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Worked solution

Use simple and repeated linear factors

Find (a) ∫1(1+x)(2−x) dx\int\frac1{(1+x)(2-x)}\,dx; (b) ∫x(x+1)2 dx\int\frac{x}{(x+1)^2}\,dx.

CJC · Lecture · Self-Practice 7

(a)

1(1+x)(2−x)=13(11+x+12−x)\frac1{(1+x)(2-x)}=\frac13\bigl(\frac1{1+x}+\frac1{2-x}\bigr), so the integral is 13[ln⁡∣1+x∣−ln⁡∣2−x∣]+C=13ln⁡∣1+x2−x∣+C\frac13[\ln|1+x|-\ln|2-x|]+C=\frac13\ln\left|\frac{1+x}{2-x}\right|+C, for x≠−1,2x\ne-1,2.

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(b)

Write x=(x+1)−1x=(x+1)-1 to get x/(x+1)2=1/(x+1)−1/(x+1)2x/(x+1)^2=1/(x+1)-1/(x+1)^2. Integrating gives ln⁡∣x+1∣+1/(x+1)+C\ln|x+1|+1/(x+1)+C, for x≠−1x\ne-1, matching the printed answer.

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Common mistakes

Integrating the negative reciprocal square in (b) gives a positive reciprocal term.

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