Integration: inverse trigonometric functions

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral ∫(t/√(1-t^4))dt, which involves inverse trigonometric functions and integration techniques. Participants are exploring the proper formulation and potential solutions for this integral.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants suggest expressing the variable t in terms of u to facilitate integration. Others propose rewriting the integral in a different form to simplify the process. There are also questions about the correctness of the original integral and whether it contains a typo.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing various approaches to the integral, with some expressing uncertainty about the existence of a solution in terms of standard functions. A few have noted a potential typo in the original statement of the integral, which may affect the outcome. There is no explicit consensus yet, but several lines of reasoning are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention that the integral may not have a solution in terms of usual functions, and there is a reference to a solution provided in the back of a textbook, which adds to the complexity of the discussion.

Maddie1609
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Homework Statement


∫(t/√(1-t4))dt

Homework Equations



∫(du/√(a2 - u2)) = arcsin (u/a) + C

∫(du/(a2 + u2) = (1/a) arctan (u/a)

∫(du/(u√(u2 - a2))) = (1/a) arcsec (|u|/a)

The Attempt at a Solution



Screenshot_2015-09-13-14-47-36.png


Edit: I meant to write u where t2 is[/B]
 
Last edited:
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That is not a proper way to write an integral. You should express t in terms of u.
##dt=\frac{dt}{2t}=\frac{dt}{2\sqrt{u}}##.
But this does not make the integral easy.
Instead, have you tried expressing it as $$\frac{1}{2}\int\frac{1+t^2+1-t^2}{\sqrt{(1+t^2)(1-t^2)}}dt$$
 
Titan97 said:
That is not a proper way to write an integral. You should express t in terms of u.
##dt=\frac{dt}{2t}=\frac{dt}{2\sqrt{u}}##.
But this does not make the integral easy.
Instead, have you tried expressing it as $$\frac{1}{2}\int\frac{1+t^2+1-t^2}{\sqrt{(1+t^2)(1-t^2)}}dt$$
I edited under that I meant to replace t2 with u :) No, but I wouldn't know what to do with it anyway?
 
My guess is that that integral does not have a solution in terms of the usual functions.
 
stevendaryl said:
My guess is that that integral does not have a solution in terms of the usual functions.
In the back of my book it says the answer is (1/2) arcsin (t2) + C, but I don't know how to get there :-/
 
Titan97 said:
That is not a proper way to write an integral. You should express t in terms of u.
##dt=\frac{dt}{2t}=\frac{dt}{2\sqrt{u}}##.
But this does not make the integral easy.
Instead, have you tried expressing it as $$\frac{1}{2}\int\frac{1+t^2+1-t^2}{\sqrt{(1+t^2)(1-t^2)}}dt$$
Screenshot_2015-09-13-15-19-06.png

What can I do next?
 
Maddie1609 said:
In the back of my book it says the answer is (1/2) arcsin (t2) + C, but I don't know how to get there :-/

Hmm. Is it possible that there is a typo in your original integral? I get that answer if the original integral was as shown on the left-hand side below:

\int \dfrac{t dt}{\sqrt{1-t^4}} = \frac{1}{2} arcsin(t^2)
 
stevendaryl said:
Hmm. Is it possible that there is a typo in your original integral? I get that answer if the original integral was as shown on the left-hand side below:

\int \dfrac{t dt}{\sqrt{1-t^4}} = \frac{1}{2} arcsin(t^2)
Yes that is the integral, did I not write it correctly in my original post? How do you get your equations to look like that?o0)
Edit: I just saw I wrote 1 instead of t, so sorry!
 
Use LaTeX
 
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  • #10
Maddie1609 said:
Yes that is the integral, did I not write it correctly in my original post? How do you get your equations to look like that?o0)
Edit: I just saw I wrote 1 instead of t, so sorry!

To prove that, you make the substitution:

t = \sqrt{u}

then the integral in terms of u should be one of the ones you listed in your first post.
 
  • #11
stevendaryl said:
To prove that, you make the substitution:

t = \sqrt{u}

then the integral in terms of u should be one of the ones you listed in your first post.
Think I got it, thanks :smile:

Screenshot_2015-09-13-15-36-37.png
 

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