How to Solve the Definite Integral of 1/(1 + x^2) using Trigonometric Substitution

∫ 1/(1+x^2) dx

The integral you provided is an example of a definite integral

The integral you provided is an example of a definite integral. It involves an algebraic expression with a variable and involves finding the area under a curve. In this case, we have the integral of 1 divided by the quantity 1 plus x squared, with respect to the variable x.

To solve this integral, we can use a technique called trigonometric substitution. First, let’s rewrite our integral as:
∫ dx / (1 + x^2)

Now, let’s substitute x = tanθ. This substitution involves using the trigonometric function tangent.

When we substitute x = tanθ, our integral becomes:
∫ sec^2θ dθ / (1 + tan^2θ)

Using the trigonometric identity: 1 + tan^2θ = sec^2θ, we can simplify the expression further:
∫ dθ / sec^2θ

Using another trigonometric identity: sec^2θ = 1 / cos^2θ, we can simplify it even more:
∫ cos^2θ dθ

Now, we have an integral involving cosine squared, which can be solved using the power-reducing formula. The power-reducing formula states that:
cos^2θ = (1 + cos2θ) / 2

Applying this formula to our integral, we get:
∫ ((1 + cos2θ) / 2) dθ

Using linearity of integration, we can split this into two separate integrals:
(1/2) ∫ (1 + cos2θ) dθ

Now, integrating each term separately:
(1/2) ∫ dθ + (1/2) ∫ cos2θ dθ

The integral of dθ is simply θ. For the second integral, we can use a substitution. Let’s substitute u = 2θ, then du = 2dθ:
(1/2) ∫ dθ + (1/2) ∫ cos(u) (1/2) du

Simplifying further:
(1/2) θ + (1/4) ∫ cos(u) du

Now, integrating cos(u) gives us sin(u):
(1/2) θ + (1/4) sin(u)

Substituting back u = 2θ:
(1/2) θ + (1/4) sin(2θ)

Finally, we have our integral in terms of θ. However, we want to express it in terms of x, which was our original variable of integration. To do that, recall that x = tanθ. Using trigonometric identities, we can express θ in terms of x:
θ = arctan(x)

Therefore, our solution becomes:
(1/2) arctan(x) + (1/4) sin(2 arctan(x))

And that is the final answer to the integral:
∫ 1/(1+x^2) dx = (1/2) arctan(x) + (1/4) sin(2 arctan(x)) + C, where C is the constant of integration.

More Answers:

[next_post_link]

Share:

Recent Posts

Mathematics in Cancer Treatment

How Mathematics is Transforming Cancer Treatment Mathematics plays an increasingly vital role in the fight against cancer mesothelioma. From optimizing drug delivery systems to personalizing

Read More »