Two different solutions for one integral?

  • Thread starter Cetullah
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In summary, a user failed their Math II lesson and was working on solving an integral problem. They attempted to solve the problem on the right but were confused by the book and WolframAlpha's different solutions. They questioned if their solution would be wrong on the exam and received helpful tips. The conversation ended with the user admitting to failing at math once again.
  • #1
Cetullah
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Hello dear Physics Forums users!

I ve recently passed to 2nd class, however I failed my Math II lesson, so I was solving some problems.

Here is it, with my solution attempt:

∫(x+3)/[itex]\sqrt{}(x^2-4)[/itex]

∫x/[itex]\sqrt{}(x^2-4)[/itex] + 3/([itex]\sqrt{}(x^2-4)[/itex]

Well eh, screw the integral on left anyway, what really confused me was the one on right:

Here s my solution:

∫3/([itex]\sqrt{}(x^2-4)[/itex]=-3∫1/[itex]\sqrt{}(4-x^2)[/itex]

=-3arcsin(x/2)

But on the other side, my book and WolframAlpha claims that the solution for the integral on right is:

3 ln(x+[itex]\sqrt{}(x^2-4))[/itex]

So I checked what they look like, and here are the results:

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=∫3/√(x^2-4)

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=∫-3/√(4-x^2)

So they are TWO DIFFERENT EQUATIONS?

Would my answer be wrong on exam?

Thanks for your help!
 
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  • #2
You can't move the - inside the radical. To have an - inside the radical means to have the imaginary unit i outside the radical.
Protip: You can use an hyperbolic substitution to evaluate the integral on the right, a trig substitution also works.
 
  • #3
Yeah, that makes quite sense, thanks!

I failed to crush the mathematics again, lawl :)
 
  • #4
"wtf" and "lame" were tagged for this thread
 

FAQ: Two different solutions for one integral?

What does "one integral, two solutions" mean?

"One integral, two solutions" refers to a mathematical concept where there is only one definite integral (a mathematical function that represents the area under a curve), but there are two different antiderivatives (functions that when differentiated, give the original function).

Why are there two solutions for one integral?

There can be two solutions for one integral because of the fundamental theorem of calculus, which states that the derivative of the definite integral of a function is equal to the original function. This means that the definite integral of a function can have more than one antiderivative, leading to two solutions.

What are the implications of "one integral, two solutions" in real-world applications?

In real-world applications, "one integral, two solutions" can have various implications depending on the context. For example, in physics, it may represent two different paths or solutions to a problem. In engineering, it may represent different methods or approaches to solving a design problem.

How do you determine which solution to use for "one integral, two solutions"?

The choice of which solution to use for "one integral, two solutions" depends on the specific problem or context. In some cases, both solutions may be valid and interchangeable. In other cases, one solution may be more practical or relevant than the other.

Can "one integral, two solutions" lead to contradictions?

No, "one integral, two solutions" does not lead to contradictions. Both solutions are valid antiderivatives of the same definite integral, and they can coexist without contradicting each other. However, in some cases, one solution may not be feasible or practical, leading to the exclusion of that solution.

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