# Integration problem

## Homework Statement

find the definite integral $\int\frac{x^3}{\sqrt{x^2 + 1}}$ dx from 0 to 1

## The Attempt at a Solution

This problem is in the integration by parts section .. I chose u = x^3 , and dv=$\frac{1}{\sqrt{x^2 + 1}}$ so v = $\frac{x^4}{4}$ and du = -(x^2 + 1)^($\frac{-3}{2}$) , so the integral is equal to $\frac{x^4}{4}$ . $\frac{1}{√x^2 + 1}$ - $\int\frac{x^4}{4}$ . -(x^2 + 1)^($\frac{-3}{2}$) .. and my problem is the integral on the right hand side of the equation; I don't know how to integrate it and I don't know whether if I've chosen the parts correctly or there is a better way of choosing the parts

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hilbert2
Gold Member
How about first doing a change of variables s=x2. Now ds=2xdx and the integrand simplifies considerably.

STEMucator
Homework Helper
If the change of variable doesn't float your boat, you could use a trig substitution of ##x = atanθ##.

LCKurtz
Homework Helper
Gold Member
It isn't the easiest way to work the problem, but if you really want to use integration by parts, try$$u = x^2,\,dv=\frac x {\sqrt{x^2+1}}$$

SteamKing
Staff Emeritus
Homework Helper
In the OP, if u = x^3, then du = 3x^2 dx, not that weird expression. This is basic differentiation.

And if dv = dx/SQRT(x^2+1), then v certainly is not equal to (1/4)*x^4.

You should review the formulas for derivatives and simple integrals.

HallsofIvy
Homework Helper

## Homework Statement

find the definite integral $\int\frac{x^3}{\sqrt{x^2 + 1}}$ dx from 0 to 1

## The Attempt at a Solution

This problem is in the integration by parts section .. I chose u = x^3 , and dv=$\frac{1}{\sqrt{x^2 + 1}}$ so v = $\frac{x^4}{4}$ and du = -(x^2 + 1)^($\frac{-3}{2}$
You have "u" and "v" confused. With u= x^3, du= 3x^2dx- you differentiated v. With $dv= \frac{1}{\sqrt{x^2+ 1}}$, $v= arctan(x)$- you integrated u.

, so the integral is equal to $\frac{x^4}{4}$ . $\frac{1}{√x^2 + 1}$ - $\int\frac{x^4}{4}$ . -(x^2 + 1)^($\frac{-3}{2}$) .. and my problem is the integral on the right hand side of the equation; I don't know how to integrate it and I don't know whether if I've chosen the parts correctly or there is a better way of choosing the parts

## The Attempt at a Solution

A one solve the definite integral

∫x2/√x2+1 dx={z=x2+1,dz=2*x*dx}=
∫(z-1)/(2√z) dz=1/3*z3/2-√z={x=0⇔z=1,x=1⇔z=2}=(2-√2)/3

LCKurtz
Homework Helper
Gold Member
All these responses and suggestions, and Zerkor never returned to his thread.

It isn't the easiest way to work the problem, but if you really want to use integration by parts, try$$u = x^2,\,dv=\frac x {\sqrt{x^2+1}}$$

I tried this one and it didn't work .. In the sections I've studied in the previous two days I learned trigonometric substitution and miscellaneous substitution; I think I have to try working this problem with those techniques

Thanks a lot guys for your help and I'm sorry for replying after a long period but I didn't access the forum through those two days :)

SteamKing
Staff Emeritus
Homework Helper
Without showing your work, we can't say why integration by parts didn't work for you, except you must have made a mistake. IBP does work for this integral, but your earlier postings show that you do not have a grasp on how to apply it correctly.

Without showing your work, we can't say why integration by parts didn't work for you, except you must have made a mistake. IBP does work for this integral, but your earlier postings show that you do not have a grasp on how to apply it correctly.

May be you are right. But I've just worked it using trigonometric substitution using x = tanθ and it worked correctly .. Maybe there exist a way to find it using IBP but it's a hard way and there is no use for it if there is an easier way :)

LCKurtz