Why Is This Integral Challenging?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral \(\int{x^3}\sqrt{1+x^2}dx\), which the original poster finds challenging. The subject area is integral calculus, specifically focusing on integration techniques and substitutions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts various methods including substitution and integration by parts but struggles to find a suitable approach. Some participants suggest specific substitutions, such as \(u=1+x^2\) and \(x=\tan(u)\), while others discuss the implications of their calculations and potential mistakes in their reasoning.

Discussion Status

Participants have provided suggestions for substitutions, and the original poster has engaged with these ideas, attempting to work through the integral. There is an acknowledgment of potential errors in the calculations, and the discussion reflects a collaborative effort to explore the problem without reaching a definitive conclusion.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses uncertainty about their integration skills and mentions that they have been struggling with the problem for a significant amount of time. There are indications that the problem may have multiple interpretations or complexities that are being examined.

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Homework Statement



Hello. I have a simple integral here that has been stumping me for the last 30 minutes. It appears that my basic integration skills have gotten very rusty.

Homework Equations



\int{x^3}\sqrt{1+x^2}dx

The Attempt at a Solution


I am pretty sure a simple substitution will do, but I have yet to find it. I have tried simplifying the expression various ways, integration by parts, and I have also tried a few substitutions. Any ideas?
 
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u=1+x^2 will do it.
 
The substitution x=tan(u) also works.
 
Thank you Dick and Jgens.

\int{x^3}\sqrt{1+x^2}dx

Let u=1+x^2\rightarrowdu=2xdx

\int{x^3}\sqrt{1+x^2}dx=\frac{1}{2}\int(u-1)\sqrt{u}du

\frac{1}{2}\int(u-1)\sqrt{u}du=\frac{1}{2}(\int{u^{\frac{3}{2}}}du-\int{u^{\frac{1}{2}}du)

\int{u^{\frac{3}{2}}}du=\frac{2}{5}u^{\frac{5}{2}}

\int{u^{\frac{1}{2}}du=\frac{2}{3}u^{\frac{3}{2}}

\frac{1}{2}\int(u-1)\sqrt{u}du=\frac{2}{10}u^{\frac{5}{2}}-\frac{2}{6}u^{\frac{3}{2}}It appears I made a mistake somewhere. I believe my result should be multiplied by 1/2, and I can't find where I left that out.
 
Nevermind. I guess the second part of the problem is incorrect. Mathematica has arrived at the same conclusion as this also. Thanks for all the help.
 

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