# Trig Substitution Problem

1. Jul 30, 2007

### bengaltiger14

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Evaluate ∫ x √ 4 + x2 dx by using the trigonometric substitution x = 2tanθ

I am starting on the right track by subbing x=2tanθ into x like this:

=∫ 2tanθ √ 4 + 2tanθ(2)

then, do I just integrate that for the correct answer?

2. Jul 30, 2007

### Kurdt

Staff Emeritus
Just to clear up, are you integrating this:

$$\int \frac{xdx}{\sqrt{4+x^2}}$$

or this:

$$\int x(\sqrt{4+x^2})dx$$

Either way you'll have to put $dx$ in terms of $d\theta[/tex] and then use a trig identity to simplify the whole integral. 3. Jul 30, 2007 ### bengaltiger14 $$\int x(\sqrt{4+x^2})dx$$ 4. Jul 30, 2007 ### Kurdt Staff Emeritus Ok, well as I said before, can you write dx in terms of [itex]d\theta$ and substitute for the x's? Thats probably the first step.

5. Jul 30, 2007

### George Jones

Staff Emeritus
If the question requires you to do this integral by trig substitution, then, as Kurdt has said, you have forgotten to change the dx.

If the question allows you to use any method, then tig substitution is not the best method; a different substitution is better. In fact, this integral is simple enough that, after seeing a few more examples of this type, you should be able to write down the answer by inspection.