Integration via Trigonometric Substitution

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the integral \(\int{\frac{x^2}{(1-x^2)^\frac{5}{2}}}dx\) using trigonometric substitution. Participants are exploring the transition from the variable \(x\) to \(\theta\) and the implications of this substitution on the integral's form.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the initial substitution \(x = \sin\theta\) and its impact on the integral. There are questions about the correct transformation of \(dx\) to \(d\theta\) and the resulting expressions. Some participants suggest using different trigonometric functions and clarify the relationship between \(dx\) and \(d\theta\).

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing guidance on the necessary steps for substitution and clarifying misunderstandings. There is recognition of a potential typo in the transformation of the integral, and participants are probing the correct relationship between \(dx\) and \(d\theta\) as they work through the problem.

Contextual Notes

There is an emphasis on ensuring that the differential \(dx\) is appropriately connected to \(d\theta\) through the substitution, highlighting the importance of the chain rule in this context. Some participants express uncertainty about the trigonometric identities involved.

Cpt Qwark
Messages
45
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement


Evaluate \int{\frac{x^2}{(1-x^2)^\frac{5}{2}}}dx via trigonometric substitution.
You can do this via normal u-substitution but I'm unsure of how to evaluate via trigonometric substitution.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


Letting x=sinθ,
\int{\frac{sin^{2}θ}{(1-sin^{2}θ)^\frac{5}{2}}}dθ=\int{\frac{sin^{2}θ}{(cos^{2}θ)^\frac{5}{2}}}dθ
but I'm not sure how the working in the answers gets up to \int{\frac{x^2}{(1-x^2)^\frac{5}{2}}}dx=\int{\frac{sin^{2}θ}{cos^{4}θ}}dθ.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Try to change the last integral by using other trigonometric functions, like ## \tan\theta ## and ## \sec\theta.##
 
Oh, I misunderstand what you want to know. I thought you want to calculate the last thing.

When you starts from the beginning, there should be ## dx##, the integral variable. Then, I think you may find what you missed during your calculation.
 
So what is wrong with this:
\int{\frac{sin^{2}θ}{(cos^{2}θ)^\frac{5}{2}}}dθ=<br /> <blockquote data-attributes="member: 573183" data-quote="Daeho Ro" data-source="post: 5253790" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> Daeho Ro said: </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Oh, I misunderstand what you want to know. I thought you want to calculate the last thing.<br /> <br /> When you starts from the beginning, there should be ## dx##, the integral variable. Then, I think you may find what you missed during your calculation. </div> </div> </blockquote><br /> Yeah I forgot to type that in, anyway it&#039;s trig identity I&#039;m kinda having trouble with atm.
 
## dx ## cannot change directly ## d\theta ##. They have to connected by some function.
 
Daeho Ro said:
## dx ## cannot change directly ## d\theta ##. They have to connected by some function.

Not too sure what you mean by that.
For functions with the form \sqrt{a^2-x^2} you can express them as x=asinθ
 
See,

\int \dfrac{x^2}{(1-x^2)^{5/2}} dx = \int \dfrac{ \sin^2\theta}{(1-\sin^2\theta)^{5/2}} dx = \int \dfrac{\sin^2 \theta}{\cos^5\theta} dx \neq \int \dfrac{\sin^2 \theta}{\cos^5\theta} d\theta.
You missed something in the lase step.
 
Yeah it was a typo...
 
Then, what is ## dx ## as a function of ## \theta ##?
 
  • #10
The denominator is somehow supposed to be cos^{4}θ, not cos^{5}θ. That's all I need help with, nothing else.
 
  • #11
Cpt Qwark said:
The denominator is somehow supposed to be cos^{4}θ, not cos^{5}θ. That's all I need help with, nothing else.
Yes, I know and you almost reach the final goal.

##dx## have to change as ## d\theta ## because the last integration is in a form ## \int (\cdots) d\theta ##. But as you know, ## dx \neq d\theta ##.

What is ## dx / d\theta ##? It's really strong hint about this problem.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Cpt Qwark
  • #12
I hope you already got the answer for the problem.

The key idea is chain rule. The differentiation of ## x## with respect to ## \theta ## is ## dx/d\theta = \cos\theta ##. Then, the integration will change as
$$ \int \dfrac{\sin^2\theta}{\cos^5\theta} dx = \int \dfrac{\sin^2\theta}{\cos^5\theta} \dfrac{dx}{d\theta} d\theta = \int \dfrac{\sin^2\theta}{\cos^5\theta} \cos \theta d\theta = \int \dfrac{\sin^2\theta}{\cos^4\theta} d\theta.$$
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 105 ·
4
Replies
105
Views
8K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K