Question about trigonometric substitution

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving the integral $$\int \frac{x^2}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\,dx$$ using trigonometric substitution. The user substitutes $$x = \sin(\theta)$$ and arrives at the integral's solution in terms of $$\theta$$, which is $$\frac{\theta}{2} - \frac{\sin(2\theta)}{4}$$. The challenge arises in substituting back for $$\theta$$, specifically when dealing with the term $$\sin(2\sin^{-1}(x))$$. The solution involves applying the double-angle identity for sine and using a right triangle to express the final answer as $$\frac{1}{2}\left(\sin^{-1}(x) - x\sqrt{1-x^2}\right) + C$$.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of trigonometric identities, particularly the double-angle identity for sine.
  • Familiarity with inverse trigonometric functions, specifically $$\sin^{-1}(x)$$.
  • Knowledge of basic calculus concepts, including integration techniques.
  • Ability to visualize and apply the Pythagorean theorem in right triangles.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of trigonometric substitution in integrals, focusing on various forms of integrands.
  • Learn about the double-angle identities in trigonometry and their applications in calculus.
  • Explore the properties and applications of inverse trigonometric functions in integration.
  • Practice solving integrals involving square roots and trigonometric functions to solidify understanding.
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Students preparing for calculus exams, particularly those focusing on integration techniques, as well as educators teaching trigonometric substitution methods in calculus courses.

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Studying for finals here...So I have this specific problem to use trig substitution on.

$$\int \frac{x^2}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\,dx$$

I begin by substituting

$$x={sin{\theta}}$$

I am fine with doing everything up to the point where I have an answer for the integral in terms of \(\theta\). This answer is

$$\frac{\theta}{2}-\frac{sin{2\theta}}{4}$$

I know the first term is just

$$\frac{sin^{-1}x}{2}$$

However the second term is always the part that throws me off. How do you find what to plug back in for \(\theta\) when the \(\theta\) is inside of a sine? Any help is appreciated!
 
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For the second term, you would use:

$\displaystyle \theta=\sin^{-1}(x)$ to get:

$\displaystyle \frac{\sin(2\sin^{-1}(x))}{4}$

Now, using the double-angle identity for sine, we have:

$\displaystyle \frac{2\sin(\sin^{-1}(x))\cos(\sin^{-1}(x))}{4}=$

Draw a right triangle here where the side opposite the angle is x, and the hypotenuse is 1, then use the Pythagorean theorem to determine the adjacent side is $\displaystyle \sqrt{1-x^2}$ and then take the cosine of this angle. We now have:

$\displaystyle \frac{x\sqrt{1-x^2}}{2}$

and so we may conclude:

$\displaystyle \int\frac{x^2}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\,dx=\frac{1}{2}\left(\sin^{-1}(x)-x\sqrt{1-x^2} \right)+C$
 
Ahh wow thank you! For some reason I think I felt like a substitution inside of the trig function wasn't allowed, but now I see and that makes perfect sense. Thanks again :D
 

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