2.

5 Integration Techniques: Rationalizing Substitution

DR. MERLIZA F. LIBAO

February 6, 2025

DR. MERLIZA F. LIBAO 2.5 Integration Techniques: Rationalizing Substitution February 6, 2025 1/8
Introduction

Objective: Solve integrals involving radicals and exponential functions by

Note: This method transforms the integrand into a rational function,

DR. MERLIZA F. LIBAO 2.5 Integration Techniques: Rationalizing Substitution February 6, 2025 2/8
Key Idea: Rationalizing Substitution

When to Use:
√
If the integral contains radicals such as x or fractional exponents,
rationalizing substitution can simplify the expression.
If the denominator contains an expression like 1 + e x , substitution can
transform it into a rational function.
Common substitutions:
√ √
u = x 1/n (for expressions involving roots, such as x or 3
x),
n is the least common multiple of all roots
u = 1 + e x (for expressions like 1 + e x in the denominator)
√
√ x +a
u = x + a (for expressions like )
x

DR. MERLIZA F. LIBAO 2.5 Integration Techniques: Rationalizing Substitution February 6, 2025 3/8
 √
R x
Example 1: Solve √
1+ 3 x
dx
Step 1: Use Substitution
u = x 1/6 , x = u6, dx = 6u 5 du.
Step 2: Simplify the Integral
√
u3
Z Z
x
√ dx = · 6u 5 du
1+ 3x 1 + u2
6u 8 du
Z
= .
1 + u2
Using polynomial long division:
6u 8 6
2
= 6u 6 − 6u 4 + 6u 2 − 6 + .
1+u 1 + u2
Integrating term by term:
Z Z
6
6u 6 du = u 7 , −6u 4 du = − u 5 ,
5
Z Z
6u 2 du = 2u 3 , −6du = −6u.
DR. MERLIZA F. LIBAO 2.5 Integration Techniques: Rationalizing Substitution February 6, 2025 4/8
Completing Example 1

Final Steps:
Z
6
du = 6 tan−1 u.
1 + u2

Substituting back u = x 1/6 :

x 7/6 6 5/6
− x + 2x 3/6 − 6x 1/6 + 6 tan−1 (x 1/6 ) + C .
7 5

DR. MERLIZA F. LIBAO 2.5 Integration Techniques: Rationalizing Substitution February 6, 2025 5/8
 1
R
Example 2: Solve 1+e x dx
Step 1: Use Substitution
1
u = 1 + ex , ln(u − 1) = x, du = dx.
u−1
Step 2: Rewrite the Integral
Z Z
1 1 1
dx = du.
1 + ex uu−1
Using partial fractions:
1 1 1
= − .
u(u − 1) u−1 u
Step 3: Solve
Z  
1 1
− du = ln |u − 1| − ln |u| + C .
u−1 u
Substitute back u = 1 + e x :
ex
ln + C.
1 + ex
DR. MERLIZA F. LIBAO 2.5 Integration Techniques: Rationalizing Substitution February 6, 2025 6/8
 √
x+4
R
Example 3: Solve x dx
Step 1: Use Substitution
√ dx
u= x + 4, du = √ .
2 x +4
Step 2: Express in Terms of u

x = u 2 − 4, dx = 2udu.

Step 3: Rewrite the Integral

2u 2
Z Z
u
2udu = du.
u2 − 4 u2 − 4
Step 4: Solve Using Partial Fractions

2u 2 8
2
=2+ 2 .
u −4 u −4
Split and integrate accordingly.
DR. MERLIZA F. LIBAO 2.5 Integration Techniques: Rationalizing Substitution February 6, 2025 7/8
Exercises

Solve the following integrals using rationalizing substitution:

R x 1/4
4
1+x 1/5
dx
R x 1/3
5 √
x+x 1/6
dx
R √x+3
2x dx
6

DR. MERLIZA F. LIBAO 2.5 Integration Techniques: Rationalizing Substitution February 6, 2025 8/8