frac{d}{dx}sin^{-1}=\frac{d}{dx}\frac{x}{a}

cos(y)y'= \frac{1}{a}

y'=\frac{1}{acos(y)}

y'=\frac{1}{acos(sin^{-1}(\frac{x}{a})^{2})}

Trig Identity: sin^{2}y+cos^{2}y=1

cosy=\sqrt{1-(\frac{x}{a})^2}

y'=\frac{1}{acos(y)}=\frac{1}{a\sqrt{1-(\frac{x}{a})^{2}}}So when I do the derivative of arcsine, I get \frac{d}{dx}sin^{-1}\frac{x}{a}=\frac{1}{a\sqrt{1-(\frac{x}{a})^{2}}}

However, the formula states:

\int\frac{1}{\sqrt{a^2-x^2}}dx=sin^{-1}\frac{x}{a}+C

I seem to have gotten an "a" outside of the radical and a "1" inside the radical, while the formula shows nothing outside the radical and an "a^{2} inside the radical. Where might I have gone off track to arrive at a final answer with misarranged variables?

EDIT:

I think I see it, would it just be a matter of distributing the "a" into the radical?
 
LearninDaMath said:
...

So when I do the derivative of arcsine, I get \frac{d}{dx}sin^{-1}\frac{x}{a}=\frac{1}{a\sqrt{1-(\frac{x}{a})^{2}}}

However, the formula states:

\int\frac{1}{\sqrt{a^2-x^2}}dx=sin^{-1}\frac{x}{a}+C

I seem to have gotten an "a" outside of the radical and a "1" inside the radical, while the formula shows nothing outside the radical and an "a^{2} inside the radical. Where might I have gone off track to arrive at a final answer with misarranged variables?

EDIT:

I think I see it, would it just be a matter of distributing the "a" into the radical?
Yes, they are equivalent.
 
Thanks SammyS,

SammyS said:
I have crossed out an extra letter a , which you had in the numerator.

I don't see how what you have is much of a proof of anything.

You can get this from taking the derivative of tan-1(x/a).
\displaystyle \frac{d}{dx}\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{x}{a}\right)=\frac{1}{a}\frac{1}{(x/a)^2+1}​

To do something similar with arcsin & arccos, go ahead and take the derivatives:

\displaystyle \frac{d}{dx}\sin^{-1}\left(\frac{x}{a}\right)

\displaystyle \frac{d}{dx}\cos^{-1}\left(\frac{x}{a}\right)
Also,

You show that the derivative of arctanx is:
\displaystyle \frac{d}{dx}\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{x}{a}\right)=\frac{1}{a}\frac{1}{(x/a)^2+1}​

But if I am interested in deriving the function \frac{1}{a}tan^{-1}(\frac{x}{a}) for this particular formula, does the extra fraction \frac{1}{a} that the function to be derived includes account for the final result of \frac{1}{a}\frac{1}{a}\frac{1}{(\frac{x}{a})^{2}+1} = \frac{1}{x^{2}+a^{2}}?
 
Last edited:
LearninDaMath said:
Thanks SammyS,
Also,

You show that the derivative of arctanx is:
\displaystyle \frac{d}{dx}\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{x}{a}\right)=\frac{1}{a}\frac{1}{(x/a)^2+1}​

But if I am interested in deriving the function \frac{1}{a}tan^{-1}(\frac{x}{a}) for this particular formula, does the extra fraction \frac{1}{a} that the function to be derived includes account for the final result of \frac{1}{a}\frac{1}{a}\frac{1}{(\frac{x}{a})^{2}+1} = \frac{1}{x^{2}+a^{2}}?
The algebra says yes.
 

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