Trig Substitution for Whitman 8.4.8: Complete the Square

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration problem from Whitman 8.4.8, specifically focusing on the technique of trigonometric substitution after completing the square in the integral \(\int\sqrt{x^{2}-2x}dx\). Participants explore various substitution methods, including hyperbolic functions, and share their approaches to solving the integral.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests completing the square to rewrite the integral as \(\int\sqrt{(x-1)^{2}-1^{2}}dx\) and questions which substitution to use, proposing \(\cosh\theta\) or \(\sinh\theta\).
  • Another participant introduces the hyperbolic identity \(\cosh^2(z)-\sinh^2(z)=1\) and asks how to proceed from this point.
  • A participant describes making the substitution \(x-1=\cosh(u)\) leading to the integral \(\int \sinh^2(u) \, du\) and mentions using the identity \(\cosh(2z)=2\sinh^2(z)+1\).
  • Several participants provide expressions for the integral \(I\) in terms of hyperbolic functions and discuss the process of back-substituting for \(u\) to express the final result in terms of \(x\).
  • One participant shares a detailed expression for \(I\) involving logarithmic terms and square roots, indicating the complexity of the back-substitution process.
  • Another participant expresses appreciation for the help received, indicating that the discussion has clarified their understanding of the substitutions involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the approach of using hyperbolic substitutions after completing the square, but there are multiple expressions and methods proposed for the final integral, indicating that no single consensus solution has emerged.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various mathematical steps and identities that are not fully resolved, and participants do not reach a definitive conclusion on the best form of the integral or the most effective substitution method.

karush
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
3,240
Reaction score
5
Whitman 8.4.8 Trig substitution?

Whitman 8.4.8
Complete the square..
\begin{align*}
\int\sqrt{x^{2}-2x}dx &=\int\sqrt{x^{2}-2x+1-1}dx\\
&=\int\sqrt{(x-1)^{2}-1^{2}}dx\\
&=\int\sqrt{U^{2}-1^{2}}dx\\
\end{align*}
Was wondering what substation best to use

Can $\cosh\theta \text{ or } \sinh\theta \text{ be used? } $

The table will give this but don't know how it was derived?

$$\int\sqrt{x^{2}-a^{2}}dx
=\frac{x}{2}\sqrt{x^{2}-a^{2}}
-\frac{a^{2}}{2}\log |x
+\sqrt{x^{2}-a^{2}}|+c.$$
So..
$$=\frac{x}{2}\sqrt{(x-1)^{2}-1}
-\frac{1}{2}\log |x
+\sqrt{(x-1)^{2}-1}|
+c.$$
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
A hyperbolic trig. identity we can use is:

$$\cosh^2(z)-\sinh^2(z)=1$$

How would you proceed from here? :)
 
Whitman 8.4.8
Complete the square..
\begin{align*}
\int\sqrt{x^{2}-2x}dx &=\int\sqrt{x^{2}-2x+1-1}dx\\
&=\int\sqrt{(x-1)^{2}-1^{2}}dx\\
&=\int\sqrt{u^{2}-1^{2}}du\\
\end{align*}
$$ \sinh^2{x}=\cosh^2 {x}-1$$
$u=\cosh{x} \ \ \ du=\sinh{x} dx$
Then
$\displaystyle
\int\sqrt{\cosh^2 {u} -1^{2}}du
=\int \sinh^2 {u} \ du$

So..
$$=\frac{x}{2}\sqrt{(x-1)^{2}-1}
-\frac{1}{2}\log |x
+\sqrt{(x-1)^{2}-1}|
+c.$$
 
Last edited:
Okay, we are given:

$$I=\int \sqrt{x^2-2x}\,dx$$

And completing the square:

$$I=\int \sqrt{(x-1)^2-1}\,dx$$

Now, at this point you want to make the substitution:

$$x-1=\cosh(u)\,\therefore\,dx=\sinh(u)\,du$$

And we have:

$$I=\int \sqrt{\cosh^2(u)-1}\,\sinh(u)\,du=\int \sinh^2(u)\,du$$

Now you want to use the identity:

$$\cosh(2z)=2\sinh^2(z)+1$$
 
$$\displaystyle \frac{\cosh{2z}}{2}
-\frac{1}{2}
=\sinh^2{z}$$
So
$$\frac{1}{2}\int \cosh{2z}\
- \int \frac{1}{2} \ dx $$
Sorry lots of @#$ with WiFi here
 
karush said:
$$\displaystyle \frac{\cosh{2z}}{2}
-\frac{1}{2}
=\sinh^2{z}$$
So
$$\frac{1}{2}\int \cosh{2z}\
- \int \frac{1}{2} \ dx $$
Sorry lots of @#$ with WiFi here

Well, I would just write the next step as:

$$I=\frac{1}{2}\int \cosh(2u)-1\,du$$

Now, it is fairly simple to obtain the anti-derivative...then you go through the process of back-substituting for $u$.
 
$\displaystyle I=
\frac{1}{2}\int \cosh(2u)-1\,du=
\frac{e^{2u}\left(e^{4u}-4ue^{2u}-1\right)}{8}+C$
 
I was thinking more along the lines of:

$$I=\frac{1}{4}\sinh(2u)-\frac{1}{2}u+C$$

Next, use the identity:

$$\sinh(2z)=2\sinh(z)\cosh(z)$$:

$$I=\frac{1}{2}\sinh(u)\cosh(u)-\frac{1}{2}u+C$$

Next, recall we used:

$$\cosh(u)=x-1$$

$$\sinh(u)=\sqrt{\cosh^2(u)-1}=\sqrt{(x-1)^2-1}$$

And let's also apply the inverse function as a log formula:

$$\arcosh(z)=\ln\left(z+\sqrt{z^2-1}\right)$$

To state:

$$I=\frac{1}{2}\left(\sqrt{(x-1)^2-1}\right)(x-1)-\frac{1}{2}\ln\left|x-1+\sqrt{(x-1)^2-1}\right|+C$$

Now, observing the first term, when expanded, contains a constant, we may write:

$$I=\frac{x}{2}\sqrt{x^2-2x}-\frac{1}{2}\ln\left|x-1+\sqrt{x(x-2)}\right|+C$$

Next, applying some log properties:

$$I=\frac{x}{2}\sqrt{x^2-2x}-\frac{1}{2}\ln\left|2(x-1)+2\sqrt{x(x-2)}\right|+C+\frac{1}{2}\ln(2)$$

$$I=\frac{x}{2}\sqrt{x^2-2x}-\frac{1}{2}\ln\left|x+2\sqrt{x(x-2)}+x-2\right|+C$$

$$I=\frac{x}{2}\sqrt{x^2-2x}-\frac{1}{2}\ln\left|\left(\sqrt{x}+\sqrt{x-2}\right)^2\right|+C$$

$$I=\frac{x}{2}\sqrt{x^2-2x}-\ln\left|\sqrt{x}+\sqrt{x-2}\right|+C$$
 
Wow. That was great help.
Frankly I would of derailed inspite of all the other examples I looked at

Just glad I'm getting all the great MHB help now
before hitting it all cold when
the Calc II class starts up in August 😊😊😊

I can see now how these substitutions work.

I'll keep trying more of these
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K