7 Integration Techniques

By this point we’ve now looked at basic integration techniques. We’ve seen how to integrate most
of the “basic” functions we’re liable to run into : polynomials, roots, trig, exponential, logarithm
and inverse trig functions to name a few. In addition, we’ve seen how to do basic u-substitutions
allowing us to integrate some more complicated functions.
We’ve also taken a look at some basic applications of (definite) integrals. However, as was noted
at the time, there are applications of (definite) integrals that will, on occasion, have integrals that
need more than just a basic u-substitution. So, before we can take a look at those applications
we’ll need to first talk about some more involved integration techniques.
Before getting into the new techniques we first need to make it clear that in this chapter it is assumed
at you are comfortable with basic integration, including u-substitutions. Many of the problems in this
chapter will not have a lot, if any, discussion of the basic integration work under the assumption that
you are comfortable enough with the basic work that discussion in simply not needed. In addition,
we will usually, although not always, give the substitution that we’re using for the u-substitution but
we will generally not show the actual substitution work. Again, this is under the assumption that
you are comfortable enough with basic u-substitutions that you can fill in the details if you need
to.
The reason for skipping the discussion of the basic integration work and/or not showing the full
substitution work is so we can concentrate our discussion on the particular method that we are
covering in that particular section. This is not to “punish” you but simply to acknowledge that we
only have so much time in which to discuss the material and just can’t afford to spend a lot of time
basically re-lecturing basic integration material. We realize that, for many of you, this is the start of
your Calculus II course and so you may have had some time off and may well have some “rust” on
your basic integration skills. This is a warning to start scraping that rust off. If you need do scrape
some rust off you can check out the practice problems for some practice problems covering basic
integration to refresh your memory on how basic integration works.
It is also very important for you to understand that most of the problems we’ll be looking at in this
chapter will involve u-substitutions in one way or another. In fact, many of the techniques in this
chapter are really just substitutions. The only difference is that either they need a fair amount of
work to get to the point where the substitutions can be used or they will involve substitutions used
in ways that we’ve not seen to this point. So, again, if you have some rust on your u-substitution
skills you’ll need to get it scraped off so you can do the work in this chapter.
In addition, we will be doing indefinite integrals almost exclusively in most of the sections in this

852
Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques

chapter. There are a few sections were we’ll be doing some definite integrals but for the most
part we’ll keep the problems in most of the sections shorter by just doing indefinite integrals. It is
assumed that if you were given a definite integral you could do the extra evaluation steps needed
to finish the definite integral. Having said that, there are a few sections were definite integrals are
done either because there are some subtleties that need to be dealt with for definite integrals or
because the topic at hand, the last few sections in particular, involve only definite integrals.
So, with all that out of the way, here is a quick rundown of the new integration techniques we’ll take
a look at in this section.
Probably the most important technique, in this sense that it will be the most commonly seen tech-
nique out of this class, is integration by parts. This is the one new technique in this chapter that is
not just u-substitutions done in new ways. Integration by Parts will involve u-substitutions at various
steps the process on occasion but it will not be just a new way of doing a u-substitution.
As noted a lot of the techniques in this chapter are really just u-substitutions except they will need
some manipulation of the integrand prior to actually doing the substitution. The techniques using
this idea will include integrating some, but not all, products and quotients of trig functions, some
integrands involving roots or quadratics that can’t be done without manipulation of the integrand
or “different” u-substitutions that we are used to. We’ll also see how to use partial fractions to
write some integrands involving rational expressions into a form that we can actually do the inte-
gral.
We’ll also take a look at something called trig substitutions. This is probably the one technique
that most find the most difficult, or at the least, the longest method. As we’ll see a trig substitution
is really a substitution but it is not a traditional u-substitution. However, having said that, if you
understand how basic u-substitutions work it will help greatly when it comes to working with trig
substitutions as the basic concepts are the same.
Next we’ll be taking a look at a new kind of integral, Improper Integrals. This topic will address how
to deal with definite integrals for which one or both of the limits of integration will be an infinity. In
addition, we’ll see how we can, on occasion, deal with discontinuities in the integrand (we’ll focus
on division by zero in the integrand).
We’ll close our the section with a quick section on approximating the value of definite integrals.
We will leave this section with a warning. It is with this chapter that you will find that you can’t
just memorize your way through the class anymore. We will acknowledge that up to this point it
is possible, for the most part, to just memorize your way through the class. You may not get the
highest grades through just memorization as there are some topics that require a fair amount of
understanding of the topic, but you can survive up to this point if your really good at memoriza-
tion.
Integration by Parts is a really good example of this. While you will need to memorize/know the
basic integration by parts formula simply memorizing that will not help you to actually use integration
by parts on the problem. You will need to actually understand how integration by parts works and
how to “assign” various portions of the integrand to the various portions of the integration parts
formula.

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Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques

Also while there are some basic formulas we can, and do on occasion, give for some of the methods
there are also situations that just don’t fit into those formulas and so again you’ll really need to
understand how to do those methods in order to work problems for which basic formulas just won’t
work. Or, again, you can’t just memorize your way out of most the methods taught in this chapter.
Memorization may allow you to get through the basic problems but will not help all that much with
more complicated problems.
Finally, we also need to warn you about seeing “patterns” and just assuming that all the problems
will fall into those patterns. Integration by Parts is, again, a good example of this. There are some
“patterns” that seem to show up because a lot of the problems we do in that section do fall into the
patterns. The problem is that there are also some problems for which the “patterns” simply don’t
work and yet they still require integration by parts. If you get so locked into “patterns” you’ll find it
all but impossible to do some problems because they simply don’t fall into those patterns.
This is not to say that recognizing that patterns in always a bad thing. Patterns do, on occasion,
show up and they can be useful to understand/know as a possible solution method. However, you
also need to always remember that there are problems that just don’t fit easily into the patterns.
This is also a warning that will be valid in other chapters in a typical Calculus II course as well.
Again, patterns aren’t bad per se, you just need to be careful to not always assume that every
problem will fall into the patterns.
The following sections are the practice problems, with solutions, for this material.

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Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.1 : Integration by Parts

7.1 Integration by Parts

Z
1. Evaluate 4x cos (2 − 3x) dx .

Hint
Remember that we want to pick u and dv so that upon computing du and v and plugging
everything into the Integration by Parts formula the new integral is one that we can do.

Step 1
The first step here is to pick u and dv. We want to choose u and dv so that when we
compute du and v and plugging everything into the Integration by Parts formula the new
integral we get is one that we can do.
With that in mind it looks like the following choices for u and dv should work for us.

u = 4x dv = cos (2 − 3x) dx

Step 2
Next, we need to compute du (by differentiating u) and v (by integrating dv).

u = 4x → du = 4dx
1
dv = cos (2 − 3x) dx → v = − sin (2 − 3x)
3

Step 3
Plugging u, du, v and dv into the Integration by Parts formula gives,

Z   Z
1 4
4x cos (2 − 3x) dx = (4x) − sin (2 − 3x) − − sin (2 − 3x) dx
3 3
Z
4 4
= − x sin (2 − 3x) + sin (2 − 3x) dx
3 3

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Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.1 : Integration by Parts

Step 4
Okay, the new integral we get is easily doable and so all we need to do to finish this
problem out is do the integral.

Z
4 4
4x cos (2 − 3x) dx = − x sin (2 − 3x) + cos (2 − 3x) + c
3 9

Z 0 1
2. Evaluate (2 + 5x) e 3 x dx .
6

Hint
Remember that we want to pick u and dv so that upon computing du and v and plugging
everything into the Integration by Parts formula the new integral is one that we can do.
Also, don’t forget that the limits on the integral won’t have any effect on the choices of u
and dv.

Step 1
The first step here is to pick u and dv. We want to choose u and dv so that when we
compute du and v and plugging everything into the Integration by Parts formula the new
integral we get is one that we can do.
With that in mind it looks like the following choices for u and dv should work for us.
1
u = 2 + 5x dv = e 3 x dx

Step 2
Next, we need to compute du (by differentiating u) and v (by integrating dv).

u = 2 + 5x → du = 5dx
1 1
x
dv = e 3 dx → v = 3e 3 x

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Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.1 : Integration by Parts

Step 3
We can deal with the limits as we do the integral or we can just do the indefinite integral
and then take care of the limits in the last step. We will be using the later way of dealing
with the limits for this problem.
So, plugging u, du, v and dv into the Integration by Parts formula gives,
Z  1  Z  1  Z
1 1 1
(2 + 5x) e 3 x = (2 + 5x) 3e 3 x − 5 3e 3 x dx = 3e 3 x (2 + 5x) − 15 e 3 x dx

Step 4
Okay, the new integral we get is easily doable so let’s evaluate it to get,
Z
1 1 1 1 1
(2 + 5x) e 3 x = 3e 3 x (2 + 5x) − 45e 3 x + c = 15xe 3 x − 39e 3 x + c

Step 5
The final step is then to take care of the limits.
Z 0 1
 1 1
 0
(2 + 5x) e 3 x dx = 15xe 3 x − 39e 3 x = −39 − 51e2 = −415.8419
6 6

Do not get excited about the fact that the lower limit is larger than the upper limit. This
can happen on occasion and in no way affects how the integral is evaluated.

Z
3t + t2 sin (2t) dt .


3. Evaluate

Hint
Remember that we want to pick u and dv so that upon computing du and v and plugging
everything into the Integration by Parts formula the new integral is one that we can do (or
at least will be easier to deal with).

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Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.1 : Integration by Parts

Step 1
The first step here is to pick u and dv. We want to choose u and dv so that when we
compute du and v and plugging everything into the Integration by Parts formula the new
integral we get is one that we can do or will at least be an integral that will be easier to
deal with.
With that in mind it looks like the following choices for u and dv should work for us.

u = 3t + t2 dv = sin (2t) dt

Step 2
Next, we need to compute du (by differentiating u) and v (by integrating dv).

u = 3t + t2 → du = (3 + 2t) dt
1
dv = sin (2t) dt → v = − cos (2t)
2

Step 3
Plugging u, du, v and dv into the Integration by Parts formula gives,
Z Z
1 1
3t + t2 sin (2t) dt = − 3t + t2 cos (2t) +



(3 + 2t) cos (2t) dt
2 2

Step 4
Now, the new integral is still not one that we can do with only Calculus I techniques.
However, it is one that we can do another integration by parts on and because the
power on the t’s have gone down by one we are heading in the right direction.
So, here are the choices for u and dv for the new integral.

u = 3 + 2t → du = 2dt
1
dv = cos (2t) dt → v = sin (2t)
2

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Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.1 : Integration by Parts

Step 5
Okay, all we need to do now is plug these new choices of u and dv into the new integral
we got in Step 3 and finish the problem out.

Z  Z 
2 1 1 1
sin (2t) dt = − 3t + t2 cos (2t) +



3t + t (3 + 2t) sin (2t) − sin (2t) dt
2 2 2
 
1 1 1 1
= − 3t + t2 cos (2t) +


(3 + 2t) sin (2t) + cos (2t) + c
2 2 2 2

1 1 1
3t + t2 cos (2t) + (3 + 2t) sin (2t) + cos (2t) + c


= −
2 4 4

Z  
−1 8
4. Evaluate 6 tan dw .
w

Hint
Be careful with your choices of u and dv here. If you think about it there is really only one
way that the choice can be made here and have the problem be workable.

Step 1
The first step here is to pick u and dv.
Note that if we choose the inverse tangent for dv the only way to get v is to integrate dv
and so we would need to know the answer to get the answer and so that won’t work for
us. Therefore, the only real choice for the inverse tangent is to let it be u.
So, here are our choices for u and dv.
 
−1 8
u = 6 tan dv = dw
w

Don’t forget the dw! The differential dw still needs to be put into the dv even though
there is nothing else left in the integral.

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Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.1 : Integration by Parts

Step 2
Next, we need to compute du (by differentiating u) and v (by integrating dv).

− w82 − w82
 
−1 8
u = 6 tan → du = 6
dw = 6 dw
w 8 2 1+ 64
1+ w w2

dv = dw → =w

Step 3
In order to complete this problem we’ll need to do some rewrite on du as follows,
−48
du = dw
w2+ 64

Plugging u, du, v and dv into the Integration by Parts formula gives,

Z     Z
8 8 w
6 tan−1 dw = 6w tan−1 + 48 dw
w w w2 + 64

Step 4
Okay, the new integral we get is easily doable (with the substitution u = 64 + w2 ) and
so all we need to do to finish this problem out is do the integral.

Z    
−1 8 −1 8
6 tan dw = 6w tan + 24 ln w2 + 64 + c
w w

Z  
2z 1
5. Evaluate e cos z dz .
4

Hint
This is one of the few integration by parts problems where either function can go on u and
dv. Be careful however to not get locked into an endless cycle of integration by parts.

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Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.1 : Integration by Parts

Step 1
The first step here is to pick u and dv.
In this case we can put the exponential in either the u or the dv and the cosine in the
other. It is one of the few problems where the choice doesn’t really matter.
For this problem well use the following choices for u and dv.
 
1
u = cos z dv = e2z dz
4

Step 2
Next, we need to compute du (by differentiating u) and v (by integrating dv).

   
1 1 1
u = cos z → du = − sin z dz
4 4 4
1 2z
dv = e2z dz → v= e
2

Step 3
Plugging u, du, v and dv into the Integration by Parts formula gives,
Z     Z  
1 1 1 1 1
e2z cos z dz = e2z cos z + e2z sin z dz
4 2 4 8 4

Step 4
We’ll now need to do integration by parts again and to do this we’ll use the following
choices.

   
1 1 1
u = sin z → du = cos z dz
4 4 4
1
dv = e2z dz → v = e2z
2

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Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.1 : Integration by Parts

Step 5
Plugging these into the integral from Step 3 gives,

Z        Z   
1 1 1 1 1 2z 1 1 1
e2z cos z dz = e2z cos z + e sin z − e2z cos z dz
4 2 4 8 2 4 8 4
    Z  
1 2z 1 1 2z 1 1 2z 1
= e cos z + e sin z − e cos z dz
2 4 16 4 64 4

Step 6
To finish this problem all we need to do is some basic algebraic manipulation to get the
identical integrals on the same side of the equal sign.

Z      
2z 1 1 2z 11 1
e cos + e sin
z dz = e2z cos
z z
4 16 24 4
Z  
1 2z 1
− e cos z dz
64 4
Z   Z      
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
e2z cos z dz + e2z cos z dz = e2z cos z + e2z sin z
4 64 4 2 4 16 4
Z      
65 2z 1 1 2z 1 1 2z 1
e cos z dz = e cos z + e sin z
64 4 2 4 16 4

Finally, all we need to do is move the coefficient on the integral over to the right side.

Z      
2z 1 32 2z 1 4 1
e cos z dz = e cos z + e2z sin z +c
4 65 4 65 4

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Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.1 : Integration by Parts

Z π
6. Evaluate x2 cos (4x) dx .
0

Hint
Remember that we want to pick u and dv so that upon computing du and v and plugging
everything into the Integration by Parts formula the new integral is one that we can do (or
at least will be easier to deal with).
Also, don’t forget that the limits on the integral won’t have any effect on the choices of u
and dv.

Step 1
The first step here is to pick u and dv. We want to choose u and dv so that when we
compute du and v and plugging everything into the Integration by Parts formula the new
integral we get is one that we can do or will at least be an integral that will be easier to
deal with.
With that in mind it looks like the following choices for u and dv should work for us.

u = x2 dv = cos (4x) dx

Step 2
Next, we need to compute du (by differentiating u) and v (by integrating dv).

u = x2 → du = 2x dx
1
dv = cos (4x) dx → v = sin (4x)
4

Step 3
We can deal with the limits as we do the integral or we can just do the indefinite integral
and then take care of the limits in the last step. We will be using the later way of dealing
with the limits for this problem.
So, plugging u, du, v and dv into the Integration by Parts formula gives,
Z Z
1 1
x2 cos (4x) dx = x2 sin (4x) − x sin (4x) dx
4 2

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Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.1 : Integration by Parts

Step 4
Now, the new integral is still not one that we can do with only Calculus I techniques.
However, it is one that we can do another integration by parts on and because the
power on the x’s have gone down by one we are heading in the right direction.
So, here are the choices for u and dv for the new integral.

u=x → du = dx
1
dv = sin (4x) dx → v = − cos (4x)
4

Step 5
Okay, all we need to do now is plug these new choices of u and dv into the new integral
we got in Step 3 and evaluate the integral.

Z  Z 
1 1 1 1
x cos (4x) dx = x2 sin (4x) −
2
− x cos (4x) + cos (4x) dx
4 2 4 4
 
1 1 1 1
= x2 sin (4x) − − x cos (4x) + sin (4x) + c
4 2 4 16
1 1 1
= x2 sin (4x) + x cos (4x) − sin (4x) + c
4 8 32

Step 6
The final step is then to take care of the limits.

Z π   π
2 1 2 1 1 1
x cos (4x) dx = x sin (4x) + x cos (4x) − sin (4x) = π
0 4 8 32 0 8

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Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.1 : Integration by Parts

Z
t7 sin 2t4 dt .


7. Evaluate

Hint
Be very careful with your choices of u and dv for this problem. It looks a lot like previous
practice problems but it isn’t!

Step 1
The first step here is to pick u and dv and, in this case, we’ll need to be careful how we
chose them.
If we follow the model of many of the examples/practice problems to this point it is tempt-
ing to let u be t7 and to let dv be sin 2t4 .

However, this will lead to some real problems. To compute v we’d have to integrate the
sine and because of the t4 in the argument this is not possible. In order to integrate the
sine we would have to have a t3 in the integrand as well in order to a substitution as
shown below,
Z Z
3 4 1 1
sin (w) dw = − cos 2t4 + c w = 2t4



t sin 2t dt =
8 8

Now, this may seem like a problem, but in fact it’s not a problem for this particular integral.
Notice that we actually have 7 t’s in the integral and there is no reason that we can’t split
them up as follows, Z Z
t sin 2t dt = t4 t3 sin 2t4 dt
7 4

After doing this we can now choose u and dv as follows,

u = t4 dv = t3 sin 2t4 dt

Step 2
Next, we need to compute du (by differentiating u) and v (by integrating dv).

u = t4 → du = 4t3 dt
1
dv = t3 sin 2t4 dt v = − cos 2t4



→
8

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Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.1 : Integration by Parts

Step 3
Plugging u, du, v and dv into the Integration by Parts formula gives,
Z Z
7 4 1 4 4

1
t3 cos 2t4 dt



t sin 2t dt = − t cos 2t +
8 2

Step 4
At this point, notice that the new integral just requires the same Calculus I substitution
that we used to find v. So, all we need to do is evaluate the new integral and we’ll be
done.
Z
1 1
t7 sin 2t4 dt = − t4 cos 2t4 + sin 2t4 + c




8 16

Do not get so locked into patterns for these problems that you end up turning the patterns
into “rules” on how certain kinds of problems work. Most of the easily seen patterns are
also easily broken (as this problem has shown).
Because we (as instructors) tend to work a lot of “easy” problems initially they also tend
to conform to the patterns that can be easily seen. This tends to lead students to the
idea that the patterns will always work and then when they run into one where the pattern
doesn’t work they get in trouble. So, be careful!
Note as well that we’re not saying that patterns don’t exist and that it isn’t useful to
recognize them. You just need to be careful and understand that there will, on occasion,
be problems where it will look like a pattern you recognize, but in fact will not quite fit
the pattern and another approach will be needed to work the problem.

Alternative Solution
Note that there is an alternate solution to this problem. We could use the substitution
w = 2t4 as the first step as follows.
1
w = 2t4 → dw = 8t3 dt & t4 = w
2
Z Z Z     Z
1 1 1
t7 sin 2t4 dt = t4 t3 sin 2t4 dt =



w sin (w) dw = w sin (w) dw
2 8 16

We won’t avoid integration by parts as we can see here, but it is somewhat easier to
see it this time. Here is the rest of the work for this problem.

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Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.1 : Integration by Parts

1 1
u= w → du = dw
16 16
dv = sin (w) dw → v = − cos (w)
Z Z
1 1 1 1
t7 sin 2t4 dt = − w cos (w) +


cos (w) dw = − w cos (w) + sin (w) + c
16 16 16 16

As the final step we just need to substitution back in for w.

Z
1 1
t7 sin 2t4 dt = − t4 cos 2t4 + sin 2t4 + c




8 16

Z
8. Evaluate y 6 cos (3y) dy .

Hint
Doing this with “standard” integration by parts would take a fair amount of time so maybe
this would be a good candidate for the “table” method of integration by parts.

Step 1
Okay, with this problem doing the “standard” method of integration by parts (i.e. picking
u and dv and using the formula) would take quite a bit of time. So, this looks like a good
problem to use the table that we saw in the notes to shorten the process up.
Here is the table for this problem.

y6 cos (3y) +
1
6y 5 sin (3y) −
3
1
30y 4 − cos (3y) +
9
1
120y 3 − sin (3y) −
27
1
360y 2 cos (3y) +
81
1
720y sin (3y) −
243
1
720 − cos (3y) +
729
1
0 − sin (3y) −
2187

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Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.1 : Integration by Parts

Step 2
Here’s the integral for this problem,

Z      
1 1 1
y 6 cos (3y) dy = y 6 sin (3y) − 6y 5 − cos (3y) + 30y 4 − sin (3y)




3 9 27
   

1 1
− 120y 3 cos (3y) + 360y 2


sin (3y)
81 243
   
1 1
− (720y) − cos (3y) + (720) − sin (3y) + c
729 2187

1 6 2 10 40
y sin (3y) + y 5 cos (3y) − y 4 sin (3y) − y 3 cos (3y)
= 3 3 9 27
40 2 80 80
+ y sin (3y) + y cos (3y) − sin (3y) + c
27 81 243

Z
4x3 − 9x2 + 7x + 3 e−x dx .


9. Evaluate

Hint
Doing this with “standard” integration by parts would take a fair amount of time so maybe
this would be a good candidate for the “table” method of integration by parts.

Step 1
Okay, with this problem doing the “standard” method of integration by parts (i.e. picking
u and dv and using the formula) would take quite a bit of time. So, this looks like a good
problem to use the table that we saw in the notes to shorten the process up.
Here is the table for this problem.

4x3 − 9x2 + 7x + 3 e−x +

12x2 − 18x + 7 −e−x −
24x − 18 e−x +
24 −e−x −
0 e−x +

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Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.1 : Integration by Parts

Step 2
Here’s the integral for this problem,

Z
4x3 − 9x2 + 7x + 3 e−x dx = 4x3 − 9x2 + 7x + 3 −e−x

− 12x2 − 18x + 7 e−x

+ (24x − 18) −e−x − (24) e−x + c

= −e−x 4x3 − 9x2 + 7x + 3 − e−x 12x2 − 18x + 7

− e−x (24x − 18) − 24e−x + c

−e−x 4x3 + 3x2 + 13x + 16 + c

=

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 869 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.2 : Integrals Involving Trig Functions

7.2 Integrals Involving Trig Functions

Z    
3 2 4 2
1. Evaluate sin x cos x dx.
3 3

Hint
Pay attention to the exponents and recall that for most of these kinds of problems you’ll
need to use trig identities to put the integral into a form that allows you to do the integral
(usually with a Calc I substitution).

Step 1
The first thing to notice here is that the exponent on the sine is odd and so we can strip
one of them out.
Z     Z      
3 2 4 2 2 2 4 2 2
sin x cos x dx = sin x cos x sin x dx
3 3 3 3 3

Step 2
Now we can use the trig identity sin2 (θ) + cos2 (θ) = 1 to convert the remaining sines to
cosines.
Z     Z       
3 2 4 2 2 2 4 2 2
sin x cos x dx = 1 − cos x cos x sin x dx
3 3 3 3 3

Step 3
2


We can now use the substitution u = cos 3x to evaluate the integral.

Z     Z
3 2 4 2 3
1 − u2 u4 du


sin x cos x dx = −
3 3 2
Z  
3 4 6 3 1 5 1 7
=− u − u du = − u − u +c
2 2 5 7

Note that we’ll not be doing the actual substitution work here. At this point it is assumed
that you recall substitution well enough to fill in the details if you need to. If you are rusty
on substitutions you should probably go back to the Calculus I practice problems and
practice on the substitutions.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 870 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.2 : Integrals Involving Trig Functions

Step 4
Don’t forget to substitute back in for u!

Z        
3 2 4 2 3 2 3 5 2
sin x cos x dx = cos7 x − cos x +c
3 3 14 3 10 3

Z
2. Evaluate sin8 (3z) cos5 (3z) dz .

Hint
Pay attention to the exponents and recall that for most of these kinds of problems you’ll
need to use trig identities to put the integral into a form that allows you to do the integral
(usually with a Calc I substitution).

Step 1
The first thing to notice here is that the exponent on the cosine is odd and so we can
strip one of them out.
Z Z
sin (3z) cos (3z) dz = sin8 (3z) cos4 (3z) cos (3z) dz
8 5

Step 2
Now we can use the trig identity sin2 (θ) + cos2 (θ) = 1 to convert the remaining cosines
to sines.

Z Z
8
2
5
sin8 (3z) cos2 (3z) cos (3z) dz

sin (3z) cos (3z) dz =
Z
2
sin8 (3z) 1 − sin2 (3z) cos (3z) dz

=

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Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.2 : Integrals Involving Trig Functions

Step 3
We can now use the substitution u = sin (3z) to evaluate the integral.

Z Z
1 2
sin8 (3z) cos5 (3z) dz = u8 1 − u2 du

3
Z  
1 8 10 12 1 1 9 2 11 1 13
= u − 2u + u du = u − u + u +c
3 3 9 11 13

Note that we’ll not be doing the actual substitution work here. At this point it is assumed
that you recall substitution well enough to fill in the details if you need to. If you are rusty
on substitutions you should probably go back to the Calculus I practice problems and
practice on the substitutions.

Step 4
Don’t forget to substitute back in for u!

Z
1 2 1
sin8 (3z) cos5 (3z) dz = sin9 (3z) − sin11 (3z) + sin13 (3z) + c
27 33 39

Z
3. Evaluate cos4 (2t) dt.

Hint
Pay attention to the exponents and recall that for most of these kinds of problems you’ll
need to use trig identities to put the integral into a form that allows you to do the integral
(usually with a Calc I substitution).

Step 1
The first thing to notice here is that we only have even exponents and so we’ll need to
use half-angle and double-angle formulas to reduce this integral into one that we can
do.
Also, do not get excited about the fact that we don’t have any sines in the integrand.
Sometimes we will not have both trig functions in the integrand. That doesn’t mean that
that we can’t use the same techniques that we used in this section.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 872 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.2 : Integrals Involving Trig Functions

So, let’s start this problem off as follows.

Z Z
4

2
cos (2t) dt = cos2 (2t) dt

Step 2
Now we can use the half-angle formula to get,
Z Z  2 Z
4 1 1
1 + 2 cos (4t) + cos2 (4t) dt


cos (2t) dt = (1 + cos (4t)) dt =
2 4

Step 3
We’ll need to use the half-angle formula one more time on the third term to get,

Z Z
4 1 1
cos (2t) dt = 1 + 2 cos (4t) + [1 + cos (8t)] dt
4 2
Z
1 3 1
= + 2 cos (4t) + cos (8t) dt
4 2 2

Step 4
Now all we have to do is evaluate the integral.
Z  
4 1 3 1 1
cos (2t) dt = t + sin (4t) + sin (8t) + c
4 2 2 16

3 1 1
= t + sin (4t) + sin (8t) + c
8 8 64

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 873 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.2 : Integrals Involving Trig Functions

Z 2π    
3 1 5 1
4. Evaluate cos w sin w dw.
π 2 2

Hint
Pay attention to the exponents and recall that for most of these kinds of problems you’ll
need to use trig identities to put the integral into a form that allows you to do the integral
(usually with a Calc I substitution).

Step 1
We have two options for dealing with the limits. We can deal with the limits as we do
the integral or we can evaluate the indefinite integral and take care of the limits in the
last step. We’ll use the latter method of dealing with the limits for this problem.
In this case notice that both exponents are odd. This means that we can either strip
out a cosine and convert the rest to sines or strip out a sine and convert the rest to
cosines. Either are perfectly acceptable solutions. However, the exponent on the cosine
is smaller and so there will be less conversion work if we strip out a cosine and convert
the remaining cosines to sines.
Here is that work.

Z     Z      
3 1 5 1 2 1 5 1 1
cos w sin w dw = cos w sin w cos w dw
2 2 2 2 2
Z       
2 1 5 1 1
= 1 − sin w sin w cos w dw
2 2 2

Step 2
1


We can now use the substitution u = sin 2w to evaluate the integral.

Z     Z
3 1 5 1
1 − u2 u5 du


cos w sin w dw = 2
2 2
Z  
5 7 1 6 1 8
= 2 u − u du = 2 u − u +c
6 8

Note that we’ll not be doing the actual substitution work here. At this point it is assumed
that you recall substitution well enough to fill in the details if you need to. If you are rusty
on substitutions you should probably go back to the Calculus I practice problems and
practice on the substitutions.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 874 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.2 : Integrals Involving Trig Functions

Step 3
Don’t forget to substitute back in for u!
Z        
3 1 5 1 1 6 1 1 8 1
cos w sin w dw = sin w − sin w +c
2 2 3 2 4 2

Step 4
Now all we need to do is deal with the limits.
Z 2π          2π
3 1 5 1 1 6 1 1 8 1 1
cos w sin w dw = sin w − sin w = −
π 2 2 3 2 4 2 π 12

Alternate Solution
As we noted above we could just have easily stripped out a sine and converted the rest
to cosines if we’d wanted to. We’ll not put that work in here, but here is the indefinite
integral that you should have gotten had you done it that way.
Z          
3 1 5 1 1 4 1 2 6 1 1 8 1
cos w sin w dw = − cos w + cos w − cos w +c
2 2 2 2 3 2 4 2

Note as well that regardless of which approach we use to doing the indefinite integral
the value of the definite integral will be the same.

Z
5. Evaluate sec6 (3y) tan2 (3y) dy.

Hint
Pay attention to the exponents and recall that for most of these kinds of problems you’ll
need to use trig identities to put the integral into a form that allows you to do the integral
(usually with a Calc I substitution).

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 875 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.2 : Integrals Involving Trig Functions

Step 1
The first thing to notice here is that the exponent on the secant is even and so we can
strip two of them out.
Z Z
sec6 (3y) tan2 (3y) dy = sec4 (3y) tan2 (3y) sec2 (3y) dy

Step 2
Now we can use the trig identity tan2 (θ) + 1 = sec2 (θ) to convert the remaining secants
to tangents.

Z Z
2
sec6 (3y) tan2 (3y) dy = sec2 (3y) tan2 (3y) sec2 (3y) dy


Z
 2 2
= tan (3y) + 1 tan2 (3y) sec2 (3y) dy

Step 3
We can now use the substitution u = tan (3y) to evaluate the integral.

Z Z
1  2 2
sec6 (3y) tan2 (3y) dy = u + 1 u2 du
3
Z  
1 6 4 2 1 1 7 2 5 1 3
= u + 2u + u du = u + u + u +c
3 3 7 5 3

Note that we’ll not be doing the actual substitution work here. At this point it is assumed
that you recall substitution well enough to fill in the details if you need to. If you are rusty
on substitutions you should probably go back to the Calculus I practice problems and
practice on the substitutions.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 876 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.2 : Integrals Involving Trig Functions

Step 4
Don’t forget to substitute back in for u!

Z
1 2 1
sec6 (3y) tan2 (3y) dy = tan7 (3y) + tan5 (3y) + tan3 (3y) + c
21 15 9

Z
6. Evaluate tan3 (6x) sec10 (6x) dx.

Hint
Pay attention to the exponents and recall that for most of these kinds of problems you’ll
need to use trig identities to put the integral into a form that allows you to do the integral
(usually with a Calc I substitution).

Step 1
The first thing to notice here is that the exponent on the tangent is odd and we’ve got a
secant in the problems and so we can strip one of each of them out.
Z Z
tan (6x) sec (6x) dx = tan2 (6x) sec9 (6x) tan (6x) sec (6x) dx
3 10

Step 2
Now we can use the trig identity tan2 (θ) + 1 = sec2 (θ) to convert the remaining tangents
to secants.
Z Z
3 10
sec2 (6x) − 1 sec9 (6x) tan (6x) sec (6x) dx
 
tan (6x) sec (6x) dx =

Note that because the exponent on the secant is even we could also have just stripped
two of them out and converted the rest of them to tangents. However, that conversion
process would have been significantly more work than the path that we chose here.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 877 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.2 : Integrals Involving Trig Functions

Step 3
We can now use the substitution u = sec (6x) to evaluate the integral.

Z Z
1  2
tan3 (6x) sec10 (6x) dx = u − 1 u9 du

6
Z  
1 11 9 1 1 12 1 10
= u − u du = u − u +c
6 6 12 10

Note that we’ll not be doing the actual substitution work here. At this point it is assumed
that you recall substitution well enough to fill in the details if you need to. If you are rusty
on substitutions you should probably go back to the Calculus I practice problems and
practice on the substitutions.

Step 4
Don’t forget to substitute back in for u!

Z
1 1
tan3 (6x) sec10 (6x) dx = sec12 (6x) − sec10 (6x) + c
72 60

Z π
4
7. Evaluate tan7 (z) sec3 (z) dz.
0

Hint
Pay attention to the exponents and recall that for most of these kinds of problems you’ll
need to use trig identities to put the integral into a form that allows you to do the integral
(usually with a Calc I substitution).

Step 1
We have two options for dealing with the limits. We can deal with the limits as we do
the integral or we can evaluate the indefinite integral and take care of the limits in the
last step. We’ll use the latter method of dealing with the limits for this problem.
The first thing to notice here is that the exponent on the tangent is odd and we’ve got
a secant in the problems and so we can strip one of each of them out and use the trig
identity tan2 (θ) + 1 = sec2 (θ) to convert the remaining tangents to secants.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 878 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.2 : Integrals Involving Trig Functions

Z Z
7 3
tan (z) sec (z) dz = tan6 (z) sec2 (z) tan (z) sec (z) dz
Z
3
tan2 (z) sec2 (z) tan (z) sec (z) dz

=
Z
3
sec2 (z) − 1 sec2 (z) tan (z) sec (z) dz

=

Step 2
We can now use the substitution u = sec (z) to evaluate the integral.

Z Z
3
tan7 (z) sec3 (z) dz = u2 − 1 u2 du


Z
1 3 3 1
= u8 − 3u6 + 3u4 − u2 du = u9 − u7 + u5 − u3 + c
9 7 5 3

Note that we’ll not be doing the actual substitution work here. At this point it is assumed
that you recall substitution well enough to fill in the details if you need to. If you are rusty
on substitutions you should probably go back to the Calculus I practice problems and
practice on the substitutions.

Step 3
Don’t forget to substitute back in for u!
Z
1 3 3 1
tan7 (z) sec3 (z) dz = sec9 (z) − sec7 (z) + sec5 (z) − sec3 (z) + c
9 7 5 3

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 879 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.2 : Integrals Involving Trig Functions

Step 4
Now all we need to do is deal with the limits.

Z π   π
4
7 3 1 3 3 1 4
tan (z) sec (z) dz = sec9 (z) − sec7 (z) + sec5 (z) − sec3 (z)
0 9 7 5 3 0

2  √ 
= 8 + 13 2 = 0.1675
315

Z
8. Evaluate cos (3t) sin (8t) dt.

Step 1
There really isn’t all that much to this problem. All we have to do is use the formula given
in this section for reducing a product of a sine and a cosine into a sum. Doing this gives,
Z Z Z
1 1
cos (3t) sin (8t) dt = [sin (8t − 3t) + sin (8t + 3t)] dt = sin (5t) + sin (11t) dt
2 2

Make sure that you pay attention to the formula! The formula given in this section listed
the sine first instead of the cosine. Make sure that you used the formula correctly!

Step 2
Now all we need to do is evaluate the integral.
Z  
1 1 1
cos (3t) sin (8t) dt = − cos (5t) − cos (11t) + c
2 5 11

1 1
= − cos (5t) − cos (11t) + c
10 22

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 880 –

 Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.2 : Integrals Involving Trig Functions

Z 3
9. Evaluate sin (8x) sin (x) dx.
1

Step 1
There really isn’t all that much to this problem. All we have to do is use the formula given
in this section for reducing a product of a sine and a cosine into a sum. Doing this gives,
Z 3 Z 3
1
sin (8x) sin (x) dx = [cos (8x − x) − cos (8x + x)] dx
1 1 2
1 3
Z
= cos (7x) − cos (9x) dx
2 1

Step 2
Now all we need to do is evaluate the integral.

Z 3   3
1 1 1
sin (8x) sin (x) dx = sin (7x) − sin (9x)
1 2 7 9 1

1 1 1 1
= sin (21) − sin (27) − sin (7) + sin (9)
14 18 14 18

= −0.0174

Make sure your calculator is set to radians if you computed a decimal answer!

Z
10. Evaluate cot (10z) csc4 (10z) dz.

Hint
Even though no examples of products of cotangents and cosecants were done in the
notes for this section you should know how to do them. Ask yourself how you would do
the problem if it involved tangents and secants instead and you should be able to see
how to do this problem as well.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 881 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.2 : Integrals Involving Trig Functions

Step 1
Other than the obvious difference in the actual functions there is no practical difference
in how this problem and one that had tangents and secants would work. So, all we need
to do is ask ourselves how this would work if it involved tangents and secants and we’ll
be able to work this on as well.
We can first notice here is that the exponent on the cotangent is odd and we’ve got
a cosecant in the problems and so we can strip the (only) cotangent and one of the
secants out.
Z Z
cot (10z) csc (10z) dz = csc3 (10z) cot (10z) csc (10z) dz
4

Step 2
Normally we would use the trig identity cot2 (θ) + 1 = csc2 (θ) to convert the remaining
cotangents to cosecants. However, in this case there are no remaining cotangents
to convert and so there really isn’t anything to do at this point other than to use the
substitution u = csc (10z) to evaluate the integral.
Z Z
4 1 1
cot (10z) csc (10z) dz = − u3 du = − u4 + c
10 40

Note that we’ll not be doing the actual substitution work here. At this point it is assumed
that you recall substitution well enough to fill in the details if you need to. If you are rusty
on substitutions you should probably go back to the Calculus I practice problems and
practice on the substitutions.

Step 3
Don’t forget to substitute back in for u!

Z
1
cot (10z) csc4 (10z) dz = − csc4 (10z) + c
40

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 882 –

 Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.2 : Integrals Involving Trig Functions

Z    
1 1
11. Evaluate csc6 w cot4 w dw.
4 4

Hint
Even though no examples of products of cotangents and cosecants were done in the
notes for this section you should know how to do them. Ask yourself how you would do
the problem if it involved tangents and secants instead and you should be able to see
how to do this problem as well.

Step 1
Other than the obvious difference in the actual functions there is no practical difference
in how this problem and one that had tangents and secants would work. So, all we need
to do is ask ourselves how this would work if it involved tangents and secants and we’ll
be able to work this on as well.
We can first notice here is that the exponent on the cosecant is even and so we can
strip out two of them.
Z     Z      
6 1 4 1 4 1 4 1 2 1
csc w cot w dw = csc w cot w csc w dw
4 4 4 4 4

Step 2
Now we can use the trig identity cot2 (θ)+1 = csc2 (θ) to convert the remaining cosecants
to cotangents.

Z     Z   2    
6 1 4 1 2 1 4 1 2 1
csc w cot w dw = csc w cot w csc w dw
4 4 4 4 4
Z    2    
2 1 4 1 2 1
= cot w + 1 cot w csc w dw
4 4 4

Step 3
1


Now we can use the substitution u = cot 4w to evaluate the integral.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 883 –

 Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.2 : Integrals Involving Trig Functions

Z     Z
6 1 4 1
 2 2
csc w cot w dw = −4 u + 1 u4 du
4 4
Z  
8 6 4 1 9 2 7 1 5
= −4 u + 2u + u du = −4 u + u + u +c
9 7 5

Note that we’ll not be doing the actual substitution work here. At this point it is assumed
that you recall substitution well enough to fill in the details if you need to. If you are rusty
on substitutions you should probably go back to the Calculus I practice problems and
practice on the substitutions.

Step 4
Don’t forget to substitute back in for u!

Z          
6 1 4 1 4 9 1 8 7 1 4 5 1
csc w cot w dw = − cot w − cot w − cot w +c
4 4 9 4 7 4 5 4

sec4 (2t)
Z
12. Evaluate dt.
tan9 (2t)

Hint
How would you do this problem if it were a product?

Step 1
If this were a product of secants and tangents we would know how to do it. The same
ideas work here, except that we have to pay attention to only the numerator. We can’t
strip anything out of the denominator (in general) and expect it to work the same way.
We can only strip things out of the numerator.
So, let’s notice here is that the exponent on the secant is even and so we can strip out
two of them.
sec4 (2t) sec2 (2t)
Z Z
dt = sec2 (2t) dt
tan9 (2t) tan9 (2t)

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 884 –

 Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.2 : Integrals Involving Trig Functions

Step 2
Now we can use the trig identity tan2 (θ) + 1 = sec2 (θ) to convert the remaining secants
to tangents.
sec4 (2t) tan2 (2t) + 1
Z Z
9 dt = 9 sec2 (2t) dt
tan (2t) tan (2t)

Step 3
Now we can use the substitution u = tan (2t) to evaluate the integral.

sec4 (2t)
Z Z 2 Z  
1 u +1 1 −7 −9 1 1 −6 1 −8
dt = du = u + u du = − u − u +c
tan9 (2t) 2 u9 2 2 6 8

Note that we’ll not be doing the actual substitution work here. At this point it is assumed
that you recall substitution well enough to fill in the details if you need to. If you are rusty
on substitutions you should probably go back to the Calculus I practice problems and
practice on the substitutions.

Step 4
Don’t forget to substitute back in for u!

sec4 (2t)
Z
1 1 1 1 1 1
dt = − − + c = − cot6 (2t) − cot8 (2t) + c
tan9 (2t) 12 tan6 (2t) 16 tan8 (2t) 12 16

2 + 7sin3 (z)
Z
13. Evaluate dz.
cos2 (z)

Hint
How would you do this problem if it were a product?

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 885 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.2 : Integrals Involving Trig Functions

Step 1
Because of the sum in the numerator it makes some sense (hopefully) to maybe split
the integrand (and then the integral) up into two as follows.

2 + 7sin3 (z) 7sin3 (z) 7sin3 (z)

Z Z Z Z
2 2
dz = + dz = dz + dz
cos2 (z) cos2 (z) cos2 (z) cos2 (z) cos2 (z)

Step 2
Now, the first integral looks difficult at first glance, but we can easily rewrite this in terms
of secants at which point it becomes a really easy integral.
For the second integral again, think about how we would do that if it was a product
instead of a quotient. In that case we would simply strip out a sine.

2 + 7sin3 (z) sin2 (z)

Z Z Z
2
dz = 2sec (z) dz + 7 sin (z) dz
cos2 (z) cos2 (z)

Step 3
As noted above the first integral is now very easy (which we’ll do in the next step) and
for the second integral we can use the trig identity sin2 (θ) + cos2 (θ) = 1 to convert the
remaining sines in the second integral to cosines.

2 + 7sin3 (z) 1 − cos2 (z)

Z Z Z
dz = 2sec2 (z) dz + 7 sin (z) dz
cos2 (z) cos2 (z)

Step 4
Now we can use the substitution u = cos (z) to evaluate the second integral. The first
integral doesn’t need any extra work.

2 + 7sin3 (z) 1 − u2
Z Z
dz = 2 tan (z) − 7 du
cos2 (z) u2
Z
u−2 − 1 du = 2 tan (z) − 7 −u−1 − u + c


= 2 tan (z) − 7

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 886 –

 Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.2 : Integrals Involving Trig Functions

Note that we’ll not be doing the actual substitution work here. At this point it is assumed
that you recall substitution well enough to fill in the details if you need to. If you are rusty
on substitutions you should probably go back to the Calculus I practice problems and
practice on the substitutions.

Step 5
Don’t forget to substitute back in for u!

2 + 7sin3 (z)
Z
dz
cos2 (z)

1
= 2 tan (z) + 7 + 7 cos (z) + c = 2 tan (z) + 7 sec (z) + 7 cos (z) + c
cos (z)

Z
9sin5 (3x) − 2cos3 (3x) csc4 (3x) dx.
 
14. Evaluate

Hint
Since this has a mix of trig functions maybe the best option would be to first get it reduced
down to just a couple that we know how to deal with.

Step 1
To get started on this problem we should first probably see if we can reduce the inte-
grand down to just sines and cosines. This is easy enough to do simply by recalling the
definition of cosecant in terms of sine.

Z Z
1
9sin5 (3x) − 2cos3 (3x) csc4 (3x) dx = 9sin5 (3x) − 2cos3 (3x)
   
4 dx
sin (3x)
cos3 (3x)
Z
= 9 sin (3x) − 2 dx
sin4 (3x)

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 887 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.2 : Integrals Involving Trig Functions

Step 2
The first integral is simple enough to do without any extra work.
For the second integral again, think about how we would do that if it was a product
instead of a quotient. In that case we would simply strip out a cosine.

cos2 (3x)
Z Z
5 3 4
 
9sin (3x) − 2cos (3x) csc (3x) dx = 9 sin (3x) − 2 cos (3x) dx
sin4 (3x)

Step 3
For the second integral we can use the trig identity sin2 (θ) + cos2 (θ) = 1 to convert the
remaining cosines to sines.
Z
9sin5 (3x) − 2cos3 (3x) csc4 (3x) dx
 

1 − sin2 (3x)
Z Z
= 9 sin (3x) dx − 2 cos (3x) dx
sin4 (3x)

Step 4
Now we can use the substitution u = sin (3x) to evaluate the second integral. The first
integral doesn’t need any extra work.

1 − u2
Z Z Z
2
9sin5 (3x) − 2cos3 (3x) csc4 (3x) dx =
 
9 sin (3x) dx − du
3 u4
Z Z
2
= 9 sin (3x) dx − u−4 − u−2 du
3
 
2 1 −3 −1
= −3 cos (3x) − − u +u +c
3 3

Note that we’ll not be doing the actual substitution work here. At this point it is assumed
that you recall substitution well enough to fill in the details if you need to. If you are rusty
on substitutions you should probably go back to the Calculus I practice problems and
practice on the substitutions.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 888 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.2 : Integrals Involving Trig Functions

Step 5
Don’t forget to substitute back in for u!

Z
2 1 2 1
9sin5 (3x) − 2cos3 (3x) csc4 (3x) dx = −3 cos (3x) +
 
3 − +c
9 sin (3x) 3 sin (3x)

2 2
= −3 cos (3x) + csc3 (3x) − csc (3x) + c
9 3

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 889 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

7.3 Trig Substitutions

p
1. Use a trig substitution to eliminate the root in 4 − 9z 2 .

Hint
When determining which trig function to use for the substitution recall from the notes in
this section that we will use one of three trig identities to convert the sum or difference
under the root into a single trig function. Which trig identity is closest to the quantity under
the root?

Step 1
The first step is to figure out which trig function to use for the substitution. To determine
this notice that (ignoring the numbers) the quantity under the root looks similar to the
identity,
1 − sin2 (θ) = cos2 (θ)

So, it looks like sine is probably the correct trig function to use for the substitution. Now,
we need to deal with the numbers on the two terms.

Hint
In order to actually use the identity from the first step we need to get the numbers in each
term to be identical upon doing the substitution. So, what would the coefficient of the trig
function need to be in order to convert the coefficient of the variable into the constant
term once we’ve done the substitution?

Step 2
To get the coefficient on the trig function notice that we need to turn the 9 into a 4 once
we’ve substituted the trig function in for z and squared the substitution out. With that in
mind it looks like the substitution should be,
2
z= sin (θ)
3

Now, all we have to do is actually perform the substitution and eliminate the root.

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Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

Step 3
s  2 s  
p 2 4
4 − 9z 2 = 4−9 sin (θ) = 4 − 9 sin2 (θ)
3 9
q q
= 4 − 4sin2 (θ) = 2 1 − sin2 (θ)
p
=2 cos2 (θ) = 2 |cos (θ)|

Note that because we don’t know the values of θ we can’t determine if the cosine is
positive or negative and so cannot get rid of the absolute value bars here.

p
2. Use a trig substitution to eliminate the root in 13 + 25x2 .

Hint
When determining which trig function to use for the substitution recall from the notes in
this section that we will use one of three trig identities to convert the sum or difference
under the root into a single trig function. Which trig identity is closest to the quantity under
the root?

Step 1
The first step is to figure out which trig function to use for the substitution. To determine
this notice that (ignoring the numbers) the quantity under the root looks similar to the
identity,
1 + tan2 (θ) = sec2 (θ)

So, it looks like tangent is probably the correct trig function to use for the substitution.
Now, we need to deal with the numbers on the two terms.

Hint
In order to actually use the identity from the first step we need to get the numbers in each
term to be identical upon doing the substitution. So, what would the coefficient of the trig
function need to be in order to convert the coefficient of the variable into the constant
term once we’ve done the substitution?

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 891 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

Step 2
To get the coefficient on the trig function notice that we need to turn the 25 into a 13
once we’ve substituted the trig function in for x and squared the substitution out. With
that in mind it looks like the substitution should be,
√
13
x= tan (θ)
5

Now, all we have to do is actually perform the substitution and eliminate the root.

Step 3

√
v !2 s
u  
p u 13 13
13 + 25x2 = 13 + 25
t tan (θ) = 13 + 25 tan2 (θ)
5 25
q √ q
= 13 + 13tan (θ) = 13 1 + tan2 (θ)
2

√ p √
= 13 sec2 (θ) = 13 |sec (θ)|

Note that because we don’t know the values of θ we can’t determine if the secant is
positive or negative and so cannot get rid of the absolute value bars here.

5
3. Use a trig substitution to eliminate the root in 7t2 − 3 2
.

Hint
When determining which trig function to use for the substitution recall from the notes in
this section that we will use one of three trig identities to convert the sum or difference
under the root into a single trig function. Which trig identity is closest to the quantity under
the root?

Step 1
First, notice that there really is a root here as the term can be written as,

5 h
1 i5 hp i5
7t2 − 3 2 = 7t2 − 3 2 = 7t2 − 3

Now, we need to figure out which trig function to use for the substitution. To determine

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 892 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

this notice that (ignoring the numbers) the quantity under the root looks similar to the
identity,
sec2 (θ) − 1 = tan2 (θ)

So, it looks like secant is probably the correct trig function to use for the substitution.
Now, we need to deal with the numbers on the two terms.

Hint
In order to actually use the identity from the first step we need to get the numbers in each
term to be identical upon doing the substitution. So, what would the coefficient of the trig
function need to be in order to convert the coefficient of the variable into the constant
term once we’ve done the substitution?

Step 2
To get the coefficient on the trig function notice that we need to turn the 7 into a 3 once
we’ve substituted the trig function in for t and squared the substitution out. With that in
mind it looks like the substitution should be,
√
3
t = √ sec (θ)
7

Now, all we have to do is actually perform the substitution and eliminate the root.

Step 3

5 hp i5
7t2 − 3 2 = 7t2 − 3
v 5
u √ !2 "s   #5
u 3 3
=  7 √ sec (θ) − 3 = 7 sec2 (θ) − 3
t 
7 7
hp i5 h√ p i5
= 3sec2 (θ) − 3 = 3 sec2 (θ) − 1
5
√
 q
5
= 2
3 tan (θ) = 3 2 |tan (θ)|5

Note that because we don’t know the values of θ we can’t determine if the tangent is
positive or negative and so cannot get rid of the absolute value bars here.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 893 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

q
4. Use a trig substitution to eliminate the root in (w + 3)2 − 100.

Hint
Just because this looks a little different from the first couple of problems in this section
doesn’t mean that it works any differently. The term under the root still looks vaguely like
one of three trig identities we need to use to convert the quantity under the root into a
single trig function.

Step 1
Okay, first off we need to acknowledge that this does look a little bit different from the
first few problems in this section. However, it isn’t really all that different. We still have a
difference between a squared term with a variable in it and a number. This looks similar
to the following trig identity (ignoring the coefficients as usual).

sec2 (θ) − 1 = tan2 (θ)

So, secant is the trig function we’ll need to use for the substitution here and we now
need to deal with the numbers on the terms and get the substitution set up.

Hint
Dealing with the numbers in this case is no different than the first few problems in this
section.

Step 2
Before dealing with the coefficient on the trig function let’s notice that we’ll be substituting
in for w + 3 in this case since that is the quantity that is being squared in the first term.
So, to get the coefficient on the trig function notice that we need to turn the 1 (i.e. the
coefficient of the squared term) into a 100 once we’ve done the substitution. With that
in mind it looks like the substitution should be,

w + 3 = 10 sec (θ)

Now, all we have to do is actually perform the substitution and eliminate the root.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 894 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

Step 3
q q
(w + 3) − 100 = (10 sec (θ))2 − 100 = 100sec2 (θ) − 100 = 10 sec2 (θ) − 1
2
p p

q
= 10 tan2 (θ) = 10 |tan (θ)|

Note that because we don’t know the values of θ we can’t determine if the tangent is
positive or negative and so cannot get rid of the absolute value bars here.

q
5. Use a trig substitution to eliminate the root in 4(9t − 5)2 + 1.

Hint
Just because this looks a little different from the first couple of problems in this section
doesn’t mean that it works any differently. The term under the root still looks vaguely like
one of three trig identities we need to use to convert the quantity under the root into a
single trig function.

Step 1
Okay, first off we need to acknowledge that this does look a little bit different from the
first few problems in this section. However, it isn’t really all that different. We still have
a sum of a squared term with a variable in it and a number. This looks similar to the
following trig identity (ignoring the coefficients as usual).

tan2 (θ) + 1 = sec2 (θ)

So, tangent is the trig function we’ll need to use for the substitution here and we now
need to deal with the numbers on the terms and get the substitution set up.

Hint
Dealing with the numbers in this case is no different than the first few problems in this
section.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 895 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

Step 2
Before dealing with the coefficient on the trig function let’s notice that we’ll be substituting
in for 9t − 5 in this case since that is the quantity that is being squared in the first term.
So, to get the coefficient on the trig function notice that we need to turn the 4 (i.e. the
coefficient of the squared term) into a 1 once we’ve done the substitution. With that in
mind it looks like the substitution should be,
1
9t − 5 = tan (θ)
2

Now, all we have to do is actually perform the substitution and eliminate the root.

Step 3
s  2 s  
1 1
q q
4(9t − 5)2 + 1 = 4 tan (θ) + 1 = 4 tan2 (θ) + 1 = tan2 (θ) + 1
2 4
p
= sec2 (θ) = |sec (θ)|

Note that because we don’t know the values of θ we can’t determine if the secant is
positive or negative and so cannot get rid of the absolute value bars here.

p
6. Use a trig substitution to eliminate the root in 1 − 4z − 2z 2 .

Hint
This doesn’t look much like a term that can use a trig substitution. So, the first step should
probably be to some algebraic manipulation on the quantity under the root to make it look
more like a problem that can use a trig substitution.

Step 1
We know that in order to do a trig substitution we really need a sum or difference of a term
with a variable squared and a number. This clearly does not fit into that form. However,
that doesn’t mean that we can’t do some algebraic manipulation on the quantity under
the root to get into a form that we can do a trig substitution on.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 896 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

Because the quantity under the root is a quadratic polynomial we know that we can
complete the square on it to turn it into something like what we need for a trig substitution.
Here is the completing the square work.
   2
1 1
2 2
1 − 4z − 2z = −2 z + 2z − (2) = [1]2 = 1
2 2
 
2 1
= −2 z + 2z +1 − 1 −
2
 
3
= −2 (z + 1)2 −
2
= 3 − 2(z + 1)2

So, after completing the square the term can be written as,
p q
1 − 4z − 2z 2 = 3 − 2(z + 1)2

Hint
At this point the problem works in the same manner as the previous problems in this
section.

Step 2
So, in this case we see that we have a difference of a number and a squared term with a
variable in it. This suggests that sine is the correct trig function to use for the substation.
Now, to get the coefficient on the trig function notice that we need to turn the 2 (i.e. the
coefficient of the squared term) into a 3 once we’ve done the substitution. With that in
mind it looks like the substitution should be,
√
3
z + 1 = √ sin (θ)
2

Now, all we have to do is actually perform the substitution and eliminate the root.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 897 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

Step 3

√
v !2
u
3
p q u
2
1 − 4z − 2z 2 = 3 − 2(z + 1) = 3 − 2 √ sin (θ)
t
2
q √ p √
= 3 − 3sin2 (θ) = 3 cos2 (θ) = 3 |cos (θ)|

Note that because we don’t know the values of θ we can’t determine if the cosine is
positive or negative and so cannot get rid of the absolute value bars here.

3
7. Use a trig substitution to eliminate the root in x2 − 8x + 21 2
.

Hint
This doesn’t look much like a term that can use a trig substitution. So, the first step should
probably be to some algebraic manipulation on the quantity under the root to make it look
more like a problem that can use a trig substitution.

Step 1
We know that in order to do a trig substitution we really need a sum or difference of a term
with a variable squared and a number. This clearly does not fit into that form. However,
that doesn’t mean that we can’t do some algebraic manipulation on the quantity under
the root to get into a form that we can do a trig substitution on.
Because the quantity under the root is a quadratic polynomial we know that we can
complete the square on it to turn it into something like what we need for a trig substitution.
Here is the completing the square work.
 2
1
2 2
x − 8x + 21 = x − 8x +16 − 16 + 21 (−8) = [−4]2 = 16
2
= (x − 4)2 + 5

So, after completing the square the term can be written as,
3 q 3
2

3 
2 2 2
x − 8x + 21 2
= (x − 4) + 5 = (x − 4) + 5

Note that we also explicitly put the root into the problem as well.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 898 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

Hint
At this point the problem works in the same manner as the previous problems in this
section.

Step 2
So, in this case we see that we have a sum of a squared term with a variable in it and a
number. This suggests that tangent is the correct trig function to use for the substation.
Now, to get the coefficient on the trig function notice that we need to turn the 1 (i.e. the
coefficient of the squared term) into a 5 once we’ve done the substitution. With that in
mind it looks like the substitution should be,
√
x − 4 = 5 tan (θ)

Now, all we have to do is actually perform the substitution and eliminate the root.

Step 3

3 "r #3
√
q 2

3
x2 − 8x + 21 2
= (x − 4)2 + 5 = 5 tan (θ) + 5
3  q 3
√
q
2 2
= 5tan (θ) + 5 = 5 tan (θ) + 1

h√ p i3 3
= 5 sec2 (θ) = 5 2 |sec (θ)|3

Note that because we don’t know the values of θ we can’t determine if the secant is
positive or negative and so cannot get rid of the absolute value bars here.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 899 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

p
8. Use a trig substitution to eliminate the root in e8x − 9.

Hint
This doesn’t look much like a term that can use a trig substitution. So, the first step should
probably be to some algebraic manipulation on the quantity under the root to make it look
more like a problem that can use a trig substitution.

Step 1
We know that in order to do a trig substitution we really need a sum or difference of a
term with a variable squared and a number. Even though this doesn’t look anything like
the “normal” trig substitution problems it is actually pretty close to one. To see this all
we need to do is rewrite the term under the root as follows.
p q
e − 9 = (e4x )2 − 9
8x

All we did here was take advantage of the basic exponent rules to make it clear that we
really do have a difference here of a squared term containing a variable and a number.

Hint
At this point the problem works in the same manner as the previous problems in this
section.

Step 2
The form of the quantity under the root suggests that secant is the correct trig function
to use for the substation.
Now, to get the coefficient on the trig function notice that we need to turn the 1 (i.e. the
coefficient of the squared term) into a 9 once we’ve done the substitution. With that in
mind it looks like the substitution should be,

e4x = 3 sec (θ)

Now, all we have to do is actually perform the substitution and eliminate the root.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 900 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

Step 3
p q
e − 9 = (3 sec (θ))2 − 9 = 9sec2 (θ) − 9
p
8x

p q
= 3 sec (θ) − 1 = 3 tan2 (θ) =
2 3 |tan (θ)|

Note that because we don’t know the values of θ we can’t determine if the tangent is
positive or negative and so cannot get rid of the absolute value bars here.

Z √
x2 + 16
9. Use a trig substitution to evaluate dx.
x4

Step 1
In this case it looks like we’ll need the following trig substitution.

x = 4 tan (θ)

Now we need to use the substitution to eliminate the root and get set up for actually
substituting this into the integral.

Step 2
Let’s first use the substitution to eliminate the root.
p q p
x2 + 16 = 16tan2 (θ) + 16 = 4 sec2 (θ) = 4 |sec (θ)|

Next, because we are doing an indefinite integral we will assume that the secant is
positive and so we can drop the absolute value bars to get,
p
x2 + 16 = 4 sec (θ)

For a final substitution preparation step let’s also compute the differential so we don’t
forget to use that in the substitution!

dx = 4 sec2 (θ) dθ

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 901 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

Step 3
Now let’s do the actual substitution.
Z √ 2
sec3 (θ)
Z Z
x + 16 4 sec (θ) 2
dx = 4sec (θ) dθ = dθ
x4 (4 tan (θ))4 16 tan4 (θ)

Do not forget to substitute in the differential we computed in the previous step. This is
probably the most common mistake with trig substitutions. Forgetting the differential can
substantially change the problem, often making the integral very difficult to evaluate.

Step 4
We now need to evaluate the integral. In this case the integral looks to be a little difficult
to do in terms of secants and tangents so let’s convert the integrand to sines and cosines
and see what we get. Doing this gives,
Z √ 2 Z
x + 16 1 cos (θ)
dx = dθ
x4 16 sin4 (θ)

This is a simple integral to evaluate so here is the integral evaluation.

Z √ 2 Z
x + 16 1 cos (θ)
dx = dθ u = sin (θ)
x 4 16 sin4 (θ)
Z
1
= u−4 du
16
1 1 1
= − u−3 + c = − [sin (θ)]−3 + c = − csc3 (θ) + c
48 48 48

Don’t forget all the “standard” manipulations of the integrand that we often need to do in
order to evaluate integrals involving trig functions. If you don’t recall them you’ll need to
go back to the previous section and work some practice problems to get good at them.
Every trig substitution problem reduces down to an integral involving trig functions and
the majority of them will need some manipulation of the integrand in order to evaluate.

Step 5
As the final step we just need to go back to x’s. To do this we’ll need a quick right
triangle. Here is that work.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 902 –

 Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

From the substitution we have,

 
x opp
tan (θ) = =
4 adj

From the right triangle we get,

√
x2 + 16
csc (θ) =
x

The integral is then,

Z √ 2 "√ #3
3
x + 16 1 x2 + 16 x2 + 16 2
dx = − +c= − +c
x4 48 x 48x3

Z p
10. Use a trig substitution to evaluate 1 − 7w2 dw.

Step 1
In this case it looks like we’ll need the following trig substitution.
1
w = √ sin (θ)
7

Now we need to use the substitution to eliminate the root and get set up for actually
substituting this into the integral.

Step 2
Let’s first use the substitution to eliminate the root.
p q p
1 − 7w2 = 1 − sin2 (θ) = cos2 (θ) = |cos (θ)|

Next, because we are doing an indefinite integral we will assume that the cosine is
positive and so we can drop the absolute value bars to get,
p
1 − 7w2 = cos (θ)

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 903 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

For a final substitution preparation step let’s also compute the differential so we don’t
forget to use that in the substitution!
1
dw = √ cos (θ) dθ
7

Step 3
Now let’s do the actual substitution.
Z p Z   Z
1 1
2
1 − 7w dw = cos (θ) √ cos (θ) dθ = √ cos2 (θ) dθ
7 7

Do not forget to substitute in the differential we computed in the previous step. This is
probably the most common mistake with trig substitutions. Forgetting the differential can
substantially change the problem, often making the integral very difficult to evaluate.

Step 4
We now need to evaluate the integral. Here is that work.
Z p Z  
2
1 1 1 1
1 − 7w dw = √ [1 + cos (2θ)] dθ = √ θ + sin (2θ) + c
7 2 2 7 2

Don’t forget all the “standard” manipulations of the integrand that we often need to do in
order to evaluate integrals involving trig functions. If you don’t recall them you’ll need to
go back to the previous section and work some practice problems to get good at them.
Every trig substitution problem reduces down to an integral involving trig functions and
the majority of them will need some manipulation of the integrand in order to evaluate.

Step 5
As the final step we just need to go back to w’s.
To eliminate the the first term (i.e. the θ) we can use any of the inverse trig functions.
The easiest is to probably just use the original substitution and get a formula involving
inverse sine but any of the six trig functions could be used if we wanted to. Using the

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 904 –

 Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

substitution gives us,

√ √ 
sin (θ) = 7w ⇒ θ = sin−1 7w

Eliminating the sin (2θ) requires a little more work. We can’t just use a right triangle as
we normally would because that would only give trig functions with an argument of θ
and we have an argument of 2θ. However, we could use the double angle formula for
sine to reduce this to trig functions with arguments of θ . Doing this gives,
Z p
1
1 − 7w2 dw = √ [θ + sin (θ) cos (θ)] + c
2 7

We can now do the right triangle work.

From the substitution we have,

√  
7w opp
sin (θ) = =
1 hyp

From the right triangle we get,

p
cos (θ) = 1 − 7w2

The integral is then,

Z p
1 h √  √ p i
1 − 7w2 dw = √ sin−1 7w + 7 w 1 − 7w2 + c
2 7

Z

5
11. Use a trig substitution to evaluate t3 3t2 − 4 2 dt.

Step 1
First, do not get excited about the exponent in the integrand. These types of problems
work exactly the same as those with just a root (as opposed to this case in which we
have a root to a power - you do agree that is what we have right?). So, in this case it
looks like we’ll need the following trig substitution.
2
t = √ sec (θ)
3

Now we need to use the substitution to eliminate the root and get set up for actually
substituting this into the integral.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 905 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

Step 2
Let’s first use the substitution to eliminate the root.
i5 hp i5  q 5

5 hp
3t2 − 4 2 = 3t2 − 4 = 4sec2 (θ) − 4 = 2 tan2 (θ) = 32|tan (θ)|5

Next, because we are doing an indefinite integral we will assume that the tangent is
positive and so we can drop the absolute value bars to get,

5
3t2 − 4 2
= 32 tan5 (θ)

For a final substitution preparation step let’s also compute the differential so we don’t
forget to use that in the substitution!
2
dt = √ sec (θ) tan (θ) dθ
3

Step 3
Now let’s do the actual substitution.

2 3
Z Z    
3 2

5 3 5

2
t 3t − 4 dt =
2
√ sec (θ) 32tan (θ) √ sec (θ) tan (θ) dθ
3 3
Z
512
= sec4 (θ) tan6 (θ) dθ
9

Do not forget to substitute in the differential we computed in the previous step. This is
probably the most common mistake with trig substitutions. Forgetting the differential can
substantially change the problem, often making the integral very difficult to evaluate.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 906 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

Step 4
We now need to evaluate the integral. Here is that work.
Z Z
3 2

5 512
tan2 (θ) + 1 tan6 (θ) sec2 (θ) dθ


t 3t − 4 dt =
2
u = tan (θ)
9
Z Z
512 2

6 512
= u + 1 u du = u8 + u6 du
9 9
 
512 1 9 1 7
= tan (θ) + tan (θ) + c
9 9 7

Don’t forget all the “standard” manipulations of the integrand that we often need to do in
order to evaluate integrals involving trig functions. If you don’t recall them you’ll need to
go back to the previous section and work some practice problems to get good at them.
Every trig substitution problem reduces down to an integral involving trig functions and
the majority of them will need some manipulation of the integrand in order to evaluate.

Step 5
As the final step we just need to go back to t’s. To do this we’ll need a quick right triangle.
Here is that work.

From the substitution we have,

√  
3t hyp
sec (θ) = =
2 adj

From the right triangle we get,

√
3t2 − 4
tan (θ) =
2

The integral is then,

 √ !9 √ !7 
3t2 − 4 3t2 − 4
Z

5 512  1 1
t3 3t2 − 4 2
dt = + +c
9 9 2 7 2

9
7
3t2 − 4 2 4 3t2 − 4 2
= + +c
81 63

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 907 –

 Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

Z −5
2
12. Use a trig substitution to evaluate p dy.
−7 y4 y 2 − 25

Step 1
In this case it looks like we’ll need the following trig substitution.

y = 5 sec (θ)

Now we need to use the substitution to eliminate the root and get set up for actually
substituting this into the integral.

Step 2
Let’s first use the substitution to eliminate the root.
p p q
y − 25 = 25sec (θ) − 25 = 5 tan2 (θ) = 5 |tan (θ)|
2 2

Step 3
Okay, in this case we have limits on y and so we can get limits on θ that will allow us to
determine if tangent is positive or negative to allow us to eliminate the absolute value
bars.
So, let’s get some limits on θ.
 
7 −1 7
y = −7 : −7 = 5 sec (θ) → sec (θ) = − → θ = sec − = 2.3664
5 5
y = −5 : −5 = 5 sec (θ) → sec (θ) = −1 → θ=π

So, θ’s for this problem are in the range 2.3664 ≤ θ ≤ π and these are in the second
quadrant. In the second quadrant we know that tangent is negative and so we can drop
the absolute value bars provided we add in a minus sign. This gives,
p
y 2 − 25 = −5 tan (θ)

For a final substitution preparation step let’s also compute the differential so we don’t
forget to use that in the substitution!

dy = 5 sec (θ) tan (θ) dθ

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 908 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

Step 4
Now let’s do the actual substitution.
Z −5 Z π
2 2
p dy = 4 4
(5 sec (θ) tan (θ)) dθ
−7 y 4 y 2 − 25 2.3664 5 sec (θ) (−5 tan (θ))
Z π
2 1
=− dθ
625 2.3664 sec3 (θ)

Do not forget to substitute in the differential we computed in the previous step. This is
probably the most common mistake with trig substitutions. Forgetting the differential can
substantially change the problem, often making the integral very difficult to evaluate.
Also notice that upon doing the substation we replaced the y limits with the θ limits. This
will help with a later step.

Step 5
We now need to evaluate the integral. In terms of secants this integral would be pretty
difficult, however we a quick change to cosines we get the following integral.
Z −5 Z π
2 2
p dy = − cos3 (θ) dθ
−7 y 4 y 2 − 25 625 2.3664

This should be relatively simple to do so here is the integration work.

Z −5 Z π
2 2
1 − sin2 (θ) cos (θ) dθ


p dy = − u = sin (θ)
−7 y 4 y 2 − 25 625 2.3664
Z sin(π)
2
=− 1 − u2 du
625 sin(2.3664)
1 3 0
 
2
=− u− u = 0.001874
625 3 0.69986

Don’t forget all the “standard” manipulations of the integrand that we often need to do in
order to evaluate integrals involving trig functions. If you don’t recall them you’ll need to
go back to the previous section and work some practice problems to get good at them.
Every trig substitution problem reduces down to an integral involving trig functions and
the majority of them will need some manipulation of the integrand in order to evaluate.
Also, note that because we converted the limits at every substitution into limits for the
“new” variable we did not need to do any back substitution work on our answer!

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 909 –

 Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

Z 4 p
13. Use a trig substitution to evaluate 2z 5 2 + 9z 2 dz .
1

Step 1
In this case it looks like we’ll need the following trig substitution.
√
2
z= tan (θ)
3

Now we need to use the substitution to eliminate the root and get set up for actually
substituting this into the integral.

Step 2
Let’s first use the substitution to eliminate the root.
p q √ p √
2 + 9z 2 = 2 + 2tan2 (θ) = 2 sec2 (θ) = 2 |sec (θ)|

Step 3
Okay, in this case we have limits on z and so we can get limits on θ that will allow us to
determine if tangent is positive or negative to allow us to eliminate the absolute value
bars.
So, let’s get some limits on θ.
√  
2 3 −1 3
z=1: 1= tan (θ) → tan (θ) = √ → θ = tan √ = 1.1303
3 2 2
√  
2 12 −1 12
z=4: 4= tan (θ) → tan (θ) = √ → θ = tan √ = 1.4535
3 2 2

So, θ’s for this problem are in the range 1.1303 ≤ θ ≤ 1.4535 and these are in the first
quadrant. In the first quadrant we know that cosine, and hence secant, is positive and
so we can just drop the absolute value bars. This gives,
p √
2 + 9z 2 = 2 sec (θ)

For a final substitution preparation step let’s also compute the differential so we don’t

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 910 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

forget to use that in the substitution!

√
2
dz = sec2 (θ) dθ
3

Step 4
Now let’s do the actual substitution.
Z 4 Z 1.4535
√ !5 √ √ !
p
5 2  2
2z 2 + 9z 2 dz = 2 tan5 (θ) 2 sec (θ) 2
sec (θ) dθ
1 1.1303 3 3
√ Z
16 2 1.4535
= tan5 (θ) sec3 (θ) dθ
729 1.1303

Do not forget to substitute in the differential we computed in the previous step. This is
probably the most common mistake with trig substitutions. Forgetting the differential can
substantially change the problem, often making the integral very difficult to evaluate.
Also notice that upon doing the substation we replaced the y limits with the θ limits. This
will help with a later step.

Step 5
We now need to evaluate the integral. Here is that work.
Z 4 √ Z 1.4535
5
p 16 2 2
sec2 (θ) − 1 sec2 (θ) tan (θ) sec (θ) dθ

2z 2 + 9z 2 dz =
1 729 1.1303
√ Z
16 2 sec(1.4535)  2 2
= u − 1 u2 du u = sec (θ)
729 sec(1.1303)
√ Z
16 2 8.5440 6
= u − 2u4 + u2 du
729 2.3452
√   8.5440
16 2 1 7 2 5 1 3
= u − u + u = 14178.20559
729 7 5 3
2.3452

Don’t forget all the “standard” manipulations of the integrand that we often need to do in
order to evaluate integrals involving trig functions. If you don’t recall them you’ll need to
go back to the previous section and work some practice problems to get good at them.
Every trig substitution problem reduces down to an integral involving trig functions and
the majority of them will need some manipulation of the integrand in order to evaluate.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 911 –

 Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

Also, note that because we converted the limits at every substitution into limits for the
“new” variable we did not need to do any back substitution work on our answer!

Z
1
14. Use a trig substitution to evaluate √ dx.
9x2 − 36x + 37

Step 1
The first thing we’ll need to do here is complete the square on the polynomial to get this
into a form we can use a trig substitution on.
     
2 2 37 2 37 2 1
9x − 36x + 37 = 9 x − 4x + = 9 x − 4x + 4 − 4 + = 9 (x − 2) +
9 9 9
= 9(x − 2)2 + 1

The integral is now,

Z Z
1 1
√ dx = q dx
2
9x − 36x + 37 2
9(x − 2) + 1

Now we can proceed with the trig substitution.

Step 2
It looks like we’ll need to the following trig substitution.
1
x−2= tan (θ)
3

Next let’s eliminate the root.

q q
9(x − 2) + 1 = tan (θ)2 + 1 = sec2 (θ) = |sec (θ)|
2
p

Next, because we are doing an indefinite integral we will assume that the secant is
positive and so we can drop the absolute value bars to get,
q
9(x − 2)2 + 1 = sec (θ)

For a final substitution preparation step let’s also compute the differential so we don’t
forget to use that in the substitution!
1 1
(1) dx = sec2 (θ) dθ ⇒ dx = sec2 (θ) dθ
3 3

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 912 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

Recall that all we really need to do here is compute the differential for both the right and
left sides of the substitution.

Step 3
Now let’s do the actual substitution.
Z Z   Z
1 1 1 2 1
√ dx = sec (θ) dθ = sec (θ) dθ
9x2 − 36x + 37 sec (θ) 3 3

Do not forget to substitute in the differential we computed in the previous step. This is
probably the most common mistake with trig substitutions. Forgetting the differential can
substantially change the problem, often making the integral very difficult to evaluate.

Step 4
We now need to evaluate the integral. Here is that work.
Z
1 1
√ dx = ln |sec (θ) + tan (θ)| + c
9x2 − 36x + 37 3

Note that this was one of the few trig substitution integrals that didn’t really require a lot
of manipulation of trig functions to completely evaluate. All we had to really do here was
use the fact that we determined the integral of sec (θ) in the previous section and reuse
that result here.

Step 5
As the final step we just need to go back to x’s. To do this we’ll need a quick right
triangle. Here is that work.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 913 –

 Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

From the substitution we have,

 
3 (x − 2) opp
tan (θ) = =
1 adj

From the right triangle we get,

q
sec (θ) = 9(x − 2)2 + 1

The integral is then,

Z
1 1
q
√ dx = ln 9(x − 2)2 + 1 + 3 (x − 2) + c
2
9x − 36x + 37 3

(z + 3)5
Z
15. Use a trig substitution to evaluate 3 dz.
(40 − 6z − z 2 ) 2

Step 1
The first thing we’ll need to do here is complete the square on the polynomial to get this
into a form we can use a trig substitution on.
h i
2 2

2

2
40 − 6z − z = − z + 6z − 40 = − z + 6z + 9 − 9 − 40 = − (z + 3) − 49
= 49 − (z + 3)2

The integral is now,

(z + 3)5 (z + 3)5
Z Z
3 dz =  3 dz
(40 − 6z − z 2 ) 2

2 2
49 − (z + 3)

Now we can proceed with the trig substitution.

Step 2
It looks like we’ll need to the following trig substitution.

z + 3 = 7 sin (θ)

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 914 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

Next let’s eliminate the root.

 3 hp i3 q 3 h i3
2 2 2
p
49 − (z + 3) = 49 − (z + 3) = 49 − 49sin (θ) = 7 cos2 (θ)

= 343|cos (θ)|3

Next, because we are doing an indefinite integral we will assume that the cosine is
positive and so we can drop the absolute value bars to get,
 3
49 − (z + 3)2
2
= 343cos3 (θ)

For a final substitution preparation step let’s also compute the differential so we don’t
forget to use that in the substitution!

(1) dz = 7 cos (θ) dθ ⇒ dz = 7 cos (θ) dθ

Recall that all we really need to do here is compute the differential for both the right and
left sides of the substitution.

Step 3
Now let’s do the actual substitution.

(z + 3)5 16807sin5 (θ) sin5 (θ)

Z Z Z
3 dz = (7 cos (θ)) dθ = 343 dθ
(40 − 6z − z 2 ) 2 343cos3 (θ) cos2 (θ)

Do not forget to substitute in the differential we computed in the previous step. This is
probably the most common mistake with trig substitutions. Forgetting the differential can
substantially change the problem, often making the integral very difficult to evaluate.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 915 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

Step 4
We now need to evaluate the integral. Here is that work.
2
(z + 3)5 1 − cos2 (θ)
Z Z 
3 dz = 343 sin (θ) dθ u = cos (θ)
(40 − 6z − z 2 ) 2 cos2 (θ)
2
1 − u2
Z  Z
= −343 du = −343 u−2 − 2 + u2 du
u2
 
−1 1 3
= −343 −u − 2u + u + c
3
 
1 1 3
= −343 − − 2 cos (θ) + cos (θ) + c
cos (θ) 3

Don’t forget all the “standard” manipulations of the integrand that we often need to do in
order to evaluate integrals involving trig functions. If you don’t recall them you’ll need to
go back to the previous section and work some practice problems to get good at them.
Every trig substitution problem reduces down to an integral involving trig functions and
the majority of them will need some manipulation of the integrand in order to evaluate.

Step 5
As the final step we just need to go back to z’s. To do this we’ll need a quick right triangle.
Here is that work.

From the substitution we have,

 
z+3 adj
sin (θ) = =
7 hyp

From the right triangle we get,

q
49 − (z + 3)2
cos (θ) =
7

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 916 –

 Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

The integral is then,

(z + 3)5
Z
3 dz
(40 − 6z − z 2 ) 2
 3
49 − (z + 3)2
2
2401
q
2
= q + 98 49 − (z + 3) − +c
3
49 − (z + 3)2

Z q
16. Use a trig substitution to evaluate cos (x) 9 + 25sin2 (x) dx.

Step 1
Let’s first rewrite the integral a little bit.
Z q Z q
cos (x) 9 + 25sin (x) dx = cos (x) 9 + 25[sin (x)]2 dx
2

Step 2
With the integral written as it is in the first step we can now see that we do have a sum
of a number and something squared under the root. We know from the problems done
previously in this section that looks like a tangent substitution. So, let’s use the following
substitution.
3
sin (x) = tan (θ)
5
Do not get excited about the fact that we are substituting one trig function for another.
That will happen on occasion with these kinds of problems. Note however, that we need
to be careful and make sure that we also change the variable from x (i.e. the variable in
the original trig function) into θ (i.e. the variable in the new trig function).
Next let’s eliminate the root.
s  2 q
3
q
2
p
9 + 25[sin (x)] = 9 + 25 tan (θ) = 9 + 9tan2 (θ) = 3 sec2 (θ) = 3 |sec (θ)|
5

Next, because we are doing an indefinite integral we will assume that the secant is
positive and so we can drop the absolute value bars to get,
q
9 + 25[sin (x)]2 = 3 sec (θ)

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 917 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

For a final substitution preparation step let’s also compute the differential so we don’t
forget to use that in the substitution!
3
cos (x) dx = sec2 (θ) dθ
5

Recall that all we really need to do here is compute the differential for both the right and
left sides of the substitution.

Step 3
Now let’s do the actual substitution.
Z q Z q
cos (x) 9 + 25sin2 (x) dx = 9 + 25[sin (x)]2 cos (x) dx
Z   Z
3 2 9
= (3 sec (θ)) sec (θ) dθ = sec3 (θ) dθ
5 5

Do not forget to substitute in the differential we computed in the previous step. This is
probably the most common mistake with trig substitutions. Forgetting the differential can
substantially change the problem, often making the integral very difficult to evaluate.

Step 4
We now need to evaluate the integral. Here is that work.
Z
9
q
cos (x) 9 + 25sin2 (x) dx = [sec (θ) tan (θ) + ln |sec (θ) + tan (θ)|] + c
10

Note that this was one of the few trig substitution integrals that didn’t really require a
lot of manipulation of trig functions to completely evaluate. All we had to really do here
was use the fact that we determined the integral of sec3 (θ) in the previous section and
reuse that result here.

Step 5
As the final step we just need to go back to x’s. To do this we’ll need a quick right
triangle. Here is that work.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 918 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.3 : Trig Substitutions

From the substitution we have,

 
5 sin (x) opp
tan (θ) = =
3 adj

From the right triangle we get,

q
9 + 25sin2 (x)
sec (θ) =
3

The integral is then,

Z q
cos (x) 9 + 25sin2 (x) dx

q q
sin (x) 9 + 25sin2 (x) 9 5 sin (x) + 9 + 25sin2 (x)
= + ln +c
2 10 3

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 919 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.4 : Partial Fractions

7.4 Partial Fractions

Z
4
1. Evaluate the integral dx.
x2 + 5x − 14

Step 1
To get the problem started off we need the form of the partial fraction decomposition of
the integrand. However, in order to get this, we’ll need to factor the denominator.
Z Z
4 4
2
dx = dx
x + 5x − 14 (x + 7) (x − 2)

The form of the partial fraction decomposition for the integrand is then,
4 A B
= +
(x + 7) (x − 2) x+7 x−2

Step 2
Setting the numerators equal gives,

4 = A (x − 2) + B (x + 7)

Step 3
We can use the “trick” discussed in the notes to easily get the coefficients in this case
so let’s do that. Here is that work.
4
x =2 : 4 = 9B A=−
9
⇒
x = − 7 : 4 = −9A 4
B=
9

The partial fraction form of the integrand is then,

4 − 49 4
= + 9
(x + 7) (x − 2) x+7 x−2

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 920 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.4 : Partial Fractions

Step 4
We can now do the integral.

− 49 4
Z Z
4 4 4
dx = + 9 dx = ln |x − 2| − ln |x + 7| + c
(x + 7) (x − 2) x+7 x−2 9 9

8 − 3t
Z
2. Evaluate the integral dt.
10t2 + 13t − 3

Step 1
To get the problem started off we need the form of the partial fraction decomposition of
the integrand. However, in order to get this, we’ll need to factor the denominator.
8 − 3t 8 − 3t
Z Z
dt = dt
10t2 + 13t − 3 (2t + 3) (5t − 1)

The form of the partial fraction decomposition for the integrand is then,
8 − 3t A B
= +
10t2 + 13t − 3 2t + 3 5t − 1

Step 2
Setting the numerators equal gives,

8 − 3t = A (5t − 1) + B (2t + 3)

Step 3
We can use the “trick” discussed in the notes to easily get the coefficients in this case
so let’s do that. Here is that work.
1 37 17 25
t= : = B A=−
5 5 5 17
⇒
3 25 17 37
t=− : =− A B=
2 2 2 17

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 921 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.4 : Partial Fractions

The partial fraction form of the integrand is then,

8 − 3t − 25
17
37
= + 17
10t2 + 13t − 3 2t + 3 5t − 1

Step 4
We can now do the integral.

8 − 3t − 25 37
Z Z
17 37 25
2
dt = + 17 dt = ln |5t − 1| − ln |2t + 3| + c
10t + 13t − 3 2t + 3 5t − 1 85 34

Hopefully you are getting good enough with integration that you can do some of these
integrals in your head. Be careful however with both of these integrals. When doing
these kinds of integrals in our head it is easy to forget about the substitutions that are
technically required to do them and then miss the coefficients from the substitutions that
need to show up in the answer.

0
w2 + 7w
Z
3. Evaluate the integral dw.
−1 (w + 2) (w − 1) (w − 4)

Step 1
In this case the denominator is already factored and so we can go straight to the form
of the partial fraction decomposition for the integrand.

w2 + 7w A B C
= + +
(w + 2) (w − 1) (w − 4) w+2 w−1 w−4

Step 2
Setting the numerators equal gives,

w2 + 7w = A (w − 1) (w − 4) + B (w + 2) (w − 4) + C (w + 2) (w − 1)

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 922 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.4 : Partial Fractions

Step 3
We can use the “trick” discussed in the notes to easily get the coefficients in this case
so let’s do that. Here is that work.
5
A=−
w=1 : 8 = −9B 9

8
w =4 : 44 = 18C ⇒ B=−
9

w = − 2 : −10 = 18A 22
C=
9

The partial fraction form of the integrand is then,

w2 + 7w − 59 8 22
= − 9 + 9
(w + 2) (w − 1) (w − 4) w+2 w−1 w−4

Step 4
We can now do the integral.
0
w2 + 7w 0 − 59 8 22
Z Z
dw = − 9 + 9 dw
−1 (w + 2) (w − 1) (w − 4) −1 w+2 w−1 w−4
  0
5 8 22
= − ln |w + 2| − ln |w − 1| + ln |w − 4|
9 9 9 −1

22 3 22
= ln (4) + ln (2) − ln (5)
9 9 9

47 22
= ln (2) − ln (5)
9 9

Note that we used a quick logarithm property to combine the first two logarithms into
a single logarithm. You should probably review your logarithm properties if you don’t
recognize the one that we used. These kinds of property applications can really simplify
your work on occasion if you know them!

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 923 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.4 : Partial Fractions

Z
8
4. Evaluate the integral dx.
3x3 + 7x2 + 4x

Step 1
To get the problem started off we need the form of the partial fraction decomposition of
the integrand. However, in order to get this, we’ll need to factor the denominator.
Z Z
8 8
3 2
dx = dx
3x + 7x + 4x x (3x + 4) (x + 1)

The form of the partial fraction decomposition for the integrand is then,
8 A B C
= + +
x (3x + 4) (x + 1) x 3x + 4 x + 1

Step 2
Setting the numerators equal gives,

8 = A (3x + 4) (x + 1) + Bx (x + 1) + C x (3x + 4)

Step 3
We can use the “trick” discussed in the notes to easily get the coefficients in this case
so let’s do that. Here is that work.
4 4
x=− : 8= B A=2
3 9

x=−1 : 8=−C ⇒ B = 18

x =0 : 8 =4A C = −8

The partial fraction form of the integrand is then,

8 2 18 8
= + −
x (3x + 4) (x + 1) x 3x + 4 x + 1

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 924 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.4 : Partial Fractions

Step 4
We can now do the integral.
Z Z
8 2 18 8
dx = + − dx
x (3x + 4) (x + 1) x 3x + 4 x + 1

= 2 ln |x| + 6 ln |3x + 4| − 8 ln |x + 1| + c

Hopefully you are getting good enough with integration that you can do some of these
integrals in your head. Be careful however with the second integral. When doing these
kinds of integrals in our head it is easy to forget about the substitutions that are techni-
cally required to do them and then miss the coefficients from the substitutions that need
to show up in the answer.

4
3z 2 + 1
Z
5. Evaluate the integral dz.
2 (z + 1) (z − 5)2

Step 1
In this case the denominator is already factored and so we can go straight to the form
of the partial fraction decomposition for the integrand.

3z 2 + 1 A B C
2 = z+1 + z−5 +
(z + 1) (z − 5) (z − 5)2

Step 2
Setting the numerators equal gives,

3z 2 + 1 = A(z − 5)2 + B (z + 1) (z − 5) + C (z + 1)

Step 3
We can use the “trick” discussed in the notes to easily get two of the coefficients and
then we can just pick another value of z to get the third so let’s do that. Here is that

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 925 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.4 : Partial Fractions

work.
1
z =−1: 4 = 36A A=
9

z =5 : 76 = 6C 26
⇒ B=
9
139
z =0 : 1 = 25A − 5B + C = − 5B 38
9 C=
3

The partial fraction form of the integrand is then,

1 26 38
3z 2 + 1 9 9 3
= + +
(z + 1) (z − 5)2 z + 1 z − 5 (z − 5)2

Step 4
We can now do the integral.
4 4 1 26 38
3z 2 + 1
Z Z
9 9 3
dz = + + dz
2 (z + 1) (z − 5)2 2 z+1 z−5 (z − 5)2
38
! 4
1 26
= ln |z + 1| + ln |z − 5| − 3
9 9 z−5
2

1 27 76
= ln (5) − ln (3) +
9 9 9

4x − 11
Z
6. Evaluate the integral dx.
x3 − 9x2

Step 1
To get the problem started off we need the form of the partial fraction decomposition of
the integrand. However, in order to get this, we’ll need to factor the denominator.
4x − 11 4x − 11
Z Z
3 2
dx = dx
x − 9x x2 (x − 9)

The form of the partial fraction decomposition for the integrand is then,
4x − 11 A B C
2
= + 2+
x (x − 9) x x x−9

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 926 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.4 : Partial Fractions

Step 2
Setting the numerators equal gives,

4x − 11 = Ax (x − 9) + B (x − 9) + C x2

Step 3
We can use the “trick” discussed in the notes to easily get two of the coefficients and
then we can just pick another value of x to get the third so let’s do that. Here is that
work.
25
x = 0 : −11 = − 9B A=−
81

x =9 : 25 = 81C 11
⇒ B=
9
767
x =1 : −7 = − 8A − 8B + C = −8A − 25
81 C=
81

The partial fraction form of the integrand is then,

4x − 11 − 25
81
11
9
25
81
= + +
x2 (x − 9) x x2 x − 9

Step 4
We can now do the integral.

4x − 11 − 25 11 25 11
Z Z
81 25 25
dx = + 92 + 81 dx = − ln |x| − 9 + ln |x − 9| + c
x2 (x − 9) x x x−9 81 x 81

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 927 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.4 : Partial Fractions

z 2 + 2z + 3
Z
7. Evaluate the integral dz.
(z − 6) (z 2 + 4)

Step 1
In this case the denominator is already factored and so we can go straight to the form
of the partial fraction decomposition for the integrand.

z 2 + 2z + 3 A Bz + C
2
= + 2
(z − 6) (z + 4) z−6 z +4

Step 2
Setting the numerators equal gives,

z 2 + 2z + 3 = A z 2 + 4 + (Bz + C) (z − 6) = (A + B) z 2 + (−6B + C) z + 4A − 6C

In this case the “trick” discussed in the notes won’t work all that well for us and so we’ll
have to resort to multiplying everything out and collecting like terms as shown above.

Step 3
Now, setting the coefficients equal gives the following system.
51
2
A=
z : A + B =1 40

11
z1 : −6B + C = 2 ⇒ B=−
40

z0 : 4A − 6C = 3 7
C=
20

The partial fraction form of the integrand is then,

51
z 2 + 2z + 3 40 − 11 7
40 z + 20
= +
(z − 6) (z 2 + 4) z−6 z2 + 4

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 928 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.4 : Partial Fractions

Step 4
We can now do the integral.
51
z 2 + 2z + 3 − 11 7
40 z + 20
Z Z
40
dz = + dz
(z − 6) (z 2 + 4) z−6 z2 + 4
Z 51
40 − 11 z 7
= + 2 40 + 2 20 dz
z−6 z +4 z +4

51 11 7 z 
= ln |z − 6| − ln z 2 + 4 + tan−1 +c
40 80 40 2

Note that the second integration needed the substitution u = z 2 + 4 while the third
needed the formula provided in the notes.

8 + t + 6t2 − 12t3
Z
8. Evaluate the integral dt.
(3t2 + 4) (t2 + 7)

Step 1
In this case the denominator is already factored and so we can go straight to the form
of the partial fraction decomposition for the integrand.

8 + t + 6t2 − 12t3 At + B Ct + D
2 2
= 2 + 2
(3t + 4) (t + 7) 3t + 4 t +7

Step 2
Setting the numerators equal gives,

8 + t + 6t2 − 12t3 = (At + B) t2 + 7 + (Ct + D) 3t2 + 4

= (A + 3C) t3 + (B + 3D) t2 + (7A + 4C) t + 7B + 4D

In this case the “trick” discussed in the notes won’t work all that well for us and so we’ll
have to resort to multiplying everything out and collecting like terms as shown above.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 929 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.4 : Partial Fractions

Step 3
Now, setting the coefficients equal gives the following system.

t3 : A + 3C = − 12 A=3
t2 : B + 3D = 6 B=0
1
⇒
t : 7A + 4C = 1 C = −5
t0 : 7B + 4D = 8 D=2

The partial fraction form of the integrand is then,

8 + t + 6t2 − 12t3 3t −5t + 2

2 2
= 2 + 2
(3t + 4) (t + 7) 3t + 4 t +7

Step 4
We can now do the integral.

8 + t + 6t2 − 12t3 −5t + 2

Z Z
3t
2 2
dt = 2
+ 2 dt
(3t + 4) (t + 7) 3t + 4 t +7
Z
3t 5t 2
= − + dt
3t2 + 4 t2 + 7 t2 + 7
 
1 5 2 t
= ln 3t2 + 4 − ln t2 + 7 + √ tan−1 √ +c
2 2 7 7

Note that the first and second integrations needed the substitutions u = 3t2 + 4 and
u = t2 + 7 respectively while the third needed the formula provided in the notes.

6x2 − 3x
Z
9. Evaluate the integral dx.
(x − 2) (x + 4)

Hint
Pay attention to the degree of the numerator and denominator!

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 930 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.4 : Partial Fractions

Step 1
Remember that we can only do partial fractions on a rational expression if the degree
of the numerator is less than the degree of the denominator. In this case both the nu-
merator and denominator are both degree 2. This can be easily seen if we multiply the
denominator out.
6x2 − 3x 6x2 − 3x
= 2
(x − 2) (x + 4) x + 2x − 8

So, the first step is to do long division (we’ll leave it up to you to check our Algebra skills
for the long division) to get,

6x2 − 3x 48 − 15x
=6+
(x − 2) (x + 4) (x − 2) (x + 4)

Step 2
Now we can do the partial fractions on the second term. Here is the form of the partial
fraction decomposition.
48 − 15x A B
= +
(x − 2) (x + 4) x−2 x+4

Setting the numerators equal gives,

48 − 15x = A (x + 4) + B (x − 2)

Step 3
The “trick” will work here easily enough so here is that work.

x = −4 : 108 = − 6B A=3
⇒
x=2: 18 = 6A B = −18

The partial fraction form of the second term is then,

48 − 15x 3 18
= −
(x − 2) (x + 4) x−2 x+4

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 931 –

 Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.4 : Partial Fractions

Step 4
We can now do the integral.

6x2 − 3x
Z Z
3 18
dx = 6 + − dx
(x − 2) (x + 4) x−2 x+4

= 6x + 3 ln |x − 2| − 18 ln |x + 4| + c

2 + w4
Z
10. Evaluate the integral dw.
w3 + 9w

Hint
Pay attention to the degree of the numerator and denominator!

Step 1
Remember that we can only do partial fractions on a rational expression if the degree
of the numerator is less than the degree of the denominator. In this case the degree of
the numerator is 4 and the degree of the denominator is 3.
So, the first step is to do long division (we’ll leave it up to you to check our Algebra skills
for the long division) to get,

2 + w4 2 − 9w2
= w +
w3 + 9w w (w2 + 9)

Step 2
Now we can do the partial fractions on the second term. Here is the form of the partial
fraction decomposition.
2 − 9w2 A Bw + C
= + 2
w (w2 + 9) w w +9

Setting the numerators equal gives,

2 − 9w2 = A w2 + 9 + w (Bw + C) = (A + B) w2 + Cw + 9A

In this case the “trick” discussed in the notes won’t work all that well for us and so we’ll
have to resort to multiplying everything out and collecting like terms as shown above.

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 932 –

Chapter 7 : Integration Techniques Section 7.4 : Partial Fractions

Step 3
Now, setting the coefficients equal gives the following system.
2
w2 : A+B =−9 A=
9

w1 : C =0 ⇒ 83
B=−
9

w0 : 9A = 2
C=0

The partial fraction form of the second term is then,

2 83
2 − 9w2 9 9 w
2
= − 2
w (w + 9) w w +9

Step 4
We can now do the integral.

2 83
2 + w4 9 w
Z Z
1 2 2 83
dw = w+ 9
− dw = w + ln |w| − ln w2 + 9 + c
w3 + 9w w 2
w +9 2 9 18

© Paul Dawkins Calculus - Practice Problems Solutions – 933 –