Integration by Trigonometric Substitution

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Sharp Tutor Wed, Jan 19, 2022 07:43 PM UTC

In this section, we will learn about: The various types of trigonometric substitutions.

1. 7
TECHNIQUES OF INTEGRATION

2. TECHNIQUES OF INTEGRATION
7.3
Trigonometric Substitution
In this section, we will learn about:
The various types of trigonometric substitutions.

3. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION
In finding the area of a circle or an ellipse,
2 2
an integral of the form  a  x dx arises,
where a > 0.
2 2
 If it were x a 2  x 2 dx , the substitution u
 a  x
would be effective.
 However, as it stands,
 a 2  x 2 dx is more difficult.

4. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION
If we change the variable from x to θ by
the substitution x = a sin θ, the identity
1 – sin2θ = cos2θ lets us lose the root sign.
 This is because: a 2  x 2  a 2  a 2 sin 2 
 a 2 (1  sin 2  )
2 2
 a cos 
a cos 

5. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION
Notice the difference between the substitution
u = a2 – x2 and the substitution x = a sin θ.
 In the first, the new variable is a function of
the old one.
 In the second, the old variable is a function of
the new one.

6. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION
In general, we can make a substitution
of the form x = g(t)
by using the Substitution Rule in reverse.
 To make our calculations simpler, we assume g
has an inverse function, that is, g is one-to-one.

7. INVERSE SUBSTITUTION
Here, if we replace u by x and x by t in the
Substitution Rule (Equation 4 in Section 5.5),
we obtain:
f ( x)dx f ( g (t )) g '(t )dt
 This kind of substitution is called
inverse substitution.

8. INVERSE SUBSTITUTION
We can make the inverse substitution
x = a sin θ, provided that it defines
a one-to-one function.
 This can be accomplished by restricting θ
to lie in the interval [-π/2, π/2].

9. TABLE OF TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTIONS
Here, we list trigonometric substitutions that
are effective for the given radical expressions
because of the specified trigonometric

10. TABLE OF TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTIONS
In each case, the restriction on θ is
imposed to ensure that the function that
defines the substitution is one-to-one.
 These are the same intervals used in Section 1.6
in defining the inverse functions.

11. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 1
2
Evaluate 9 x
 2
dx
x
 Let x = 3 sin θ, where –π/2 ≤ θ ≤ π/2.
 Then, dx = 3 cos θ dθ and
9  x 2  9  9sin 2   9 cos 2  3 cos  3cos 
 Note that cos θ ≥ 0 because –π/2 ≤ θ ≤ π/2.)

12. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 1
Thus, the Inverse Substitution Rule
gives: 9 x2
3cos 
 2
dx  2
3cos  d
x 9sin 
2
cos 
  2 d
sin 
cot 2 d
2
(csc   1) d
 cot     C

13. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 1
As this is an indefinite integral, we must
return to the original variable x.
This can be done in either of two ways.

14. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 1
One, we can use trigonometric
identities to express cot θ in terms
of sin θ = x/3.

15. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 1
Two, we can draw a diagram, where
θ is interpreted as an angle of a right

16. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 1
Since sin θ = x/3, we label the opposite
side and the hypotenuse as having lengths
x and 3.

17. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 1
Then, the Pythagorean Theorem gives
the length of the adjacent side as:
2
9 x

18. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 1
So, we can simply read the value of cot θ
from the figure: 9 x 2
cot  
x
 Although θ > 0 here,
this expression
for cot θ is
valid even
when θ < 0.

19. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 1
As sin θ = x/3, we have θ = sin-1(x/3).
2 2
9 x 9 x 1 x 
 2
dx  2
 sin    C
x x  3

20. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 2
Find the area enclosed by
the ellipse x2
y 2
2
 2 1
a b

21. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 2
Solving the equation of the ellipse for y,
we get
2 2 2 2
y x a  x
2
1  2  2
b a a
or b 2 2
y  a  x
a

22. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 2
As the ellipse is symmetric with respect
to both axes, the total area A is four times
the area in the first quadrant.

23. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 2
The part of the ellipse in the first quadrant
is given by the function
b 2 2
y a  x 0  x a
a
 Hence,
ab 2
1
4 A  a  x 2 dx
0 a

24. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 2
To evaluate this integral,
we substitute x = a sin θ.
Then, dx = a cos θ dθ.

25. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 2
To change the limits of integration,
we note that:
 When x = 0, sin θ = 0; so θ = 0
 When x = a, sin θ = 1; so θ = π/2

26. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 2
Also, since 0 ≤ θ ≤ π/2,
2 2 2 2 2
a  x  a  a sin 
2 2
 a cos 
a cos 
a cos 

27. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 2
b a 2 2
Therefore, A 4  a  x dx
a 0
b  /2
4  a cos  a cos  d
a 0
 /2
4ab  cos 2  d
0
 /2
4ab  1
2 (1  cos 2 ) d
0
 /2
2ab[  sin 2 ]
1
2 0
 
2ab   0  0   ab
2 

28. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 2
We have shown that the area of an ellipse
with semiaxes a and b is πab.
 In particular, taking a = b = r, we have proved
the famous formula that the area of a circle with
radius r is πr2.

29. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Note
The integral in Example 2 was a definite
So, we changed the limits of integration,
and did not have to convert back to
the original variable x.

30. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 3
1
Find x dx
2 2
x 4
 Let x = 2 tan θ, –π/2 < θ < π/2.
 Then, dx = 2 sec2 θ dθ and x 2  4  4(tan 2   1)
 4sec 2 
2 sec 
2sec 

31. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 3
 Thus, we have:
2
dx 2sec  d
x  2
2 2
x 4 4 tan  2sec 
1 sec 
  2 d
4 tan 

32. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 3
To evaluate this trigonometric integral,
we put everything in terms of sin θ and
cos θ:
2
sec  1 cos  cos 
2
  2  2
tan  cos  sin  sin 

33. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 3zz
Therefore, making the substitution u = sin θ,
we have: dx 1 cos 
x   2 d
2
x 2  4 4 sin 
1 du
 2
4 u
1 1
    C
4 u
1 csc 
  C  C
4sin  4

34. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 3
We use
the figure to
determine that:
2
csc   x  4 / x
dx x2  4
 Hence,
x  C
2 2
x 4 4x

35. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 4
x
Find  dx
2
x 4
 It would be possible to use the trigonometric
substitution x = 2 tan θ (as in Example 3).

36. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 4
 However, the direct substitution u = x2 + 4
is simpler.
 This is because, then, du = 2x dx
and
x 1 du
 dx  
2
x 4 2 u
 u C
2
 x 4 C

37. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Note
Example 4 illustrates the fact that, even
when trigonometric substitutions are possible,
they may not give the easiest solution.
 You should look for a simpler method first.

38. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 5
Evaluate dx
 2
x a 2
where a > 0.

39. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION E. g. 5—Solution 1
We let x = a sec θ, where 0 < θ < π/2 or
π < θ < π/2.
Then, dx = a sec θ tan θ dθ and
2 2 2 2
x  a  a (sec   1)
2 2
 a tan 
a tan  a tan 

40. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION E. g. 5—Solution 1
dx a sec  tan 
  d
2
x a 2 a tan 
sec  d
ln sec   tan   C

41. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION E. g. 5—Solution 1
The triangle in the figure gives:
2 2
tan   x  a / a

42. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION E. g. 5—Solution 1
So, we have:
2 2
dx x x a
 ln  C
2
x a 2 a a
2 2
ln x  x  a  ln a  C

43. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION E. g. 5—Sol. 1 (For. 1)
Writing C1 = C – ln a, we have:
dx 2 2
 ln x  x  a  C1
2 2
x a

44. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION E. g. 5—Solution 2
For x > 0, the hyperbolic substitution
x = a cosh t can also be used.
 Using the identity cosh2y – sinh2y = 1,
we have:
x 2  a 2  a 2 (cosh 2 t  1)
2 2
 a sinh t
a sinh t

45. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION E. g. 5—Solution 2
Since dx = a sinh t dt,
we obtain:
dx a sinh t dt
 
2
x a 2 a sinh t
dt
t  C

46. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION E. g. 5—Sol. 2 (For. 2)
Since cosh t = x/a, we have t = cosh-1(x/a)
dx  x
1
 cosh    C
2
x a 2
a

47. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION E. g. 5—Sol. 2 (For. 2)
Although Formulas 1 and 2 look quite
different, they are actually equivalent by
Formula 4 in Section 3.11

48. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Note
As Example 5 illustrates, hyperbolic
substitutions can be used instead of
trigonometric substitutions, and sometimes
they lead to simpler answers.
 However, we usually use trigonometric substitutions,
because trigonometric identities are more familiar
than hyperbolic identities.

49. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 6
3
3 3/2 x
 2 3/ 2
dx
0 (4 x  9)
 First, we note that (4 x 2  9)3/ 2 ( 4 x 2  9)3
 So, trigonometric substitution is appropriate.

50. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 6
2
4 x  9 is not quite one of the
expressions in the table of trigonometric
 However, it becomes one if we make
the preliminary substitution u = 2x.

51. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 6
When we combine this with the tangent
substitution, we have x  32 tan .
2
This gives dx  sec  d and
3
2
2 2
4 x  9  9 tan   9
3sec 

52. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 6
When x = 0, tan θ = 0; so θ = 0.
When x = 3 3 / 2, tan θ = 3; so θ = π/3.

53. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 6
3 3/2
3
x  / 3 27
8 tan 3  3 2
 2 3/ 2
dx  3 2 sec  d
0 (4 x  9) 0 27 sec 
3
 /3tan 
3
16  d
0 sec 
3
 / 3 sin 
163  2
d
0 cos 
2
 / 3 1  cos 
163  2
sin  d
0 cos 

54. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 6
Now, we substitute u = cos θ so that
du = - sin θ dθ.
 When θ = 0, u = 1.
 When θ = π/3, u = ½.

55. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 6
3
3 3/2 x
Therefore, dx
0 2
(4 x  9) 3/ 2
2
1/ 2 1 u
 3
16 1  2
du
u
1/ 2
 3
16 1  (1  u  2 ) du
1/ 2
 1
 u  
3
16
 u 1
163   12  2   (1 1)   323

56. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 7
x
Evaluate  3  2x  x dx
2
 We can transform the integrand into a function
for which trigonometric substitution is appropriate,
by first completing the square under the root sign:
3  2 x  x 2 3  ( x 2  2 x)
3  1  ( x 2  2 x  1)
4  ( x  1) 2

57. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 7
This suggests we make the substitution
u = x + 1.
 Then, du = dx and x = u – 1.
x u 1
 So,
 3  2x  x dx  du
2
4  u2

58. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 7
We now substitute u 2sin  .
This gives
2
du 2 cos  d and 4  u 2 cos 

59. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION Example 7
So,  x 2sin   1
dx  2 cos  d
3  2 x  x2 2 cos 
(2sin   1) d
 2 cos     C
2 u
1
 4  u  sin    C
 2
2  1  x 1 
 3  2 x  x  sin   C
 2 

60. TRIGONOMETRIC SUBSTITUTION
The figure shows the graphs of the integrand
in Example 7 and its indefinite integral (with
C = 0).
 Which is which?

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