Mathematics 22 Second Semester A.Y.

2020-2021
Trigonometric Substitution 11 March 2020

I. Trigonometric Substitution.
p p p
ˆ Useful with terms involving: a2 − u2 , a2 + u2 , u2 − a2 where
u : term with variable, a: constant.
Form involved Let u = New form
√ √
a2 − u2 a sin θ a − u2 = a cos θ
2
ˆ Transforms the given into a trigonometric integral. √ √
a2 + u2 a tan θ a2 + u2 = a sec θ
√ √
u2 − a2 a sec θ a2 − u2 = a tan θ
ˆ Steps:

1. Identify which of the three forms is involved. 3. Evaluate.

2. Perform the necessary substitution. 4. To identify values of other trigonometric func-
Compute du and make sure everything tions in the answer, refer to a SOH-CAH-TOA
will be in terms of θ. triangle (see sample solutions)

II. Exercises. Evaluate the following integrals

Z p Z
x5 1
Z
1. √ dx 10. 9x2 − 12x + 20 dx 18. √ dx
1 + x2 Z (1 − x) 1 − x2
Z
x3 dx √
2. √ dx 11. √ 3
x2
Z
2
x + 2x − 15 2
x2 − 49 Z √ 19. 3 dx
16 − e2x (1 − x2 ) 2
Z
4 0
3. √ dx 12. dx
2 2 ex
Z x 16 − x Z 3
x3
√
Z
dx 20. √ dx
4. 27x 9x − 1 dx 13. √ 3 0 x2 + 9
25 + x 2
√ √
16 − e2x
Z
6
Z √ x2 − 9
Z
5. dx 1 + x2 21. dx
ex 14. dx 3 x
Z
dx x
6. √ Z
3x Z 2
x 2 x2 − 16 3 p
Z 15. √ 3 dx 22. 4 − 9x2 dx
x 2x
3 +4 0
7. √ dx
x2 − 6x + 5 Z
2
Z 1p
x2 16. dx x − x2 dx
Z q 23.
8. √ dx (3 − 4x 2 − 4x)3 0
2x − x2
Z p Z p Z a p
9. 2x 1 − x dx4 17. x2 + 6x + 5 dx 24. x2 a2 − x2 dx
0

III. Solutions to some exercises.

x5 √ √
Z
1. √ dx. We got a 1 + x2 which is of the form a2 + u2 where a = 1 and u = x.
1 + x2
√ x5 tan5 θ
Z Z
2 2 2
Let x = tan θ, dx = sec θ dθ, a + u = sec θ. √ dx = · sec2 θ dθ
1 + x2 sec θ
sec5 θ 2 sec3 θ
Z Z Z
= tan θ sec θ dθ = (sec θ − 1) sec θ tan θ dθ = (v 2 − 1)2 dv =
5 2 2
− + sec θ + C
5 3
We need to bring back to x. To know the values of other trig functions, from x = tan θ, use a
S0H-CAH-TOA triangle.
x opp √
tan θ = x = = , opp = x, adj = 1, hyp = 1 + x2 (pythagorean theorem)
1 adj

1
 √
hyp 1 + x2 √
sec θ = = = 1 + x2
√ adj 1
1 + x2 x √ √
( 1 + x2 )5 2( 1 + x2 )3 p
θ Final answer: − + 1 + x2 + C
5 3
1

Actually, for this example, we need not use a S0H-CAH-TOA √ triangle as we already need
the value of sec θ for our final answer and we only know it to be 1 + x2 from the substitution. I just
wanted to show you how to use this for future examples which involves not-so-obvious trig functions
in
Z the answer.
√ √
4. 9x 9x − 1 dx. Form: u2 − a2 where u = 3x and a = 1.
√
Let 3x = sec θ, 3x ln 3 dx = sec θ tan θ dθ, 9x − 1 = tan θ
√ √
Z Z Z Z
x x x x x
1 x
9 9 − 1 dx = 3 3 9 − 1 dx = 3 (tan θ)(sec θ tan θ) dθ = (sec θ)(tan θ)(sec θ tan θ) dθ
ln 3
√
tan3 θ ( 9x − 1)3
Z Z
2 2 2
= sec θ tan θ dθ = v dθ (let v = tan θ) = +C = +C
3 3
Note: Always take care of dx first. Transform it into dθ before substituting the other terms.
Here, since 3x ln 3 dx = sec θ tan θ dθ, I needed a 3x factor which I got from the 9x . If I was not
careful enough, I might get too excited and immediately substituted 9x = sec2 θ (from 3x = sec θ).
This will stop me from changing from dx to dθ.
Z √
16 − e2x √
5. x
dx Form = a2 − u2 , u = ex , a = 4.
e
Let x x ex opp √
√ e = 4 sin θ, e dx = 4 cos θ dθ, sin θ = = , adj = 16 − e2x
16 − e2x = 4 cos θ 4 hyp
Z √
16 − e2x 16 − e2x ex
Z
dx = · x
ex ex e
4 ex
(since I need an ex for my dx)
θ
16 cos2 θ
Z Z
4 cos θ √
= · 4 cos θ dθ = dθ
e 2x (4 sin θ) 2 16 − e2x
Z 2
cos θ
Z
= dθ = cot2 θ dθ √
sin2 θ adj 16 − e2x
cot θ = =
Z opp ex
2
= csc θ − 1 dθ √ x
16 − e2x −1 e
= − cot θ − θ + C Final answer: − − sin +C
ex 4

Tip: The SOH-CAH-TOA triangle will always consist of u, a, and the involved form
√ √ √
(either a2 − u2 , a2 + u2 , or u2 − a2 ).
Z Z Z Z
x x x x
7. √ dx = √ dx = p dx = p dx
2
x − 6x + 5 2
x − 6x + 5 + 9 − 9 2
(x − 6x + 9) − 4 (x − 3)2 − 4
p
Let x − 3 = 2 sec θ, dx = 2 sec θ tan θ dθ, (x − 3)2 − 4 = 2 tan θ, x − 3 = 2 sec θ ⇒ x = 2 sec θ + 3
Z Z
2 sec θ + 3
= 2 sec θ tan θ dθ = 2 sec2 θ + 3 sec θ dθ = 2 tan θ + 3 ln | sec θ + tan θ|
2 tan θ
p x−3 p
= (x − 3)2 − 4 + 3 ln + (x − 3)2 − 4 + C
2
x2 x2 x2 x2
Z Z Z Z
8. √ dx = √ dx = p dx = p dx
2x − x2 2x − x2 − 1 + 1 −(x2 − 2x + 1) + 1 1 − (x − 1)2
p
Let x − 1 = sin θ, dx = cos θ dθ, 1 − (x − 1)2 = cos θ

2
 (sin θ + 1)2
Z Z
1 1
= cos θ dθ = sin2 θ + 2 sin θ + 1 dθ = θ − sin 2θ − 2 cos θ + θ + C
cos θ 2 4
3 1 3 1
= θ− sin θ cos θ−2 cos θ+C = sin−1 (x − 1) − (x − 1)( 1 − (x − 1)2 ) − 2 1 − (x − 1)2 + C
p p
2 2 2 2
Z Z Z
2 2 2
16. q dx = √ dx = p dx
3 3 − 4x 2 − 4x + 1 − 1 4 − (2x + 1) 2
2
(3 − 4x − 4x)
p
Let 2x + 1 = 2 sin θ, 2 dx = 2 cos θ dθ, 4 − (2x + 1)2 = 2 cos θ.
Z
2 cos θ 2x + 1
= dθ = θ + C = sin−1 +C
2 cos θ 2
Z 3
x3
20. √ dx.
0 x2 + 9
x3 √
Z
First solve √ dx. Let x = 3 tan θ, dx = 3 sec2 θ dθ, x2 + 9 = 3 sec θ
2
x +9
Z
27 tan θ3 Z Z
= 3 sec2 θ dθ = 27 tan3 θ sec θ dθ = 27(sec2 θ − 1) sec θ tan θ dθ = 9 sec3 θ − 27θ + C
3 sec θ
√
( x2 + 9)3 x
= − 27 tan−1 + C
3 3
√ 3
2 3 √ √
 
( x + 9) −1 x 27π 27π
Final answer: − 27 tan = 18 2 − − (9 − 0) = 18 2 − −9
3 3 4 4
0