Engineering Mathematics II: Integration by Substitution Chapter 3

Chapter 3 : Integration by Substitution

Objectives :
1. Find integrals by means of an appropriate substitution

3.1 Differential of a Function

Look at the following integrals:

∫ 3x
2
• ( x3 + 1)8 dx
2
⌠ 3x − 1
•  3 dx
⌡ x −x
x2
• ∫ xe dx

These integrals might look complicated, but they can be integrated using the technique of
“Integration by Substitution”.

Integration by substitution enables us to reduce a given integral to one with which we are familiar.
The technique is very powerful and covers a great range of problems. Unfortunately, it is not
possible to give a general rule for choosing the required substitution, but this will come with
experience gained through practice.

The differential of y = f (x) is defined as

dy
dy
= ⋅ dx or dy f ′( x) ⋅ dx
=
dx

Example 1: Find the differential of the following functions:

(a) y = 4 x 2 + 3x − 7 (b) u = 3sin 4t
Solution:
dy
(a) =
dx

The differential of y is

du
(b) =
dt

The differential of u is

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Engineering Mathematics II: Integration by Substitution Chapter 3

n
3.2 Integration by substitution of the form ∫ [ f ( x)] ⋅ f '( x) dx
We notice that one function of the product is the differential coefficient of the other function. We
can solve the problem by a substitution which leads the integral to one of the standard integrals.

du
Let u = f ( x) , then = f '( x) . Expressing in differential form: du = f '( x)dx
dx
n u n +1
∫  f ( x ) ⋅ f ' ( x ) dx =∫u =
n
du + C , where n ≠ −1 (Standard Integral)
n +1
n +1
n  f ( x ) 
Hence ∫ 
 f ( x )  ⋅ f ' ( x ) dx = + C where n ≠ −1
n +1

or u n +1
∫u=
n
du +C where n ≠ −1
n +1

1 2
∫(x ) ( )
2 5 6
Example 2: + 3 2 x dx Ans : x +3 +C
6
Choose substitution: Let u =

Find differential: du =

∫(x )
2 5
Substitute x by u completely: + 3 2 x dx =

(Integrate, then substitute x back)

1
( )
3/2
Example 3: ∫ 3x 1 − 2 x 2 dx Ans : −
2
1 − 2x2 +C

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Engineering Mathematics II: Integration by Substitution Chapter 3

1 x
( )
4
∫ (e + 1) e dx
x 3 x
Example 4: Ans : e +1 + C
4
Solution

n
Integration by substitution of the form ∫ [ f ( x)] ⋅ f '( x) dx can be summarised by the
following example.

∫ 6 x ( 2 x − 3) dx :
7
2 3
To find

Recommended Procedure In this example:

Step 1 Choose u as some expression that

appears in the integrand. u 2 x3 − 3
Let =
(This may require some trial and error
to find the correct expression for u)

Step 2 du du
Find and = 6x2
dx dx
obtain the differential of u. or du = 6 x 2 dx
Step 3 Substitute the values of u and du into
( )
7
∫ 6 x ⋅ 2 x − 3 dx
2 3
the original integral.

∫ ( 2 x − 3)
7
3
= ⋅ 6 x 2 dx

= ∫ u 7 du
Step 4 Integrate w.r.t. u u8
(Using standard formulae) = + C
8
Step 5 Write the answer in terms of x
( 2x )
8
3
−3
= +C
8

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Engineering Mathematics II: Integration by Substitution Chapter 3

⌠ f '( x)
3.3 Integration by substitution of the form  dx
⌡ f ( x )

Let’s look at an integral in which the numerator is the differential of the denominator.
Let u = f ( x)
then du = f '( x) dx
⌠ f '( x) ⌠ 1
 = dx 

=du ln u + C (Standard Integral)

⌡ f ( x) ⌡ u
⌠ f '( x)
i.e.  = dx ln f ( x) + C

⌡ f ( x)

2
⌠ 3x − 1
Example 5: Find  3 dx Ans: ln x3 − x + C
⌡ x −x
Solution:

2
⌠ 2x 2
Example 6:  3 dx Ans : ln | x3 − 4 | +C
⌡ x −4 3

2x
⌠ e 1
Example 7:  2x dx Ans : ln | e 2 x + 1| +C
⌡ e +1 2

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Engineering Mathematics II: Integration by Substitution Chapter 3

f ( x)
3.4 Integration by substitution of the form ∫ e ⋅ f '( x) dx

Let u = f ( x) , then du = f '( x) dx

∫e
f ( x)
f '( x) dx= ∫ eu du= eu + C (Standard Integral)

∫e
f ( x)
i.e. ) dx e f ( x ) + C
f '( x=

∫ 3x e
2 x3 3
Example 8: dx Ans : e x + C

3.5 Other Substitutions by Inspection

Some integrals do not fit in any of the types previously studied. Other substitutions are then
needed.

2 2
∫ (t ) ( t − 1) 2 + ( t − 1) 2 + C
5 3
Example 9: t − 1 dt Ans :
5 3

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Engineering Mathematics II: Integration by Substitution Chapter 3

3.6 Integration By Substitution & The Definite Integral

When evaluating a definite integral involving substitution (i.e. change of variable from x to u), it is
necessary to change the limits for x to the corresponding values of u.

2 x2
Example 10: Evaluate ∫0 x e dx Ans: 26.80
Solution:

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Engineering Mathematics II: Integration by Substitution Chapter 3

Tutorial 3
1. Find the following integrals, by using the given substitutions.

( )
5
(a) ∫ 2 x x + 1 dx , let =
2
u x2 + 1
dx
(b) ⌠
 , let u = ln x
⌡ x ln x
(c) ∫ esin 2 x cos 2 x dx , let u = sin 2 x

⌠ sec
(d) 
2
x ( )
dx , let u = x
⌡ x

2. Find the following integrals, by using the suitable substitutions.

x
( ) (c) ⌠
4 2
(a) ⌠ x x 2 − 3 dx (b) ∫ t e3−2t dt  dx
⌡ ⌡ 1 − 2x2
⌠ x ⌠ 5e 2 x
(d)  2 2
dx (e) ∫ sin 2 θ cos θ dθ (f)  dx
⌡ (4 − x ) ⌡ 1 − e2 x
x +1 1
(g) ∫ t 3 sin t 4 dt *(h) ⌠
 dx *(i) ⌠
 dx
⌡ x+2 ⌡ x+x

3. Evaluate the following definite integrals.

1 2 1 4
⌠ 2 1 ⌠ e t 4x
(a)  y − y 2 dy (b)  2 dt (c) ⌠
 dx
⌡0 4 ⌡1 t ⌡0 2x +1

4. A 1.25F capacitor, that has an initial voltage of 25.0V, is charged with a current that varies
with time according to the equation
= i t t 2 + 6.83 . The formula for the voltage across a
1
capacitor is Vc = ∫ i dt volts .
C
(a) Show that the general equation of the voltage across the capacitor is given by
3
Vc= 0.267 t + 6.83 ( 2
) 2 + k , where k is a constant
(b) Find the value of k .
(c) Hence, find the voltage across the capacitor at 1.00s.

5. If a circular disk of radius r carries a uniform electrical charge, then the electric potential on
the axis of the disk at a point a from its centre is given by the equation
r
⌠ x
V = k dx
⌡0 x 2 + a 2
where k is a constant depending on the charge density. Integrate to find V as a function of
r and a.

1 2
6. Find the root-mean-square (rms) value of i = t 2 e −t A from t = 1s to t = 2s.

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Engineering Mathematics II: Integration by Substitution Chapter 3

Miscellaneous Exercises

1. Find the results of the integrals.

∫ sin x dx (Hint: use sin 2 x = 1 − cos 2 x and let u = cos x )

3
*(a)

⌠ 3 dx
∫ ( 27e )
9x 1/3
*(b) + e12 x dx *(c) 
⌡ x ln x

*(d) ∫x 4 − x dx (Hint: let u= 4 − x and represent x in term of u )

∫e ∫ tan
2x 3
*(e) 1 + 4e x dx *(f) x dx

∫ sec ∫ tan
6 3
*(g) t dt *(h) x sec x dx

*(i) ∫ sin
2
x cos 4 x dx *(j) ∫ cos
4
2 x sin 3 2 x dx

*(k) ∫ sin
3
θ cos3θ dθ

2. Integrate the following:

⌠ x3 3
*(a) 
⌡ 1 − x2
dx *(b) ∫ x ( 2 x − 5) dx

dx
*(c) ∫t
3
1 − t 2 dt *(d) ⌠

⌡ 3+ x + 2

⌠ 2x +1 ⌠ x3 − 4
*(e)  6
dx *(f)  dx
⌡ ( x − 3) ⌡ x

π
cos 2 x
*3. Evaluate ⌠
4
 dx .
⌡0 1 + sin 2 2 x

⌠ 1
*4. By using the substitution x = tan θ , or otherwise, find  dx .

( )
2 2
⌡ 1+ x

2
*5. By using the substitution t − 1 =sin θ , or otherwise, find ∫ 1 − ( t − 1) dt .

Multiple Choice Questions

⌠ x−2
1. To find the integral  dx by substitution method, we should let
⌡ x2 − 4x + 1
(a) u= x − 2 (b) u = x2 − 4 x + 1
(c) u 2x − 4
= (d) u=x

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Engineering Mathematics II: Integration by Substitution Chapter 3

2. Which of the following integrals cannot be found using the substitution method?
(a) ⌠ 1 dx (b) ⌠ x dx
 2 
⌡ 1+ x ⌡ 1 + x2

∫x e ∫ 4cos x sin x dx
2 x3 2
(c) dx (d)

3. To find ∫x x 2 + 1 dx ,
(a) let u = x (b) let u = x

(c) let u= x + 1 (d) u x2 + 1

let =

Answers

( x 2 + 1)6
1. (a) +C (b) ln ln x + C
6
1
(c) esin 2 x + C (d) 2 tan x + C
2
1 2 1 1
( )
5
(c) − ln 1 − 2 x 2 + C
2
2. (a) x −3 +C (b) − e3− 2 t + C
10 4 4
1 1
(d) +C (e) sin 3 θ + C (f) − 5 1 − e 2 x + C
2(4 − x 2 ) 3
1
(g) − cos t 4 + C
4
2
(h) ( x + 2 ) 2 − 2 ( x + 2 ) 2 + C
3
3 1
( )
(i) 2 ln 1 + x + C
3. (a) 1/24 (b) 1.07 (c) 13.33
4. (b) 20.2 V (c) 26.0V
5. =
V k ( r 2 + a2 − a )
6. 0.18 A

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Engineering Mathematics II: Integration by Substitution Chapter 3

Miscellaneous Exercises
4
cos3 x 1
1. (a) − cos x +
3
+C (b)
4
(
27 + e3 x 3 + C ) (c) 3ln ln x + C
2 5 8 3 1 5 1 3
(d) ( 4 − x ) 2 − ( 4 − x ) 2 + C (e) (1 + 4e x ) 2 − (1 + 4e x ) 2 + C
5 3 40 24
1 1 2
(f) tan 2 x + ln cos x + C (g) tan 5 t + tan 3 t + tan t + C
2 5 3
1 x sin 4 x sin 3 2 x
(h) sec3 x − sec x + C (i) − + +C
3 16 64 48
1 1 1 1
(j) − cos5 2 x + cos 7 2 x + C (k) cos 6 θ − cos 4 θ + C
10 14 6 4
1 4 1
or sin θ − sin 6 θ + C
4 6

3 1
1
2. (a)
3
( ) (
1 − x2 2 − 1 − x2 2 + C )
1 5 1
(b) ( 2 x − 5)5 + ( 2 x − 5)4 + C or ( 2 x − 5)4 (8 x + 5) + C1
20 16 80
5 3
1 1
( ) (
(c) 1 − t 2 2 − 1 − t 2 2 + C
5 3
)
( ) ( )
(d) 2 3 + x + 2 − 6 ln 3 + x + 2 + C or 2 x + 2 − 6 ln 3 + x + 2 + C1 ( )
−1 7 1 − 5x
(e) ( x − 3)−4 − ( x − 3)−5 + C or 5
+ C1
2 5 10 ( x − 3)
1
2 3 4 x3 − 4
(f)
3
( )
x − 4 2 − tan −1
3 2
+C

π 1  −1 x 
3. 4.  tan x + +C
8 2 1 + x 2 
1  −1
sin ( t − 1) + ( t − 1) 1 − ( t − 1)  + C
2
5.
2  

MCQ
1. (b) 2. (a) 3. (d)

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