Solved: Help with Primitive Calculus Problem

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a calculus problem involving the integration of a function with a square root and a rational expression. The original poster seeks assistance with the integral \(\int\frac{dx}{x^{2}\sqrt{4-x^{2}}}\), expressing feelings of being blocked and overwhelmed by the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various methods for solving the integral, including substitution techniques and integration by parts. The original poster mentions attempts with different substitutions that did not yield satisfactory results. Others suggest trigonometric substitution as a potential solution, and there is a focus on simplifying the integral through various transformations.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants exploring different approaches to the integral. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of trigonometric identities and derivatives, but there is no clear consensus on the best method to proceed. The original poster continues to express difficulty in simplifying the integral.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of integration techniques, with some expressing frustration over the increasing complexity of their attempts. There is an emphasis on the need for clarity in the steps taken and the transformations applied.

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Help in a primitive!

Homework Statement



Hello guys! Please, I'm really needing help in a primitive... I don't know, maybe it has a simple solution, but I'm tired and blocked on this... Can you give some lights? Here goes the equation:

\int\frac{dx}{x^{2}\sqrt{4-x^{2}}}

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I tried substitution of 4-x^2 and of x^2, but none of them work... I also tried by parts, with u'=1/(x^2) and v=1/sqrt(4-x^2), but it looks like it becomes even heavier... Can you help me?

Thanks to all and to this great site!
 
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Trig substitution is the obvious best choice here.
 


Tom Mattson said:
Trig substitution is the obvious best choice here.

Yes, of course, you're right! Many Thanks! :) I made x=2*sin(t) and I got:

\int\frac{dt}{4sin^{2}\left(t\right)}
 


Ok, I'm stucked again... I tried:

\frac{1}{4}\int\frac{sin^{2}\left(t\right)+cos^{2}\left(t\right)}{sin^{2}\left(t\right)}dt

which gave:

\frac{t}{4}+\int\frac{cos^{2}\left(t\right)}{sin^{2}\left(t\right)}dt

Any ideas? I tried partial and substitution but it's a mess...
 


Try and differentiate cot(x)=cos(x)/sin(x), ok? What do you get?
 


Dick said:
Try and differentiate cot(x)=cos(x)/sin(x), ok? What do you get?

I substituted the fraction above by the cot(t) and then I made the primitive by parts, considering

u'=1 and thus u=t
v=cot(t) and thus v'=-2cot(t)/((sin(t))^2)

Then, I tried to develop the following:

\int\frac{cos^{2}\left(t\right)}{sin^{2}\left(t\right)}=t\cot^{2}\left(t\right)+\int\frac{2t\cot\left(t\right)}{sin^{2}\left(t\right)}

What do you think about this? I can try to substitute cot(t) by cos(t)/sin(t), but I'll get a (sin(x))^3 in the denominator... The point is that it seems I'm getting a primitive even more complicated...
 


You are making this way too complicated. You wanted to find the integral of dt/sin(t)^2. All I was trying to point out is that the derivative of cot(t) is -1/sin(t)^2. Doesn't that make it easy?
 

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