# Homework Help: Integration help

1. Mar 7, 2010

### James889

Hi,

I would like some help with the following integral

$$\int t^3\cdot \sqrt{1+t^2}~dt$$

I don't know what to do with the $$t^3$$ term.
If it wasn't there it would be easy.

Help appreciated.

2. Mar 7, 2010

### benhou

how about letting $$u=1+t^{2}$$?

3. Mar 7, 2010

### James889

Thats what i thought about too, at first.

But it doesn't get me anywhere

$$t^3\cdot\sqrt{u}$$

4. Mar 7, 2010

### benhou

Well, before taking the integral, you have to have only one variable. What you need to do is to represent dt in terms of du, and t^3 in terms of u.

5. Mar 7, 2010

### James889

Aha!
I think i understand.

So i need $$\int(u-1)\sqrt{u}du$$

How do i proceed now?

6. Mar 7, 2010

### benhou

Well, I think you are done. Don't you see it yet? Just expand and integrate.

7. Mar 7, 2010

### benhou

$$u=1+t^{2}$$
$$du=2tdt$$ or
$$dt=du/(2t)$$

You should have 1/2 somewhere.

Last edited: Mar 7, 2010
8. Mar 7, 2010

### James889

Oh, dang i forgot about that. Thanks!

$$\frac{1}{5}u^{5/2} -u^{3/2}$$

9. Mar 7, 2010

### benhou

Don't forget 1/3