Intergation problem involving square root

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral \(\int_{1}^{3}\sqrt{y^2+\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{16y^4}}dy\), which participants are attempting to simplify or interpret. The subject area includes calculus, specifically integration techniques and simplification of expressions under a square root.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants express uncertainty about how to approach the integral and suggest that it may be simplified. There are attempts to rewrite the integral in different forms, with some questioning the correctness of the original problem statement. Others explore potential factorizations of the expression under the square root.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their thoughts on possible simplifications and interpretations of the integral. Some guidance has been offered regarding the structure of the expression, but no consensus has been reached on the correct approach or simplification.

Contextual Notes

There are indications that the problem may have been miscopied or misunderstood, as participants question the original formulation and explore alternative expressions. The context of the problem is related to arc length, which adds another layer to the discussion.

miglo
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Homework Statement


[tex]\int_{1}^{3}\sqrt{y^2+\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{16y^4}}dy[/tex]


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I don't know what to do with this integral, but i do feel like this can be simplified into something much simpler.
I tried rewriting it as [itex]\frac{1}{4}\int_{1}^{3}\sqrt{\frac{16y^6+8y^4+1}{y^4}}dy[/itex]
but I'm still not getting the same answer as in the back of the book

 
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miglo said:

Homework Statement


[tex]\int_{1}^{3}\sqrt{y^2+\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{16y^4}}dy[/tex]


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I don't know what to do with this integral, but i do feel like this can be simplified into something much simpler.

It can. Fill in the blanks.

[itex]y^2+\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{16y^4}[/itex] = (_ + _)2

edit: I take it back. I thought it was 1/(16y2)
 
Last edited:
Is it [tex]\left(y^2+\frac{1}{4y^2}\right)^{2}[/tex]?
 
miglo said:

Homework Statement


[tex]\int_{1}^{3}\sqrt{y^2+\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{16y^4}}dy[/tex]

miglo said:
Is it [tex]\left(y^2+\frac{1}{4y^2}\right)^{2}[/tex]?
No, given the original problem.

Are you sure that you copied it correctly?

Could the problem have been this integral?

[tex]\int_{1}^{3}\sqrt{y^4+\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{16y^4}}dy[/tex]

If that was the problem, the part inside the radical factors nicely.
 
yeah that doesn't work.
well its an arc length problem
[tex]x=\frac{y^3}{3}+\frac{1}{4y}[/tex]
[tex]\frac{dx}{dy}=y^2-\frac{1}{4y^2}[/tex]
[tex]\int_{1}^{3}\sqrt{1+\left(y^2-\frac{1}{4y^2}\right)^{2}}dy[/tex]
[tex]\int_{1}^{3}\sqrt{1+y^2-\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{16y^4}}dy[/tex]
[tex]\int_{1}^{3}\sqrt{y^2+\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{16y^4}}dy[/tex]
 
miglo said:
[tex]\int_{1}^{3}\sqrt{1+\left(y^2-\frac{1}{4y^2}\right)^{2}}dy[/tex]
[tex]\int_{1}^{3}\sqrt{1+y^2-\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{16y^4}}dy[/tex]

The second line isn't right. Look again.
 
Yeah I see what I'm doing wrong.
It's supposed to be [itex]y^4[/itex]
thanks mark44 and gb7nash
 

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