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Lecture 5 - Trigonometric Substitution 1

Lecture 5 introduces Trigonometric Substitution as a technique for integrating functions involving terms like x² + a², x² - a², or a² - x². It describes three cases for substitution: x = a sin θ, x = a tan θ, and x = a sec θ, each transforming the integral into a trigonometric form. The lecture includes examples and practice problems to illustrate the application of these substitutions.

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Lecture 5 - Trigonometric Substitution 1

Lecture 5 introduces Trigonometric Substitution as a technique for integrating functions involving terms like x² + a², x² - a², or a² - x². It describes three cases for substitution: x = a sin θ, x = a tan θ, and x = a sec θ, each transforming the integral into a trigonometric form. The lecture includes examples and practice problems to illustrate the application of these substitutions.

Uploaded by

poooooooooop
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lecture 5 - Trigonometric Substitution 1

In the past two lectures we learned how to integrate functions involving trigono-
metric functions. With this knowledge we can learn a new technique of inte-
gration called Trigonometric Substitution (or Trig. Sub. for short). This
technique is useful when we have terms like x2 + a2, x2 − a2, or a2 − x2 in our
integral, where a is a constant. Each of these three cases is handled slightly
differently:

Case 1: a2 − x2. Make the substitution x = a sin θ to turn our integral into
a trigonometric integral in terms of θ. The idea behind this substitution is to
use the Pythagorean Identity 1 − sin2 θ = cos2 θ. Then
a2 − x2 = a2 − a2 sin2 θ = a2 cos2 θ.
Don’t forget to include dx = a cos θ dθ in your new integral!
Z
1
Example 1: Compute √ dx using the substitution x = sin(θ).
x2 1 − x2
After integrating, convert your answer to be in terms of the original variable x
using a triangle.

MAC 2312 L5 - 1
x2
Z
Practice 1: Repeat the process of Example 1 on the integral √ dx.
1 − x2
(Hint: The identity sin(2θ) = 2 sin θ cos θ might be useful.)

Case 2: x2 + a2 (or a2 + x2). Make the substitution x = a tan θ so we can


use the Pythagorean Identity tan2 θ + 1 = sec2 θ. Then
x2 + a2 = a2 tan2 θ + a2 = a2 sec2 θ.
Once again, don’t forget to include dx = a sec2 θ dθ in your new integral.

MAC 2312 L5 - 2
Z
1
Example 2: √ dt
2
t +4

Z √
1 + x2
Example 3: dx
x

MAC 2312 L5 - 3
Case 3: x2 − a2. Make the substitution x = a sec θ so we can use the identity
sec2 θ − 1 = tan2 θ. Then
x2 − a2 = a2 sec2 θ − a2 = a2 tan2 θ.
The differential is dx = a sec θ tan θ dθ.
Z
1
Example 4: dx
(9x2 − 1)3/2

Note: The following integral appears often enough to make it worth memo-
rizing: Z
dx 1 x
= arctan + C.
a2 + x2 a a
Extra Problems:
Z
dx 1 −1 2
• √ (solution: sec (8x ) + C)
x 64x4 − 1 2

y3 1  (1 − 16y 2)3/2 p
Z 
• p dy (solution: 2
− 1 − 16y + C)
1 − 16y 2 256 3

e3x
Z
• dx (solution: ex − arctan(ex) + C)
1 + e2x

MAC 2312 L5 - 4

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