Porisma

Worked solution

Change both the variable and the limits

Evaluate ∫48x+1xx−2 dx\int_4^8\frac{x+1}{x\sqrt{x-2}}\,dx exactly, using the substitution u=x−2u=\sqrt{x-2}.

CJC · Lecture · Example 4

Substitution and limits

Square first: u2=x−2u^2=x-2, so x=u2+2x=u^2+2 and 2u du/dx=12u\,du/dx=1, equivalently dx/du=2udx/du=2u. At x=4x=4, u=2u=\sqrt2; at x=8x=8, u=6u=\sqrt6. Thus the integral becomes ∫26u2+3(u2+2)u 2u du\int_{\sqrt2}^{\sqrt6}\frac{u^2+3}{(u^2+2)u}\,2u\,du.

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Divide before integrating

Cancel uu and divide: 2∫26u2+3u2+2 du=2∫26(1+1u2+2) du=2[u+12tan⁡−1(u2)]262\int_{\sqrt2}^{\sqrt6}\frac{u^2+3}{u^2+2}\,du=2\int_{\sqrt2}^{\sqrt6}(1+\frac1{u^2+2})\,du=2[u+\frac1{\sqrt2}\tan^{-1}(\frac u{\sqrt2})]_{\sqrt2}^{\sqrt6}.

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Exact evaluation

The inverse tangent values are principal values in radians: tan⁡−13=π/3\tan^{-1}\sqrt3=\pi/3, tan⁡−11=π/4\tan^{-1}1=\pi/4. The result is 26+2(π/3)−22−2(π/4)=26−22+π2122\sqrt6+\sqrt2(\pi/3)-2\sqrt2-\sqrt2(\pi/4)=2\sqrt6-2\sqrt2+\frac{\pi\sqrt2}{12}.

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Common mistakes

Do not combine an antiderivative in u with the original x limits. Inverse tangent values here must be in radians.

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