Solving Trig Sub w/ Different Answer: Need Check

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral \(\int \frac{\sqrt{9-x^2}}{x} dx\), focusing on the use of trigonometric substitution to evaluate it. Participants are examining the discrepancies between their results and those obtained from Mathematica.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using the substitution \(x = 3\sin(\Theta)\) and express confusion over differing results from Mathematica. Questions arise about whether steps in the integration process were executed correctly and if assumptions about the substitution are valid.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on checking the differentiation of their results to verify correctness. There are ongoing attempts to reconcile the differences in answers, with suggestions for numerical checks and further exploration of the integration process.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the integrand behaves differently near certain values, which may affect the evaluation of the integral. There is also mention of potential errors in the application of trigonometric identities and substitution steps.

Sheneron
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Homework Statement


[tex]\int \frac{\sqrt{9-x^2}}{x} dx[/tex]

So:
[tex]x = 3Sin(\Theta)[/tex]
[tex]dx = 3Cos(\Theta)d\Theta[/tex]

Rewritten:
[tex]\int \frac{\sqrt{9 - (3Sin(\Theta))^2}*3Cos(\Theta)d\Theta}{3Sin(\Theta)}[/tex]

[tex]\int \frac{\sqrt{9(1-Sin(\Theta)^2)}*3Cos(\Theta)d\Theta}{3Sin(\Theta)}[/tex]

[tex]\int \frac{3Cos(\Theta)^2}{Sin(\Theta)}[/tex]

When I check this with mathematica (replacing sin and cos with something in terms of x) it doesn't match. Its a different answer.
 
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Nevermind, I will fix that latex in a few minutes, physics forums is not working well.
 
Ok there we go... Yes, when I integrate the initial equation in mathematica I get an answer that does not equal when I integrate at the last step I have done. And I rewrite it back in terms of x dx so that is not it. Did I do something wrong?
 
Your derivation looks right to me.
 
Hmm, according to mathematica I am off exactly by a factor of 3?
 
Can you say what you got and what mathematica got?
 
Integrating at the very beginning equation mathematica gave me:

[tex]\sqrt{9 - x^2} + 3\ln{x} - 3 \ln{3 + \sqrt{9 - x^2}}[/tex]

and when I integrate my step I get:[tex]3*( \sqrt{9 - x^2} + 3\ln{x} - 3 \ln{3 + \sqrt{9 - x^2}} )[/tex]
 
I am also stuck at my last step, what would be a good way of integrating that?

-but I don't know if that's right seeing how my answer doesn't match with mathematica.
 
How about an approximate numerical check, which will tell you who's off by a factor of 3?

Your integrand varies wildly near x=0 and x=3, so stay away from those values. Try approximating the integral (over x) from 0.99 to 1.01, just treating the integrand as a constant evaluated at x=1. What does that give for the integral? Compare it to your final answer, and to the mathematica answer.
 
  • #10
Oh crap I am sorry, I plugged it in wrong. The answer is still different though and still wrong.

Here is what mathematica gave me:

[tex]-\frac{x^2}{2} + 9\ln{x}[/tex]
 
  • #11
Redbelly98 said:
How about an approximate numerical check, which will tell you who's off by a factor of 3?

Your integrand varies wildly near x=0 and x=3, so stay away from those values. Try approximating the integral (over x) from 0.99 to 1.01, just treating the integrand as a constant evaluated at x=1. What does that give for the integral? Compare it to your final answer, and to the mathematica answer.

I just tried that... plugged in 0.99 and 1.01 as my limits and got 0.0565705 from the mathematica answer and 0.160006 from the step I got to
 
  • #12
Sheneron said:
Integrating at the very beginning equation mathematica gave me:

[tex]\sqrt{9 - x^2} + 3\ln{x} - 3 \ln{3 + \sqrt{9 - x^2}}[/tex]

and when I integrate my step I get:[tex]3*( \sqrt{9 - x^2} + 3\ln{x} - 3 \ln{3 + \sqrt{9 - x^2}} )[/tex]

Your first step should be to differentiate those and see if you get sqrt(9-x^2)/x. I don't think you will, neither one looks right. Did you leave out some parentheses or something?
 
  • #13
Dick said:
Your first step should be to differentiate those and see if you get sqrt(9-x^2)/x. I don't think you will neither one looks right. Did you leave out some parentheses or something?

Sorry, but that second equation changed as I realized I plugged in the wrong stuff. Still though they are different and unequal. I don't know why mathematica would be wrong and I can't figure out where I am either.
 
  • #14
Sheneron said:

Homework Statement


[tex]\int \frac{\sqrt{9-x^2}}{x} dx[/tex]

So:
[tex]x = 3Sin(\Theta)[/tex]
[tex]dx = 3Cos(\Theta)d\Theta[/tex]

Rewritten:
[tex]\int \frac{\sqrt{9 - (3Sin(\Theta))^2}*3Cos(\Theta)d\Theta}{3Sin(\Theta)}[/tex]

[tex]\int \frac{\sqrt{9(1-Sin(\Theta)^2)}*3Cos(\Theta)d\Theta}{3Sin(\Theta)}[/tex]

[tex]\int \frac{3Cos(\Theta)^2}{Sin(\Theta)}[/tex]

When I check this with mathematica (replacing sin and cos with something in terms of x) it doesn't match. Its a different answer.

What ARE you doing? Are you trying to turn cos(theta)^2*dtheta/sin(theta) BACK into x before you integrate? Don't do that! If you do it right, you'll just get back where you started. Integrate dtheta, THEN turn back into x.
 
  • #15
oh crap... no wonder

thanks. I will go work on it
 
  • #16
Sheneron said:
oh crap... no wonder

thanks. I will go work on it

Whew. Thought I was going crazy. I'll give you a free hint. cos(theta)^2=1-sin(theta)^2.
 
  • #17
Sheneron said:
I just tried that... plugged in 0.99 and 1.01 as my limits and got 0.0565705 from the mathematica answer and 0.160006 from the step I got to

Okay. And what about the approximate answer using the original integral? I.e., what is

[tex] \int \frac{\sqrt{9-1^2}}{1} dx[/tex]
evaluated from 0.99 to 1.01?
 
  • #18
Redbelly98 said:
Okay. And what about the approximate answer using the original integral? I.e., what is

[tex] \int \frac{\sqrt{9-1^2}}{1} dx[/tex]
evaluated from 0.99 to 1.01?

I think we've sorted it out. Somebody (and I won't name names) is new to trig substitutions. Or has forgotten.
 
  • #19
But how would you integrate the last step on my first post?
 
  • #20
Use cos(theta)^2=1-sin(theta)^2. I think I already suggested that. Though I think I edited it in.
 

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