Integration With Trig Substitution Calc II

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral \(\int \frac{\sqrt{196 x^2-144}}{x} dx\), which involves trigonometric substitution techniques typically covered in a Calculus II context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to solve the integral using trigonometric substitution, expressing the integral in terms of \(\theta\) and transforming the integrand accordingly. Some participants question the correctness of the integration steps and suggest checking specific integrals, such as \(\int \tan^2 \theta d\theta\) and the integration of constants.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the original poster's attempts, providing feedback on specific steps and corrections. There is a recognition of potential errors in the integration process, and some guidance is offered regarding the use of trigonometric identities and substitution back to \(x\). Multiple interpretations of the integral's evaluation are being explored.

Contextual Notes

There is an acknowledgment of the original poster's uncertainty about their approach and the correctness of their steps, as well as references to external resources like Wolfram Alpha for comparison. The discussion reflects the challenges of integrating functions involving trigonometric identities.

Wm_Davies
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Homework Statement




[tex]\int \frac{\sqrt{196 x^2-144}}{x} dx[/tex]


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution




I first rewrote the integral...
[tex]\int \frac{\sqrt{(14x)^2-12^2}}{x} dx[/tex]
Then I let...
14x=12sec[tex]\theta[/tex]
thus...
x=6/7sec[tex]\theta[/tex]
dx=6/7sec[tex]\theta tan \theta d \theta[/tex]

My progression of this problem is as follows:

[tex]\int \frac{\sqrt{(144(sec^2 \theta -1)}}{6/7sec \theta} d \theta[/tex]
[tex]12 \int \frac{tan \theta}{6/7sec \theta}(6/7sec \theta tan \theta) d \theta[/tex]
[tex]12 \int tan^2 \theta d \theta[/tex]
[tex]12 \int sec^2 - 1 \theta d \theta[/tex]
[tex]12 tan \theta[/tex]

I am not sure how to finish the problem after that. I am also not sure I did that right since I am very new at this, but I have a feeling everything I did was right.
 
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I didn't check all your steps, but didn't you forget to integrate the -θ in the last integral?

Now draw a little right triangle in the first quadrant with hypotenuse 7x, x-side of 6 and y-side of [itex]\sqrt{(49x^2-36)}[/itex] and polar angle θ. You should be able to read everything off this triangle to get your answer back in terms of x.
 
LCKurtz said:
I didn't check all your steps, but didn't you forget to integrate the -θ in the last integral?

Sorry the last integral was a typo it should be...

[tex]12 \int sec^2 \theta - 1 d \theta[/tex]


Okay so after I fill this in the answer should be...

[tex]\frac{\sqrt{49x^2-36}}{6}+c[/tex]
 
That answer is wrong. I am not sure what mistake I made.
 
Wm_Davies said:
That answer is wrong. I am not sure what mistake I made.

I forgot to multiply it by 12 so I would have had...

[tex]2 \sqrt{49x^2 - 36} + c[/tex]

which is still wrong

I checked Wolfram Alpha and they gave me the answer as...

[tex]2 \sqrt{49 x^2 - 36} + 12 tan^-1\left[\frac {6}{\sqrt{49 x^2 -36}}\right] + c[/tex]

So I now know that I am close, but after checking it with the steps in Wolfram Alpha I am still not sure where I went wrong.
 
Last edited:
What is ∫tan2θ dθ? There's really no need to change tan2θ to sec2θ - 1 that I can see.
Once you find that integral, make sure you substitute for x correctly.
 
Wm_Davies said:
So I now know that I am close, but after checking it with the steps in Wolfram Alpha I am still not sure where I went wrong.
You forgot to integrate the 1 in the integrand.
 
vela said:
You forgot to integrate the 1 in the integrand.

Wow, I did forget to do that! Thanks for noticing that. I got it now.
 

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