Solving an integral using an special substitution

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Homework Help Overview

The thread discusses various approaches to solving integrals, specifically focusing on the use of substitutions in trigonometric integrals. The original poster presents an integral involving the square root of a quadratic expression, while others introduce different integrals and substitution methods.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the substitution \( x = 2\sin\theta \) for the integral \( \int \sqrt{4-x^2} \, dx \) and discuss the implications of using trigonometric identities. Others suggest alternative substitutions, such as \( x = 3\sinh(t) \) for a different integral, and question the validity of the approaches taken.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of different methods for solving the integrals presented. Some participants have provided hints and suggestions for using identities or alternative substitutions, while others express uncertainty about specific steps in their calculations. The discussion remains open with various perspectives being shared.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of careful substitution and the potential for mistakes in returning to original variables. There are also reminders about forum etiquette regarding posting new questions in separate threads.

Telemachus
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Homework Statement


Well, the exercise asks me to solve the next integral using an adequate substitution.
\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\sqrt[ ]{4-x^2}dx

The Attempt at a Solution


\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\sqrt[ ]{4-x^2}dx

What I did was:

x=2\sin\theta

dx=2\cos\theta d\theta

So, then I get
\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\sqrt[ ]{4-x^2}dx=4\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\cos^2\theta d\theta=cos\theta\sin\theta+\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\sin^2\theta d\theta=cos\theta\sin\theta+\displaystyle\int_{}^{}(1-\cos^2\theta) d\theta=
=cos\theta\sin\theta+\displaystyle\int_{}^{}d\theta-\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\cos^2\theta

\Rightarrow{5\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\cos^2\theta d\theta=cos\theta\sin\theta+\theta}\Rightarrow{\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\cos^2\theta d\theta=\displaystyle\frac{1}{5}cos\theta\sin\theta+\displaystyle\frac{\theta}{5}}

\theta=\arcsin(\displaystyle\frac{x}{2})
\sin\theta=(\displaystyle\frac{x}{2})

\cos\theta=\sqrt[ ]{1-\sin^2\theta}

\cos\theta=\sqrt[ ]{1-\displaystyle\frac{x^2}{4}}

\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\sqrt[ ]{4-x^2}=\displaystyle\frac{x}{10}\sqrt[ ]{1-\displaystyle\frac{x^2}{4}}+\displaystyle\frac{\arcsin(\displaystyle\frac{x}{2})}{5}

I think I've made a mistake, but I don't know in which step. Perhaps when I've get back to the original variables, or when I've solved by parts the integral of the square of the cosine.

Bye there, and thanks for posting.
 
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Telemachus said:

Homework Statement


Well, the exercise asks me to solve the next integral using an adequate substitution.
\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\sqrt[ ]{4-x^2}dx

The Attempt at a Solution


\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\sqrt[ ]{4-x^2}dx

What I did was:

x=2\sin\theta

dx=2\cos\theta d\theta

So, then I get
\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\sqrt[ ]{4-x^2}dx=4\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\cos^2\theta d\theta

[

Right there, try using the identity

\cos^2\theta = \frac{1+\cos(2\theta)}{2}
 
Thank you LCKurtz.
 
Can somebody tell me if this is right?

I must solve:
\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\displaystyle\frac{dx}{\sqrt[ ]{9+x^2}}

And I used the substitutions:
x=3sinht
dx=3coshtdt

And the identity:

cosh^2t-sinh^2t=1\Rightarrow{\cosht=\sqrt[ ]{1+sinh^2t}}

\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\displaystyle\frac{dx}{\sqrt[ ]{9+x^2}}=\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\displaystyle\frac{3coshtdt}{\sqrt[ ]{3^2+(3sinht)^2}}=\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\displaystyle\frac{3coshtdt}{\sqrt[ ]{3^2(1+sinh^2t)}}=\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\displaystyle\frac{coshtdt}{cosht}=\displaystyle\int_{}^{}dt=t+C=argsh(\displaystyle\frac{x}{3})+C
 
Last edited:
I don't see anything obviously wrong, but I would have used a different substitution, tan(theta) = x/3.
 
Thanks Mark.

What about this one? I don't know how to proceed now:

\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\displaystyle\frac{dt}{\sin(t)}

I've solved this using the table, with definition of cosecant: \displaystyle\int_{}^{}\displaystyle\frac{dt}{\sin(t)}=\ln|csc(t)-cot(t)|+C

This was the result of solving: \displaystyle\int_{}^{}\displaystyle\frac{dx}{x\sqrt[ ]{1-x^2}}=\ln|csc(arcsin(x))-cot(arcsin(x))|+C

But now...
\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\displaystyle\frac{dx}{x^2\sqrt[ ]{4-x^2}}

x=2\sin(t)
dx=2\cos(t)dt

\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\displaystyle\frac{dx}{x^2\sqrt[ ]{4-x^2}}=\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\displaystyle\frac{2\cos(t)dt}{4\sin^2(t)\sqrt[ ]{2^2-(2\sin(t)^2}}=\displaystyle\frac{1}{4}\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\displaystyle\frac{dt}{\sin^2(t)}}=\displaystyle\frac{1}{4}\displaystyle\int_{}^{}csc^2(t)dt

I thought of solving by parts, but...

u=csc(t)
du=-csc(t)cot(t)dt

dv=csc(t)dt
v=\ln|csc(t)-cot(t)|
 
Telemachus said:
\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\displaystyle\frac{dx}{x^2\sqrt[ ]{4-x^2}}=\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\displaystyle\frac{2\cos(t)dt}{4\sin^2(t)\sqrt[ ]{2^2-(2\sin(t)^2}}=\displaystyle\frac{1}{4}\displaystyle\int_{}^{}\displaystyle\frac{dt}{\sin^2(t)}}=\displaystyle\frac{1}{4}\displaystyle\int_{}^{}csc^2(t)dt

I thought of solving by parts, but...

Hint: What is the derivative of cot(t)?

Also Forum procedures suggest that you post new questions in a new thread.
 
Thanks LCKurtz. Srry for posting here again, is just that is the same kind of problem, I didn't wanted to flood with topics of mine.

I've arrived to this solution:
\displaystyle\frac{1}{4}\displaystyle\int_{}^{}csc^2(t )dt=-\displaystyle\frac{1}{4}cot(arcsin(\displaystyle\frac{x}{2}))
 
LCKurtz said:
Right there, try using the identity

\cos^2\theta = \frac{1+\cos(2\theta)}{2}

For the record, the method the opening poster used (integration by parts) is perfectly valid, and IMHO fairly clever. His problem there is that he forgot the 4 outside of the inetgral.
 
  • #10
Thanks, I've solved it both ways :)

Using that substitution drives faster to the solution.
 
  • #11
Another way (and I believe that this is the classical way of looking at it)
<br /> I=\int\frac{dx}{\sin x}=\int\frac{\sin xdx}{\sin^{2}x}=\int\frac{\sin xdx}{1-\cos^{2}x}<br />
Then split using partial fractions to obtain:
<br /> I=\frac{1}{2}\int\frac{\sin x}{1-\cos x}dx+\frac{1}{2}\int\frac{\sin x}{1+\cos x}dx<br />
The integral may be easily computed to arrive at:
<br /> I=-\frac{1}{2}\log (1-\cos x)+\frac{1}{2}\log (1+\cos x)<br />
Now with a bit of algebra which includes a bit of trig identities, we arrive at the answer:
<br /> I=\log |\cot x+cosec x|<br />
 
Last edited:
  • #12
Thank you hunt_mat. I always enjoy seeing the many perspectives that surges from facing a problem in this forum.
 
  • #13
In case anyone has lost track, the work below refers to the integral in post #6, not the one in the OP.
hunt_mat said:
Another way (and I believe that this is the classical way of looking at it)
<br /> I=\int\frac{dx}{\sin x}=\int\frac{\sin xdx}{\sin^{2}x}=\int\frac{\sin xdx}{1-\cos^{2}x}<br />
Then split using partial fractions to obtain:
<br /> I=\frac{1}{2}\int\frac{\sin x}{1-\cos x}dx+\frac{1}{2}\int\frac{\sin x}{1+\cos x}dx<br />
The integral may be easily computed to arrive at:
<br /> I=-\frac{1}{2}\log (1-\cos x)+\frac{1}{2}\log (1+\cos x)<br />
Now with a bit of algebra which includes a bit of trig identities, we arrive at the answer:
<br /> I=\log |\cot x+cosec x|<br />

A different approach is the following:
\int\frac{dx}{\sin x} = \int csc~x~dx = \int csc~x\frac{csc~x + cot~x}{csc~x + cot~x}dx
= \int \frac{csc^2~x + csc~x cot~x}{csc~x + cot~x}dx

Now you can use an ordinary substitution, u = csc(x) + cot(x), du = -csc2(x) - csc(x)cot(x)dx, to get -ln|csc(x) + cot(x)| + C.
 
  • #14
Mine was easier. :o)
 
  • #15
I don't think so. Mine involved multiplying by 1 and an ordinary substitution. Yours requires partial fraction decomposition.
 
  • #16
It's even easier to just substitute -ln|csc(x)+cot(x)|+C for the integral. :-p
 
  • #17
The multiplication by 1 bit was inspired, I wouldn't have thought about doing that. All the inspired bit that I did was again multiply by 1 but this time it was much more intuitive. Partial fraction are something everyone should know, it's a simple technique that is easily applied.
 

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