UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

3.2. Integration by Substitution

There are integrals that can be evaluated by replacing the variable of integration, say x, by a
function of a new variable, say z, in order to transform the integrand into a form readily
integrable by a fundamental integration formula. This integration method is called integration
by substitution. The substitution to be made can be determined by inspection of the
integrand. No general rules can be given. The success of evaluating the integral by
substitution method depends on the experience and ingenuity of the solver.

3.2.1. Algebraic Substitution

In this type of substitution, we usually involve replacement of a radical expression by a new

variable. A change in the variable of integration often reduces an integrand to an easier
integrable form. It must be remembered that it is not only x, but dx as well, must be replaced
by the proper expression in terms of the new variable.

( )
Example 8. ∫
√

Solution: Let √

( )

( )

Therefore, in terms of the new variable of integration,

( ) * ( )( ) +( )
∫ ∫
√

∫[ ( ) ]( )

∫( )

* +

However, √
( )
∫ [ √( ) √ ]
√

Integral Calculus Module 9 – Integration by Substitution Page 90

UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

√ [ ( ) ]

√ [ ]

√ [ ]

√ ( )

Example 9. Evaluate ∫
√

Solution: Let √

Raise to 3 both sides of the above equation to get the equivalent expression for .
( )
Take the logarithm of both sides of the above equation to arrive at the equation defining x in
terms of the new variable z.

(( )) *** Recall: and

(( ))
( )

( )

Make all the necessary substitutions on the given integrand.

( ) * +
∫
√

∫ ( )

∫( )

( )

( )

√ [ (√ ) (√ ) ]

Integral Calculus Module 9 – Integration by Substitution Page 91

UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

√ [ ( ) ( ) ]

( ) ( )
√ * +

√ * +

√ ( )

Example 10. Evaluate ∫ √

Solution: Let √

( )

( )

Therefore, ∫ √ ∫ * ( )+ ( ) ( )

∫ ( )

∫( )

* +

* +

[ ]

But, √

∫ √ (√ ) [ (√ ) ]

( )√ [ ( ) ]

( )√ [ ]

( )√ [ ]

Integral Calculus Module 9 – Integration by Substitution Page 92

UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

( )
( )√ * +

( )√ [ ]

Example 11. Evaluate ∫

√

Solution: Let √

Substitute the above expressions into the given integrand.

( )
∫ √
∫

∫ ∫( )

( )

( )

To evaluate, two methods will be presented.

Method 1. Express back the obtained integral shown above equation in term of x.

∫ ( )
√

*√ [ (√ ) ]+

( )[ ( ) ] ( )[ ( ) ]

( ) ( )

Integral Calculus Module 9 – Integration by Substitution Page 93

UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

Method 2. Solve for the value of that corresponds to the given values of
√
When √
√

∫ ( )
√

( )( ) ( )( )

( ) ( )

Example 12. Evaluate ∫ ( ) ⁄

.

Solution: Let √

Make the needed substitutions.

∫ ⁄
∫
( ) ( )

Method 1. Express the obtained integral back in terms of x.

∫ ⁄
[ ]
( ) √

Integral Calculus Module 9 – Integration by Substitution Page 94

UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

[ ]
√
√
* +
√

(√ )
√
Method 2. Find the corresponding value of for each given value of
When
√

Thus, ∫ ( ) ⁄
* +
√

√
* +
√

( √ )
√

(√ )
√

Integral Calculus Module 9 – Integration by Substitution Page 95

UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

SAQ14

NAME: ____________________________________________________ SCORE: ______________

SECTION: ___________DATE: _______________ PROF: __________________________________

Evaluate the given integrals below using the algebraic substitution method.

∫
( )√

( )
∫
√

√
∫

Integral Calculus Module 9 – Integration by Substitution Page 96

UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

∫ √

∫√

∫
√

Integral Calculus Module 9 – Integration by Substitution Page 97

UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

∫
√

∫
√

9. ∫ √ √

Integral Calculus Module 9 – Integration by Substitution Page 98

UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

3.2.2. Trigonometric Substitution

This type of substitution replaces the variable of integration with a trigonometric function. It
usually finds its use when the integrand contains one of the following forms:
The following substitutions may be used:
(1). When the integrand contains , let . This will reduce to
(2). When the integrand contains , let . This will reduce to
(3). When the integrand contains , let . This will reduce to

Example 13. Evaluate ∫ .

√

Solution: In the presence of expression of the form , where we let

.
Thus,

√ √ √ ( ) √

Substitute the expressions above on the given integrand. Thus,

∫ √
∫ ( )

∫ ∫

There is a need to express the final integral in terms of the original variable x. To do it, recall
that
From the Figure at the right,
√

√
Thus, ∫
√

Example 14. Evaluate ∫ ( ) ⁄

.

Solution: There exists expression of the form wher and

Let

Integral Calculus Module 9 – Integration by Substitution Page 99

UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

√ √ √ ( ) √
Substitute the expressions above on the given integrand.

∫ ⁄
∫
( ) ( )

∫ ∫

Method 1. Express the final integral in terms of the original variable

From the Figure at the right,

∫ ⁄
[ ]
( ) √

[ ( )]
√ √

[ ]
√ √
√

Method 2. Solve for the value of corresponding to each value of

Use:

When ( )

( )

⁄
Hence, ∫ ( ) ⁄
[ ] ⁄

[ ( )]
√ √

( )
√ √
√

Integral Calculus Module 9 – Integration by Substitution Page 100

UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

Example 15. Evaluate ∫ .

√

Solution: The technique is to complete the square in variable x of the radicand whenever
there appears on the integrand expression of any of the following forms:
√
√
 √
Thus, √ √ ( ) √ ( ) .
The radicand is now of the form where
Let:

Likewise, √ √ ( ) √ √
( ) ( )
Therefore, ∫ ∫
√

∫( ) ∫( )

∫ [( ) ( )]

∫( )

( ) ( )

But,

( )

From the Figure at the right,

√

Hence, ( )(√ )

Thus, ∫√ ( ) √ ( )( )√

( ) √ [ ( )]

( ) √ [ ]

Integral Calculus Module 9 – Integration by Substitution Page 101

UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

( ) ( )√

Example 16. Evaluate ∫ .

√

Solution: Complete the square in x. √ √ √( ) .

The radicand is now of the form where
Let:

( )

Furthermore, √ √( ) √( )

√ ( ) √

Therefore, ∫ ∫ ( )( )
∫ ( )
√

( )
∫ ( )
 ∫

∫* +

∫[ ]

∫[ ]

∫[ ( ) ]

( )
* +

[ ]

Integral Calculus Module 9 – Integration by Substitution Page 102

UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

( )

But,

( )

From the Figure at the right,

√

Thus, ∫ * +
√ √ √

[ ]
√

[ ] [ ]
√ √ √

√
√

Integral Calculus Module 9 – Integration by Substitution Page 103

UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

SAQ15

NAME: ____________________________________________________ SCORE: ______________

SECTION: ___________DATE: _______________ PROF: __________________________________

Evaluate the following integrals using trigonometric substitution method.

∫
√

⁄
∫ ( )

∫
( )√

Integral Calculus Module 9 – Integration by Substitution Page 104

UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

∫ ⁄
( )
⁄√

∫ √

∫
√

Integral Calculus Module 9 – Integration by Substitution Page 105

UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

7. ∫ √

8. ∫
√

9. ∫ √

Integral Calculus Module 9 – Integration by Substitution Page 106

UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

3.2.3. Half-Angle Substitution (Weierstrass Substitution)

If an integrand is a rational function of trigonometric functions of angle , this can be

transformed by using the substitution . To obtain the formula for and in

terms of the new variable we use the trigonometric identity on double an angle. That is,

Let ( )

= * +

But,

Therefore,

Complete the parts of the right triangle below whose one acute angle is u and with

It follows from the triangle at the right that

𝟐𝒛 𝟏 𝒛𝟐
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒖 and 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝒖
𝟏 𝒛𝟐 𝟏 𝒛𝟐

And because

( )

( )

𝟐𝐝𝐳
𝐝𝐮
𝟏 𝐳𝟐

The boxed equations are useful tools in expressing an integrand in x as a function of the new
variable z.

Integral Calculus Module 9 – Integration by Substitution Page 107

UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

Example 17. Evaluate ∫ .

Solution: Let , where the angle u is x.

Substitute the above expressions on the given integrand.

∫ ∫
( ) ( )

Complete the square in variable ( )

( )

*( ) +

Therefore, ∫ ∫
( )

[ ]
( )

The above integration is made possible using Formula ∫ .

But, .

Finally, ∫

⁄
Example 18. Evaluate ∫ .

Solution: Let , where and

Substitute the above expressions on the given integrand.

Integral Calculus Module 9 – Integration by Substitution Page 108

UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

⁄
∫ ∫

∫
( )

When

Use Formula ∫

⁄ ⁄
Thus, ∫ *( )+
√ √

* ( ) +
√

* +
√

√
√

Integral Calculus Module 9 – Integration by Substitution Page 109

UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

SAQ16

NAME: ____________________________________________________ SCORE: ______________

SECTION: ___________DATE: _______________ PROF: __________________________________

Find the given integrals using the half-angle substitution method.

Integral Calculus Module 9 – Integration by Substitution Page 110

UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

⁄
∫

Integral Calculus Module 9 – Integration by Substitution Page 111

UNIT 3 – INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES

ANSWERS TO SAQ14
√
1.

2. √ ( )

4. √ √ √
√
5. √ ( )

6.

7. ( )
√
8.

9.

ANSWERS TO SAQ15
1. ( )√

2. ( ) ( )√
√
3.

4. ( √ )

5.

6. (√ )
√
7.

8.

9.
ANSWERS TO SAQ16

1. (√ )
√

2. ( ) | |

3. | |

4.

5. √ ( )

Integral Calculus Module 9 – Integration by Substitution Page 112