Another trig substitution question

In summary: The final transformation is necessary because it allows you to express the answer in a more simplified form. In this case, it allows you to write the final answer without using the absolute value signs. This can make your answer look more elegant and easier to understand.
  • #1
vande060
186
0

Homework Statement



sorry wait a few moments for the details, i hit post on accident prematurely

∫ √(1 + x^2)/x dx

The Attempt at a Solution



∫ √(1 + x^2)/x dx

x = tanϑ , dx sec^2ϑ dϑ -π/2 < ϑ < π/2

√(1 + x^2) = secϑ

∫ (secϑ * sec^2ϑ dϑ )/ tanϑ dϑ

after using trig identities

∫cscϑ dϑ + ∫ tanϑsecϑ dϑ

= -Ln I cscϑ + cotϑ I + secϑ + C

= -LnI [√(1 + x^2) +1]/xI + √(1 + x^2) + C

but the back of the book tells me

= LnI [√(1 + x^2) - 1]/xI + √(1 + x^2) + C

am i missing something here
 
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  • #2
I'm not quite sure if you mean
[tex]\ln\left( i \sqrt{1 + x^2} + 1} / x \right)[/tex]
or
[tex]\ln\left( i \sqrt{1 + x^2} + 1} \right) / x[/tex]
or
[tex]\ln(i) \cdot \left( \sqrt{1 + x^2} + 1} / x \right)[/tex]

But it might be possible that the answers are actually the same up to a constant.
You could try using the properties of logarithms to rewrite ln(i √(1 + x²) - 1) to ln(i √(1 + x²) - 1) + k
where k is a constant (which you can then absorb in C).
 
  • #3
CompuChip said:
I'm not quite sure if you mean
[tex]\ln\left( i \sqrt{1 + x^2} + 1} / x \right)[/tex]
or
[tex]\ln\left( i \sqrt{1 + x^2} + 1} \right) / x[/tex]
or
[tex]\ln(i) \cdot \left( \sqrt{1 + x^2} + 1} / x \right)[/tex]

But it might be possible that the answers are actually the same up to a constant.
You could try using the properties of logarithms to rewrite ln(i √(1 + x²) - 1) to ln(i √(1 + x²) - 1) + k
where k is a constant (which you can then absorb in C).

I am very sorry, there is no i. I is supposed to be the absolute value bar, I forgot the second one.

here is my answer, rewritten.

= -LnI [√(1 + x^2) +1]/xI + √(1 + x^2) + C

I have edited my first post to include the I properly in both my answer and the book's answer
 
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  • #4
Ah, thanks for correcting that.
Just out of curiosity, don't you have a vertical bar (|) on your keyboard?

Anyway, how about something like
[tex]- \ln \left| \frac{\sqrt{1 + x^2} + 1}{x} \right|[/tex]
[tex] \cdots = \ln \left| \frac{x}{\sqrt{1 + x^2} + 1} \right|[/tex]
[tex] \cdots = \ln \left| \frac{x (\sqrt{1 + x^2} - 1)}{(\sqrt{1 + x^2} + 1)(\sqrt{1 + x^2} - 1)} \right| [/tex]
[tex] \cdots = \ln \left| \frac{\sqrt{1 + x^2} - 1}{x} \right|[/tex]

I intentionally skipped some steps and justifications (particularly about pulling operations inside the absolute value signs), I will leave those up to you.
 
  • #5
CompuChip said:
Ah, thanks for correcting that.
Just out of curiosity, don't you have a vertical bar (|) on your keyboard?

Anyway, how about something like
[tex]- \ln \left| \frac{\sqrt{1 + x^2} + 1}{x} \right|[/tex]
[tex] \cdots = \ln \left| \frac{x}{\sqrt{1 + x^2} + 1} \right|[/tex]
[tex] \cdots = \ln \left| \frac{x (\sqrt{1 + x^2} - 1)}{(\sqrt{1 + x^2} + 1)(\sqrt{1 + x^2} - 1)} \right| [/tex]
[tex] \cdots = \ln \left| \frac{\sqrt{1 + x^2} - 1}{x} \right|[/tex]

I intentionally skipped some steps and justifications (particularly about pulling operations inside the absolute value signs), I will leave those up to you.

i don't see a vertical bar, sorry. I understand the transformation completely

i am sorry to bother with one more question, but why is the final transformation necessary? it does not seem any more simple.
 
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  • #6
vande060 said:
i don't see a vertical bar, sorry. I understand the transformation completely

i am sorry to bother with one more question, but why is the final transformation necessary? it does not seem any more simple.

No, of course not. What CompuChip is actually trying to show you is that, they are identically the same. Congratulations, you've come to the right result. :)
 

FAQ: Another trig substitution question

How do I know when to use a trigonometric substitution?

A trigonometric substitution is typically used when there is a radical expression in the form of √ax2+b or √ax2-b in the integrand. Additionally, it can also be used when the integrand contains expressions in the form of a2-x2 or x2-a2. These substitutions can help simplify the integral and make it easier to solve.

What are the most commonly used trigonometric substitutions?

The most commonly used trigonometric substitutions are x = a sin θ, x = a tan θ, and x = a sec θ. These substitutions are typically used when the integrand contains expressions in the form of √ax2+b, √ax2-b, or a2-x2.

Do I need to use all three trigonometric substitutions for every integral?

No, you do not need to use all three trigonometric substitutions for every integral. The choice of which substitution to use depends on the form of the integrand. It is important to try and choose the most appropriate substitution that will simplify the integral and make it easier to solve.

How do I choose the value for "a" in the trigonometric substitution?

The value for "a" in the trigonometric substitution can be chosen in a way that will cancel out with other terms in the integrand and make the integral easier to solve. For example, if the integrand contains √9x2+4, you can choose a = 3 so that it cancels out with the 9x2 term.

What do I do if the integrand contains both a radical and a trigonometric function?

If the integrand contains both a radical and a trigonometric function, you may need to use a combination of trigonometric substitutions to simplify the integral. In some cases, you may need to use trigonometric identities to manipulate the expression before using a trigonometric substitution. It is important to carefully analyze the integrand and try different substitutions to determine the most appropriate approach.

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