Solving Change of Variables: x^3 / (e^x - 1) dx

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving the integral of the expression x^3 / (e^x - 1) dx using a change of variables technique. The correct substitution is z = x / (1 + x), which leads to the equivalent expression for x as x = z / (1 - z). The differential dx is then expressed as dz / (1 - z)^2. The user struggled with applying the chain rule correctly to derive the final result, indicating a need for clarity in the substitution process.

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Ryan000
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Homework Statement


In the book it gave the example for standard change of variables as,
z = x / 1 + x or equivalently x = z / 1 - z , then

dx = dz / (1 - z)^2 , thus (2)

1 / (1 - z)^2 f (z / 1 - z) dz (3)

This is what I am trying to accomplish but with the expression x^3 / (e^x - 1) dx. So I can put this expression equal to z and find equivalent equal to x then find dx eq(2) then final result eq (3).

Homework Equations


integral of f(x) dx

The Attempt at a Solution


I found the derivative to be (3*x^2/(e^x - 1)) - (x^3 * e^x / (e^x - 1)^2) but not getting the final result like in equation (3) from above maybe I am doing change of variables wrong. I have seen the formulas with variables online but still not getting it. If someone could help that would be GREAT!
 
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Sorry you're just now getting a response. Welcome to PF!
they used the chain rule for the derivative
You start out with ##\int F(x)dx## and make the substiution ##x =\frac{z}{1-z}## and obtain ##\int F(\text{substitute here})dx## you also need to substitute dx for (some stuff)*dz. That (some stuff) is the differential of the substitution, or in other words ##\frac{dx}{dz}##
 
Ryan000 said:

Homework Statement


In the book it gave the example for standard change of variables as,
z = x / 1 + x or equivalently x = z / 1 - z , then
I'm positive that what you wrote is not what you meant.
You have ##z = \frac x 1 + x## and ##x = \frac z 1 - z##.

Since that's not what you intended, use parentheses around the denominators, like so:
z = x/(1 + x), and x = z/(1 - z).
Ryan000 said:
dx = dz / (1 - z)^2 , thus (2)

1 / (1 - z)^2 f (z / 1 - z) dz (3)

This is what I am trying to accomplish but with the expression x^3 / (e^x - 1) dx. So I can put this expression equal to z and find equivalent equal to x then find dx eq(2) then final result eq (3).

Homework Equations


integral of f(x) dx

The Attempt at a Solution


I found the derivative to be (3*x^2/(e^x - 1)) - (x^3 * e^x / (e^x - 1)^2) but not getting the final result like in equation (3) from above maybe I am doing change of variables wrong. I have seen the formulas with variables online but still not getting it. If someone could help that would be GREAT!
 

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