What is the integral of 1 over t times the quantity t squared minus 4?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral of the function \( \frac{1}{t(t^2 - 4)} \). Participants explore various methods for solving this integral, including substitution techniques and partial fraction decomposition. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and technical explanations related to integration methods.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose using a substitution \( t = 2\sin(u) \) to simplify the integral.
  • Others suggest rewriting the integral as \( \frac{1}{8}\int\frac{8t^{-3}}{1-4t^{-2}}\,dt \) and applying a different substitution.
  • One participant mentions using partial fractions to express \( \frac{1}{t(t^2 - 4)} \) as \( \frac{1}{8} \left ( \frac{-2}{t} + \frac{1}{t + 2} + \frac{1}{t - 2} \right ) \).
  • A later reply indicates that using the substitution \( u = 1 - 4t^{-2} \) leads to a simpler integral form.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the effectiveness of their proposed methods, noting that their attempts did not yield satisfactory results.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best method to solve the integral, with multiple competing approaches discussed. There is uncertainty regarding the effectiveness of each method proposed.

Contextual Notes

Some methods discussed may depend on specific assumptions or definitions related to integration techniques. The discussion reflects various levels of familiarity with integration strategies, which may influence the proposed solutions.

karush
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{W8.7.7} nmh{1000}
$\displaystyle
I=\int \frac{1}{t\left(t^2 - 4 \right)}
\ d{t}

= \frac{1}{8}\ln\left|{1-\frac{4}{{t}^{2}}}\right|+ C$

$$I=\int \frac{1}{t\left(t^2 - 4 \right)}
\ d{t}=-\int\frac{1}{t\left(4-{t}^{2 } \right)}
\ d{t}$$
$\begin{align}\displaystyle
t& = 2\sin\left(u\right)&
dt&= 2\cos\left({u}\right)\ d{u}
\end{align}$

$$\int\frac{2\cos\left({u}\right)}
{2 \sin\left({u}\right)4\cos^2 \left({u}\right)} \ du $$

$\text{I continued but didn't seem to work}$
 
Last edited:
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What you can do is:

$$I=\int\frac{1}{t(t^2-4)}\,dt=\frac{1}{8}\int\frac{8t^{-3}}{1-4t^{-2}}\,dt$$

Now use a $u$-subsititution...
 
$\displaystyle
I=\frac{1}{8}\int\frac{8t^{-3}}{1-4t^{-2}}\,dt
=\frac{1}{8}\int\frac
{\frac{8}{t^3}}
{1-\frac{4}{{t}^{2}}}
$Then substitute $2\sin(u)$ for $t$?
 
karush said:
$\displaystyle
I=\frac{1}{8}\int\frac{8t^{-3}}{1-4t^{-2}}\,dt
=\frac{1}{8}\int\frac
{\frac{8}{t^3}}
{1-\frac{4}{{t}^{2}}}
$Then substitute $2\sin(u)$ for $t$?

No, let:

$$u=1-4t^{-2}\,\therefore\,du=8t^{-3}\,dt$$
 
karush said:
$\tiny\text{Whitman 8.7.7 inverse integral} $
$$\displaystyle
I=\int \frac{1}{t\left(t^2 - 4 \right)}
\ d{t}

= \frac{1}{8}\ln\left|{1-\frac{4}{{t}^{2}}}\right|+ C$$

$$I=\int \frac{1}{t\left(t^2 - 4 \right)}
\ d{t}=-\int\frac{1}{t\left(4-{t}^{2 } \right)}
\ d{t}$$
$\begin{align}\displaystyle
t& = 2\sin\left(u\right)&
dt&= 2\cos\left({u}\right)\ d{u}
\end{align}$

$$\int\frac{2\cos\left({u}\right)}
{2 \sin\left({u}\right)4\cos^2 \left({u}\right)} \ du $$

$\text{I continued but didn't seem to work}$$\tiny\text
{from Surf the Nations math study group} \\
🏄 🏄 🏄$
I don't know what methods you are working with but you could also do partial fractions:
[math]\frac{1}{t(t^2 - 4)} = \frac{1}{8} \left ( \frac{-2}{t} + \frac{1}{t + 2} + \frac{1}{t - 2} \right )[/math]

-Dan
 
topsquark said:
I don't know what methods you are working with but you could also do partial fractions:
[math]\frac{1}{t(t^2 - 4)} = \frac{1}{8} \left ( \frac{-2}{t} + \frac{1}{t + 2} + \frac{1}{t - 2} \right )[/math]

-Dan

Without having seen the anti-derivative given in the first post, that's probably how I would have approached the integral. :)
 
MarkFL said:
No, let:

$$u=1-4t^{-2}\,\therefore\,du=8t^{-3}\,dt$$

So then
$$I=\frac{1}{8}\int\frac{1}{u} \ du
= \frac{1}{8}\ln\left|{1-\frac{4}{{t}^{2 }}}\right|+C$$

I guess the most obvious is the hardest thing to see!
 

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