Is there a faster way to integrate this fraction?

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    Fraction Integral
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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of the function \(\frac {1}{(x+1)(x^2 + x -1)^{\frac{1}{2}}}\). Participants explore various methods of integration, including trigonometric substitutions and completing the square, while seeking potentially faster or simpler approaches.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using trigonometric substitutions and completing the square, with some expressing frustration over the complexity of their attempts. Questions arise regarding the form of the integral and the possibility of simplifying it into a more manageable expression.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of different methods, with some participants suggesting specific forms to consider, such as \(\dfrac{f'(x)}{1+f(x)^2}\). Others express uncertainty about the feasibility of finding a simpler solution, indicating a lack of consensus on the best approach.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention constraints related to their current knowledge of integration techniques, including trigonometric and hyperbolic functions, which may limit their ability to fully engage with the problem.

songoku
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Homework Statement
Find the integration of .... (for complete question see "attempt at solution")
Relevant Equations
Integration
Find integration of:
\frac {1}{(x+1)(x^2 + x -1)^\frac{1}{2}}

What I did:
1. Use completing square method for the term inside the square root

2. Use trigonometry substitution (I use secan)

3. After simplifying, use another trigonometry substitution (I use weierstrass substitution)

4. Use another trigonometry substitution (I use tan)My working was so long and taking too much time. Is there any other way to solve this integration?

Thanks
 
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Can you bring it into the form ## \dfrac{f'(x)}{1+f(x)^2}## where ##f(x)## is the quotient of a polynomial in ##x## and the root ##\sqrt{x^2+x-1}## in the denominator? Find ##f(x)## and then you get ##\tan^{-1} f(x)## as antiderivative (up to a sign).
 
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I am afraid this integral has no easy route to calculate it...

Unless of course someone whispers you "Psst, this integral is of the form ##\tan^{-1}f(x)## " in which case you could try to find f(x) as suggested in post #4.
 
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Delta2 said:
I am afraid this integral has no easy route to calculate it...

Unless of course someone whispers you "Psst, this integral is of the form ##\tan^{-1}f(x)## " in which case you could try to find f(x) as suggested in post #4.

Unfortunately even though I heard the whisper I still can not do anything :doh:

fresh_42 said:
Can you bring it into the form ## \dfrac{f'(x)}{1+f(x)^2}## where ##f(x)## is the quotient of a polynomial in ##x## and the root ##\sqrt{x^2+x-1}## in the denominator? Find ##f(x)## and then you get ##\tan^{-1} f(x)## as antiderivative (up to a sign).

Sorry I can not. You mean I have to find f(x), which is the quotient of a certain polynomial (let say g(x)) divided by x2 + x - 1?

g(x) : (x2 + x - 1) and the quotient of this long division is f(x)? Before finding f(x), I need to find g(x) first?

Thanks
 
Well, WolframAlpha has the solution: something like ##-\arctan \dfrac{x+a}{b\sqrt{x^2+x-1}}##, so the reverse inspection, i.e. the derivative of ##\arctan## points the way.

I thought about the Weierstraß substitution ##t=\tan \frac{x}{2}## which is normally used to turn trigonometric integrands into polynomials, and apply it the other way around, but it didn't look promising. So I have no idea what the best purely forward path is.
 
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ok. thank you very much for the help fresh_42 and delta2
 
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Considering the substitutions your text as armed you with so far, I suspect that there may have been a misprint in your problem assignment and the integration is actually$$\int \frac {dx} {(2x + 1) \sqrt {x^2 + x -1}}$$
 

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