# Thread: Integration of a tricky formula

1. ## Integration of a tricky formula

Can anyone help me solve this?

Integral of √(4+x^2) / x^5 dx? Thanks.

2. Originally Posted by nbluo
Can anyone help me solve this?

Integral of √(4+x^2) / x^5 dx? Thanks.
This one's tricky. It requires both a trigonometric substitution and a $u$ substitution.

First, use the substitution $x = 2\tan{\theta}$, which means $dx = 2\sec^2{\theta}\,d\theta$.

Putting this into the integral...

$\int{\frac{\sqrt{4 + x^2}}{x^5}\,dx} = \int{\frac{\sqrt{4 + (2\tan{\theta})^2}}{(2\tan{\theta})^5}\cdot 2\sec^2{\theta}\,d\theta}$

$= \int{\frac{2\sec^2{\theta}\sqrt{4(1 + \tan^2{\theta})}}{32\tan^5{\theta}}\,d\theta}$

$= \int{\frac{2\sec^2{\theta}\sqrt{4\sec^2{\theta}}}{ 32\tan^5{\theta}}\,d\theta}$

$= \int{\frac{4\sec^4{\theta}}{32\tan^5{\theta}}\,d\t heta}$

$= \frac{1}{8}\int{\frac{\sec^4{\theta}}{\tan^5{\thet a}}\,d\theta}$

$= \frac{1}{8}\int{\frac{\cos{\theta}}{\sin^5{\theta} }\,d\theta}$.

Now we can use a $u$ substitution.

Let $u = \sin{\theta}$ so that $du = \cos{\theta}\,d\theta$.

So the integral becomes

$\frac{1}{8}\int{u^{-5}\,du}$

$= -\frac{1}{32}u^{-4} + C$

$= -\frac{1}{32}\sin^{-4}{\theta} + C$

Now, since $1 + \cot^2{\theta} = \csc^2{\theta}$, we have

$1 + \frac{1}{\tan^2{\theta}} = \sin^{-2}{\theta}$

$\left(1 + \frac{1}{\tan^2{\theta}}\right)^2 = \sin^{-4}{\theta}$.

Also remember that $x = 2\tan{\theta}$, so $\tan{\theta} = \frac{x}{2}$.

Thus $\sin^{-4}{\theta} = \left(1 + \frac{4}{x^2}\right)^2$.

So finally, the answer to the original integral is...

$-\frac{1}{32}\left(1 + \frac{4}{x^2}\right)^2 + C$.

3. Sorry Prove it, I think you don't solve this pro yet, since when you calculate the square root of 4 sec^2(theta), you got 2 sec(theta). Thanks either.

4. Originally Posted by nbluo
Sorry Prove it, I think you don't solve this pro yet, since when you calculate the square root of 4 sec^2(theta), you got 2 sec(theta). Thanks either.

Ah yes, damn.

Will edit post if I can solve it...

5. Originally Posted by nbluo
Can anyone help me solve this?

Integral of √(4+x^2) / x^5 dx? Thanks.
put $x=\frac1t$ and your integral becomes $-\int{t^{2}\sqrt{4t^{2}+1}\,dt},$ now integrate by parts.