# Integration, u substitution, 1/u

[SOLVED] Integration, u substitution, 1/u

-- +C at the end of the integral solutions, I can't seem to add it in the LaTeX thing --

## Homework Statement

#1 $$\int\frac{1}{8-4x}dx$$
#2 $$\int\frac{1}{2x}dx$$

## The Attempt at a Solution

#1
Rewrite algebraically:
$$\int\frac{1}{x-2}*\frac{-1}{4}dx$$

Pull out constant:
$$\frac{-1}{4}\int\frac{1}{x-2}dx$$

Usub, u=x-2, du=1*dx,
$$\frac{-1}{4}\int\frac{1}{u}du$$

$$\frac{-ln(u)}{4}$$ -> Answer: $$\frac{-ln(x-2)}{4}$$

#2
Pull out constant: $$\frac{1}{2}*\int\frac{1}{x}dx$$

Answer: $$\frac{ln(x)}{2}$$

--OR, if I don't pull out constants--

#1
Usub, u=8-4x, du=-4dx,
$$\frac{-1}{4}*\int\frac{1}{u}du$$

$$\frac{-ln(u)}{4}$$ -> Answer: $$\frac{-ln(8-4x)}{4}$$, which =/= $$\frac{-ln(x-2)}{4}$$

#2
Usub, u=2x, du = 2dx,
$$\frac{1}{2}$$$$\int\frac{1}{u}du$$

$$\frac{ln(u)}{2}$$ -> Answer: $$\frac{ln(2x)}{2}$$, which =/= $$\frac{ln(x)}{2}$$

I know the answers are -1/4*ln(8-4x) and ln(x)/2 respectively, but I don't understand why I cannot pull out the constant for the first one, yet I am required to pull it out for the second?

Bonus question: Why does my TI-89 integrate #1 incorrectly, but #2 correctly? :(

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(8-4x),x ... did you mean dx? cuz i'm confused.

#2 is correct for sure, let me go back to # 1.

i'm getting dizzy reading your text but from what i see, your algebra-manipulation should have been for #1

$$\frac{1}{4}\int\frac{1}{2-x}$$

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Yeah, by integrate(4x,x) I would mean 4x*dx. It's standard notation when typing integrals for calculators/CAS's etc, I did it that way because I was thinking the forums might automatically convert it to the proper mathematical symbols.

Yeah, by integrate(4x,x) I would mean 4x*dx. It's standard notation when typing integrals for calculators/CAS's etc, I did it that way because I was thinking the forums might automatically convert it to the proper mathematical symbols.
oh sorry, i did not know that! :)

i'm getting dizzy reading your text but from what i see, your algebra-manipulation should have been for #1

$$\frac{1}{4}\int\frac{1}{2-x}$$

Ah hah, that's how you make it pretty!

Anyway yeah, I have $$\frac{-1}{4}\int\frac{1}{x-2}$$
which is equivalent and still valid, right?

Ah hah, that's how you make it pretty!

Anyway yeah, I have $$\frac{-1}{4}\int\frac{1}{x-2}$$
which is equivalent and still valid, right?

yep, don't forget + C ;) .. -1 or maybe the whole problem will be counted wrong, lol :D

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when you do your final integrations the ln shouldn't be in the denominator of the fraction.

It's (-1/4)*(lnx-2)+c which gives -ln(x-2)/4 + C the same goes for the second one.

when you do your final integrations the ln shouldn't be in the denominator of the fraction.

It's (-1/4)*(lnx-2)+c which gives -ln(x-2)/4 + C the same goes for the second one.

Oh sorry, just an error while converting to [tex] images I think.

-ln(x-2)/4+c is incorrect though, which is my problem.

I'm not sure why you pulled the constant out in the first place. I would go u = 8-4x du= -4dx and then write (-1/4)*integral 1/u du.

Integrate and get (-1/4)ln(8-4x)

the second one I would make u = 2x du = 2dx and then write the integral as 1/2 * integral 1/u * du and the integrate and get (1/2) ln (2x)

I'm not sure why you pulled the constant out in the first place. I would go u = 8-4x du= -4dx and then write (-1/4)*integral 1/u du.

Integrate and get (-1/4)ln(8-4x)

the second one I would make u = 2x du = 2dx and then write the integral as 1/2 * integral 1/u * du and the integrate and get (1/2) ln (2x)

Right, I did both of them both ways. If you do not pull out the constants, you get the correct answer for #1. However, #2 is not (1/2)*ln(2x), it is ln(x)/2.

Summary:
Pull out constants:
#1 wrong, #2 right

Do NOT pull out constants:
#1 right, #2 wrong

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there really is no benefit in simplifying this problem, i would just go at what you're given.

there really is no benefit in simplifying this problem, i would just go at what you're given.

I'm not sure what you're saying. I shouldn't pull out constants?

Why is it wrong to pull them out then?
And how do you correctly do #2 without pulling out constants first?

for 1, integrate by u subst., but 2 you have to pull out the constant.

i just don't see a point in pulling out a constant for 1 b/c you run the risk of making algebraic mistakes, that's all really.

for 1, integrate by u subst., but 2 you have to pull out the constant.

i just don't see a point in pulling out a constant for 1 b/c you run the risk of making algebraic mistakes, that's all really.

I agree, but why is it wrong when I do? I think we can agree that there are no algebraic mistakes there. Why do I HAVE to pull them out for #2?

Avodyne
ln(2x) = ln(x) + ln(2) = ln(x) + C, with C = ln(2). Since indefinite integrals are only defined up to an additive constant, your two answers are the same. This is true for both problems.

ln(2x) = ln(x) + ln(2) = ln(x) + C, with C = ln(2). Since indefinite integrals are only defined up to an additive constant, your two answers are the same. This is true for both problems.

Ah hah! Thanks :) [hits self on head]

Avodyne