Integration using natural logs, help (beginning of my calc 2 class)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of the function (2x-1)/(x+1) over the interval from 0 to 6, with a focus on using natural logarithms in the integration process. Participants are exploring various methods to arrive at the provided answer of 12-3 ln 7.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to break down the integral into simpler components but expresses uncertainty about the legality of their approach. They also raise questions about the applicability of u-substitution, noting concerns about the relationship between the function and its derivative.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing different methods to tackle the integration problem, including the use of u-substitution. Some guidance has been provided regarding the substitution process, which appears to have been helpful to the original poster in clarifying their understanding of the problem.

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions previous instructions regarding u-substitution, indicating a potential misunderstanding of when it is applicable. There is also a reference to the specific answer they were given, which may influence their approach to the problem.

Vagabond7
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Homework Statement


Ok, so I have the problem, and I have the answer, but I don't know how they arrived at the answer. I'll show you the problem, and what I tried and maybe somebody can point out where I am going wrong, or some hints to put me on the right path.

(2x-1)/(x+1) being integrated on ∫ 0 to 6

this lesson is supposed to be demonstrating how to integrate using natural log.

The answer I was given was

12-3 ln 7

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried a variety of things, none of which led me to the given solution. I tried breaking it up into (2x)/(x+1)-(1)/(x+1) and then integrating each piece (which I'm not sure is a "legal" move) getting x^2 ln (x+1)-x ln (x+1), or trying it as x^2-x ln (x+1) neither of which gets me to the final answer.

Now there was a hint to use "U substitution" but I had in the past been told that I can only do "u substitution" if the derivative is found elsewhere in the function or the derivative is off by a constant factor. the derivative of neither expression is the other off by a constant factor (they would both be off by a variable x), so I'm not sure how to do a "u substitution" in that case. Halp?
 
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Vagabond7 said:

Homework Statement


Ok, so I have the problem, and I have the answer, but I don't know how they arrived at the answer. I'll show you the problem, and what I tried and maybe somebody can point out where I am going wrong, or some hints to put me on the right path.

(2x-1)/(x+1) being integrated on ∫ 0 to 6

this lesson is supposed to be demonstrating how to integrate using natural log.

The answer I was given was

12-3 ln 7

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried a variety of things, none of which led me to the given solution. I tried breaking it up into (2x)/(x+1)-(1)/(x+1) and then integrating each piece (which I'm not sure is a "legal" move) getting x^2 ln (x+1)-x ln (x+1), or trying it as x^2-x ln (x+1) neither of which gets me to the final answer.

Now there was a hint to use "U substitution" but I had in the past been told that I can only do "u substitution" if the derivative is found elsewhere in the function or the derivative is off by a constant factor. the derivative of neither expression is the other off by a constant factor (they would both be off by a variable x), so I'm not sure how to do a "u substitution" in that case. Halp?

Put u=(x+1). Then du=dx and x=(u-1). Substitute that into 2x-1 to get the numerator in terms of u.
 
$$\int_0^6 \! \frac{2x-1}{x+1}\, \mathrm{dx}=\int_0^6 \! \frac{2(x+1)-3}{x+1}\, \mathrm{dx}=\int_0^6 \! \left(2-3\frac{1}{x+1} \right)\, \mathrm{dx}$$
 
Oh, I forgot to thank you guys. That totally cleared up that problem and helped a lot with methods for a couple of other ones. Thanks gentlemen!
 

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