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Worked solution

Prove the second logarithmic standard form

Prove that ∫1a2−x2 dx=12aln⁡∣a+xa−x∣+C\int\frac1{a^2-x^2}\,dx=\frac1{2a}\ln\left|\frac{a+x}{a-x}\right|+C.

CJC · Lecture · Self-Practice 6

Decompose

For a>0a>0, write 1(a−x)(a+x)=Pa−x+Qa+x\frac1{(a-x)(a+x)}=\frac P{a-x}+\frac Q{a+x}. Multiplying through gives 1=P(a+x)+Q(a−x)1=P(a+x)+Q(a-x). Setting x=ax=a gives P=1/(2a)P=1/(2a); setting x=−ax=-a gives Q=1/(2a)Q=1/(2a). These substitutions determine the polynomial identity after denominators have been cleared.

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Integrate and combine

∫1a2−x2 dx=12a∫(1a−x+1a+x) dx=12a[−ln⁡∣a−x∣+ln⁡∣a+x∣]+C=12aln⁡∣a+xa−x∣+C\int\frac1{a^2-x^2}\,dx=\frac1{2a}\int\bigl(\frac1{a-x}+\frac1{a+x}\bigr)\,dx=\frac1{2a}[-\ln|a-x|+\ln|a+x|]+C=\frac1{2a}\ln\left|\frac{a+x}{a-x}\right|+C, on each interval excluding x=±ax=\pm a. This supplies the requested proof using the preceding printed partial-fraction argument.

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Common mistakes

The derivative of a−x is −1. The two partial-fraction coefficients are both positive, while the first logarithm has a minus sign.

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