Solving Integrals Using Substitution

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the integral \(\int_{0}^{\infty} {\frac{x \arctan(x)}{(1+x^{2})^{2}}dx}\), focusing on the use of substitution methods in calculus.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the substitution \(u=\arctan(x)\) and discuss its implications, noting challenges with the remaining factor of \(x\) in the integral. Others suggest alternative substitutions and question how to express \(x\) in terms of \(u\). There are attempts to apply integration by parts and discuss the nature of the improper integral.

Discussion Status

Several participants are actively engaging with the problem, offering various substitution ideas and discussing the feasibility of different approaches. Some guidance has been provided regarding integration techniques, but no consensus has been reached on a definitive method.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the integral's improper nature due to the infinite limit, and there are mentions of needing to take limits in their evaluations. The presence of the arctangent function adds complexity to the substitution attempts.

Lancelot59
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I'm attempting to solve the following problem:

[tex]\int_{0}^{\infty} {\frac{x arctan(x)}{(1+x^{2})^{2}}dx}[/tex]

I started with a substitution:

[tex]u=arctan(x), du=\frac{1}{(1+x^{2})}dx[/tex]

This seemed like the right thing to do, but after trying to put it together in several different ways I got nowhere. I looked at what WolframAlpha had to say. It got this after doing the same substitution:

[tex]\int_{}^{} {u sin(u)cos(u)du}[/tex]

I've gone at this for over half an hour now and I've gotten nowhere. Some insight into how this step was made would be appreciated.
 
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What will happen if you make u=(1+x^2)^2?
 
I got this:

[tex]\int_{}^{} {\frac{arctan(x)}{u*4\sqrt{u}du}[/tex]
which can be:
[tex]\int_{}^{} {\frac{arctan(x)}{4u^{\frac{3}{2}}}du}[/tex]

It's not incredibly helpful. I see no way of dealing with that arctangent.
 
If u = arctan(x), what does x equal?
 
Lancelot59 said:
I'm attempting to solve the following problem:

[tex]\int_{0}^{\infty} {\frac{x arctan(x)}{(1+x^{2})^{2}}dx}[/tex]

I started with a substitution:

[tex]u=arctan(x), du=\frac{1}{(1+x^{2})}dx[/tex]
There is still a factor of x in the numerator that is unaccounted for, so this substitution isn't feasible.
Lancelot59 said:
This seemed like the right thing to do, but after trying to put it together in several different ways I got nowhere. I looked at what WolframAlpha had to say. It got this after doing the same substitution:

[tex]\int_{}^{} {u sin(u)cos(u)du}[/tex]

I've gone at this for over half an hour now and I've gotten nowhere. Some insight into how this step was made would be appreciated.

Use integration by parts, with u = arctan(x) and dv = xdx/((1 + x^2)^2). The resulting integral can be evaluated using a trig substitution.

The original integral is improper because of the infinity as one of the limits of integration, so you will need to take a limit at some point. One way to go about this is to evaluate this integral:
[tex]\int_0^b \frac{x~arctan(x)~dx}{(1 + x^2)^2}[/tex]

Your result of this integral will involve b, so take the limit as b goes to infinity to get your final answer.
 
I'll try that solution out. I usually solve the indefinite integral first, then work out the proper solution for the definite integral with the limit.
[tex]-\frac{arctan(x)}{2(1+x^{2})}+\frac{1}{2}\int_{}^{} {(\frac{1}{(1+x^{2})})^{2}dx}[/tex]

I don't see a trig substitution working for that integral. I'll keep working at it.
 
Last edited:
Lancelot59 said:
I'll try that solution out. I usually solve the indefinite integral first, then work out the proper solution for the definite integral with the limit.
[tex]-\frac{arctan(x)}{2(1+x^{2})}+\frac{1}{2}\int_{}^{} {(\frac{1}{(1+x^{2})})^{2}dx}[/tex]

I don't see a trig substitution working for that integral. I'll keep working at it.

[tex]\int_{}^{}(\frac{1}{(1+x^{2})^2}dx[/tex]

Substitute x = tanθ, the dx = sec^2(θ)dθ

Integration becomes

[tex]\int_{}^{}cos^2(\theta)d(\theta)[/tex]

Substitute [tex]cos^2(\theta)= \frac{1}{2}(1 + cos2(\theta))[/tex]

Now solve the integration.
 
Last edited:
Yup, I managed to get it. Thanks for the help.
 

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