Roberto’s Notes on Integral Calculus

Chapter 2: Integration methods Section 10

Integration by inverse substitution

by using the secant function
What you need to know already: What you can learn here:
 How to use inverse trig substitution to  How to use inverse trig substitution to
integrate a function involving a a2  b2 x2 integrate a function involving a b2 x2  a2
form. form.

If we try the substitution bx  a sin  on the form b x  a we end up

2 2 2
3. If this works, change back to the original
with a negative under the root, which creates somewhat of a problem! We can avoid variable, by using other trigonometric identities
the problem by using the same method, but a different trig identity.
and/or the triangle model, as necessary.

Strategy for integrals that contain Same issues presented in the earlier note regarding domain and extended uses
apply here. All you need is practice, so here is an example.
b2 x2  a 2


For integrands involving a factor of this form: x2
Example: dx
1. Try the inverse substitution: x2  9

bx  a sec , bdx  a sec tan  d We try the substitution:

3
x  3sec  , dx  3sec  tan  d ,  cos 
2. Try to compute the new integral with suitable x
methods.
x
This time the relation is  sec  , so that x must represent the hypotenuse
3
Integral Calculus Chapter 2: Integration methods Section 10: Integration by inverse substitution by using secant Page 1
  
and 3 the adjacent side. This corresponds to the triangle representation 2 2
shown here.  dx  dx
x

3 x  4 x  4  4  15
2
 
3 x  4 x  4  12  15
2

 
2 2 1
x2  9  dx  dx
3  x  2   27  x  2 9
2 2
3

3 Now we make the inverse trig substitution:
x  2  3sec , dx  3sec tan  d
This leads to:

 
x2 9sec2  This changes our integral to:
dx  3sec  tan  d
 
2 3sec  tan  2 2
x 9 2
9sec   9
2
 d  sec d  ln sec  tan   c
3 9sec   9
2
3 3

 
9sec2 
 sec tan  d  9 sec3  d
tan  Finally we switch back to x:

 x  2 9
2
2 x2
We saw earlier that the last integral above is given by:  ln  c
  sec  tan   ln sec  tan    c
1 3 3 3
2
By using this and the triangle representation of the substitution, remembering
that secant is the reciprocal of cosine, we conclude that:
9 x  No other particular tricks to show you, so it is time for your integration
x2  9 x x2  9
   ln  c calisthenics!
2 3 3 3 3 
 


2
Example: dx
3 x 2  12 x  15
To find the general antiderivative of the given function, we first complete the
square:

 
2 2
dx  dx
3x  12 x  15
2

3 x  4 x  15
2


Integral Calculus Chapter 2: Integration methods Section 10: Integration by inverse substitution by using secant Page 2
 Summary
 To deal with integrands that contain a square root of the form b2 x 2  a 2 , we use the inverse substitution bx  a sec , bdx  a sec tan  d and hope that the
resulting integral can be computed.
 To return to the original variable, standard trigonometric identities and a suitable triangle model allow us to obtain an elegant formula for the integral.

Common errors to avoid

 Watch the algebra as you do the substitutions, both ways.
 Use the triangle model to return to the original variable, rather than constructing convoluted compositions of trig functions and their inverses.

Learning questions for Section I 2-10

Review questions:

1. Describe when and how to use the method of integration by inverse substitution by using the secant function.

Memory questions:

1. Which inverse substitution is used to integrate functions containing a factor of the form b2 x2  a2 ?

Integral Calculus Chapter 2: Integration methods Section 10: Integration by inverse substitution by using secant Page 3
 Computation questions:
Evaluate the integrals proposed in questions 1-6 by using a suitable inverse substitution.

    2x  4x 1
dx x dx
1. 3. dx 5. 3/2
x2  6 x x2  4x  1 2

 
x3 x2

2. dx 4. dx e x dx

6.
x2  9

3/2
x2  a2 2e2 x  4e x  1
3/2

What questions do you have for your instructor?

Integral Calculus Chapter 2: Integration methods Section 10: Integration by inverse substitution by using secant Page 4