# Math Help - Integration problem....don't want answer just need missing steps

1. ## Integration problem....don't want answer just need missing steps

∫ (x+4)/(x^2+8x)

This is what I have so far:
∫ (x+4)/ x(x+8)
ln (x) *(∫(x+4)-∫ (x+8))
And this is where I am getting confused.

2. Originally Posted by operaphantom2003

∫ (x+4)/(x^2+8x)

This is what I have so far:
∫ (x+4)/ x(x+8)
ln (x) *(∫(x+4)-∫ (x+8))
And this is where I am getting confused.
hi operaphantom2003,

instead, take $u=x^2+8x$

since, differentiating this gives the numerator.

$\frac{du}{dx}=2x+8=2(x+4)\ \Rightarrow\ \frac{du}{2}=(x+4)dx$

Now you only need solve the integral

$\frac{1}{2}\int{\frac{du}{u}}$

3. Now I'm more confused. Thanks for trying.

4. You should study the technique of using substitutions in integration.

That was the point of giving you that problem,
to see if you could recognise the connection between numerator and denominator.

When one is the derivative of the other, or a multiple of that derivative,
you can then write the integral in a simple form.