Integration by u substitution for inverse trig formulas

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the integration of inverse trigonometric functions using U substitution, specifically the integral \(\int \frac{1}{a^2 + x^2} dx\) leading to \(\frac{1}{a} \tan^{-1}(\frac{x}{a}) + C\). Participants seek comprehensive resources for U substitution proofs for arcsin and arccos, noting a lack of available formulas online. Key insights include the derivation of the formulas through differentiation, confirming that the derivatives of \(\tan^{-1}(\frac{x}{a})\), \(\sin^{-1}(\frac{x}{a})\), and \(\cos^{-1}(\frac{x}{a})\) yield the necessary integration results.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of U substitution in calculus
  • Familiarity with inverse trigonometric functions
  • Knowledge of differentiation techniques
  • Basic algebra skills for manipulating expressions
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the integration techniques for \(\sin^{-1}(x/a)\) and \(\cos^{-1}(x/a)\)
  • Study the differentiation of inverse trigonometric functions
  • Explore comprehensive calculus resources on U substitution methods
  • Practice solving integrals involving inverse trigonometric functions
USEFUL FOR

Students studying calculus, educators teaching integration techniques, and anyone looking to deepen their understanding of inverse trigonometric function integration.

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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