SU P P LEM EN TA R Y D ISC U SSION

Euler Substitution and Ostrogradsky’s Integration Method

Prepared by: Keith Lester A. Mallorca, Faculty, Mathematics Department

These techniques are used along the u-substitution to evaluate integrals by expressing them to
simpler and easily integrated forms.

a. Euler’s Substitution
Suppose you are to evaluate the integral

∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥

where f is a function defined below

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑅 (𝑥, √𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐)

where a > 0 and R is defined as a rational function of x and √𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐. A common

technique used to evaluate such integral is the Euler substitution, i.e. expressing

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑅1 (𝑡)

and take
∫ 𝑓(𝑥)𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝑅1 (𝑡)𝑑𝑡 (Eq. 1)

where 𝑅1 is a rational function in terms of t. Here, we let

√𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = √𝑎𝑥 + 𝑡 (Eq. 2)

Moreover, same as the regular substitution, you need to find x in terms of t using Eq.2 and
use the resulting expression to find dx in terms of dt. Then, simply substitute to f(x) the
equivalent expressions for x and dx to evaluate the integral in the RHS of Eq.1.

Furthermore, we use the same process when we perform the substitution

√𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 𝑥𝑡 + √𝑐 (Eq. 3)

for cases where c > 0.

1
Example: Evaluate x x 2  4x  4
dx

Here, a = 1, b = 4 and c = –4, We use the substitution indicated in Eq.2 since

a > 0.
Thus, √𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 4 = √1𝑥 + 𝑡
=𝑥+𝑡

Squaring both sides, we get

√𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 4 = 𝑥 + 𝑡
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 4 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑡 + 𝑡 2

Solving for x in the previous equation, we obtain

𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 4 = 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑡 + 𝑡 2
4𝑥 − 4 = 2𝑥𝑡 + 𝑡 2
4𝑥 − 2𝑥𝑡 = 𝑡 2 + 4
𝑥(4 − 2𝑡) = 𝑡 2 + 4
𝑡2 + 4
𝑥=
4 − 2𝑡

The above, when taken its derivative, implies that (use quotient rule for the RHS)

−2𝑡 2 + 8𝑡 + 8
𝑑𝑥 = 𝑑𝑡
(4 − 2𝑡)2

Now substituting expressions for x and dx to the original integral, we have

1 1
∫ 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝑑𝑥
𝑥√𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 4 𝑥(𝑥 + 𝑡)
1 −2𝑡 2 + 8𝑡 + 8
=∫ 2 ( 𝑑𝑡)
𝑡 + 4 𝑡2 + 4 (4 − 2𝑡)2
( )( + 𝑡)
4 − 2𝑡 4 − 2𝑡
1 −2𝑡 2 + 8𝑡 + 8
=∫ 2 ( 𝑑𝑡)
𝑡 + 4 𝑡 2 + 4 + 4𝑡 − 2𝑡 2 (4 − 2𝑡)2
( )( )
4 − 2𝑡 4 − 2𝑡
1 −2𝑡 2 + 8𝑡 + 8
=∫ 2 ( 𝑑𝑡)
𝑡 + 4 −𝑡 2 + 4𝑡 + 4 (4 − 2𝑡)2
( )( )
4 − 2𝑡 4 − 2𝑡
1 −2𝑡 2 + 8𝑡 + 8
=∫ ( 𝑑𝑡)
(𝑡 2 + 4)(−𝑡 2 + 4𝑡 + 4) (4 − 2𝑡)2
( )
(4 − 2𝑡)2 )
(4 − 2𝑡)2 2(−𝑡 2 + 4𝑡 + 4)
= ∫( 2 ) ( 𝑑𝑡)
(𝑡 + 4)(−𝑡 2 + 4𝑡 + 4) (4 − 2𝑡)2
2
=∫ 2 𝑑𝑡
𝑡 +4
1
= 2∫ 2 𝑑𝑡
𝑡 +4
1 𝑡
= 2 ( tan−1 ) + 𝐶
2 2
−1
𝑡
= tan +𝐶
2
 Since √𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 4 = 𝑥 + 𝑡, then 𝑡 = √𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 4 − 𝑥.
Thus, the final integral takes the form

√𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 4 − 𝑥
= tan−1 + 𝐶.
2

b. Ostrogradsky Integration Method

Consider the proper rational function
𝑃(𝑥)
𝑓(𝑥) =
𝑄(𝑥)

To evaluate its integral, we express it as stated below

𝑃(𝑥) 𝑃1 (𝑥) 𝑃2 (𝑥)

∫ 𝑑𝑥 = +∫ 𝑑𝑥 𝐸𝑞. 1
𝑄(𝑥) 𝑄1 (𝑥) 𝑄2 (𝑥)

where 𝑄1 (𝑥) is the greatest common factor of 𝑄(𝑥) and 𝑄 ′ (𝑥)

𝑄(𝑥)
𝑄2 (𝑥) =
𝑄1 (𝑥)
𝑃1 (𝑥) is an unknown polynomial of degree at most one less than the degree of 𝑄1 , and
𝑃2 (𝑥) is an unknown polynomial of degree at most one less than the degree of 𝑄2 .

To find, 𝑃1 and 𝑃2 , we perform the following

1. differentiate all terms in Eq.1, which gives us

𝑑 𝑃(𝑥) 𝑑 𝑃1 (𝑥) 𝑑 𝑃2 (𝑥)

∫ 𝑑𝑥 = ( )+ ∫ 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥 𝑄(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 𝑄1 (𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 𝑄2 (𝑥)
𝑃(𝑥) 𝑑 𝑃1 (𝑥) 𝑃2 (𝑥)
⇒ = ( )+ 𝐸𝑞. 2
𝑄(𝑥) 𝑑𝑥 𝑄1 (𝑥) 𝑄2 (𝑥)

2. then, use Eq.2 to find the coefficients of 𝑃1 and 𝑃2 by employing the same concept as
partial fraction decomposition.

4 x 3  3x 2  2
Example: Evaluate  x 3

1
2
dx

Solution: To use the Ostrogradsky Method, we identify first P(x) and Q(x).
In this example, 𝑃(𝑥) = 4𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 2 and 𝑄(𝑥) = (𝑥 3 + 1)2 .

These give us the following:

  𝑄 ′ (𝑥) = 2(𝑥 3 + 1)(3𝑥 2 ) = 6𝑥 2 (𝑥 3 + 1)
*chain rule for differentiation

 𝑄1 (𝑥) = 𝑔𝑐𝑓(𝑄(𝑥), 𝑄′(𝑥)) = 𝑥 3 + 1

*recall GCF of polynomial expressions; where
𝑄(𝑥) = (𝑥 3 + 1)2 = (𝑥 3 + 1)(𝑥 3 + 1) and
𝑄 ′ (𝑥) = 6𝑥 2 (𝑥 3 + 1)

2
𝑄(𝑥) (𝑥 3 +1)
 𝑄2 (𝑥) = = = 𝑥3 + 1
𝑄1 (𝑥) 𝑥 3 +1

To find 𝑃1 (𝑥) and 𝑃2 (𝑥);

Since, 𝑄1 (𝑥) is degree 3, 𝑃1 (𝑥) would be assumed degree 2 or quadratic.
Thus, let 𝑃1 (𝑥) = 𝐴𝑥 2 + 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶.

Also, since 𝑄2 (𝑥) is degree 3, 𝑃2 (𝑥) would be assumed degree 2 or quadratic.

Thus, let 𝑃2 (𝑥) = 𝐷𝑥 2 + 𝐸𝑥 + 𝐹.

By Ostrogradsky Method, we have

𝑃(𝑥) 𝑃1 (𝑥) 𝑃2 (𝑥)
∫ 𝑑𝑥 = +∫ 𝑑𝑥
𝑄(𝑥) 𝑄1 (𝑥) 𝑄2 (𝑥)

4𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 2 𝐴𝑥 2 + 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶 𝐷𝑥 2 + 𝐸𝑥 + 𝐹
∫ 𝑑𝑥 = + ∫ 𝑑𝑥
(𝑥 3 + 1)2 𝑥3 + 1 𝑥3 + 1

Differentiating both sides;

𝑑 4𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 2 𝑑 𝐴𝑥 2 + 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶 𝑑 𝐷𝑥 2 + 𝐸𝑥 + 𝐹
∫ 𝑑𝑥 = ( ) + ∫ 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥 (𝑥 3 + 1)2 𝑑𝑥 𝑥3 + 1 𝑑𝑥 𝑥3 + 1

𝑑 𝐴𝑥 2 +𝐵𝑥+𝐶
Apply quotient rule to ( 3 );
𝑑𝑥 𝑥 +1

4𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 2 (𝑥 3 + 1)(2𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵) − (𝐴𝑥 2 + 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶)(3𝑥 2 ) 𝐷𝑥 2 + 𝐸𝑥 + 𝐹

=[ ]+
(𝑥 3 + 1)2 (𝑥 3 + 1)2 𝑥3 + 1
3 2 4 3 4 3 2
4𝑥 − 3𝑥 − 2 2𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑥 + 2𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵 − 3𝐴𝑥 − 3𝐵𝑥 − 3𝐶𝑥 𝐷𝑥 2 + 𝐸𝑥 + 𝐹
= [ ] +
(𝑥 3 + 1)2 (𝑥 3 + 1)2 𝑥3 + 1
3 2 4 3 2 2
4𝑥 − 3𝑥 − 2 −𝐴𝑥 − 2𝐵𝑥 − 3𝐶𝑥 + 2𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵 𝐷𝑥 + 𝐸𝑥 + 𝐹
3 2 =[ 3 2 ]+
(𝑥 + 1) (𝑥 + 1) 𝑥3 + 1

Multiply all terms by the LCD, which is (𝑥 3 + 1)2

4𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 2 = −𝐴𝑥 4 − 2𝐵𝑥 3 − 3𝐶𝑥 2 + 2𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵 + (𝐷𝑥 2 + 𝐸𝑥 + 𝐹)(𝑥 3 + 1)

4𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 2 = −𝐴𝑥 4 − 2𝐵𝑥 3 − 3𝐶𝑥 2 + 2𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵 + 𝐷𝑥 5 + 𝐸𝑥 4 + 𝐹𝑥 3 + 𝐷𝑥 2 + 𝐸𝑥 + 𝐹
Group similar terms

4𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 2 = 𝐷𝑥 5 + (−𝐴 + 𝐸)𝑥 4 + (−2𝐵 + 𝐹)𝑥 3 + (−3𝐶 + 𝐷)𝑥 2 + (2𝐴 + 𝐸)𝑥 + (𝐵 + 𝐹)

Compare coefficients of LHS and RHS similar to partial fraction

𝑥5: 0=𝐷 Eq.1 𝑥2 : − 3 = −3𝐶 + 𝐷 Eq.4

𝑥4: 0 = −𝐴 + 𝐸 Eq.2 𝑥: 0 = 2𝐴 + 𝐸 Eq.5
𝑥3: 4 = −2𝐵 + 𝐹 Eq.3 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡: −2= 𝐵+𝐹 Eq.6

From Eq.1, 𝐷 = 0
Using Eq.4, −3 = −3𝐶 + 𝐷, substituting 𝐷 = 0, we get 𝐶 = 1
Using Eq.2, 0 = −𝐴 + 𝐸 which implies 𝐴 = 𝐸
Substituting 𝐴 as 𝐸 in Eq.5, we get 0 = 2(𝐸) + 𝐸 which implies 𝐸 = 0
Since 𝐴 = 𝐸, then 𝐴 = 0
Using Eq.6, −2 = 𝐵 + 𝐹 which implies that 𝐹 = −2 − 𝐵
Substituting 𝐹 as −2 − 𝐵 in Eq.3, we get 4 = −2𝐵 + (−2 − 𝐵) which implies that 𝐵 = −2
Since 𝐵 = −2, this gives us the value of 𝐹 = 0

Therefore, 𝐴 = 𝐷 = 𝐸 = 𝐹 = 0, 𝐵 = −2, and 𝐶 = 1

With these, the equation in the Ostrogradsky Method becomes

4𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 2 𝐴𝑥 2 + 𝐵𝑥 + 𝐶 𝐷𝑥 2 + 𝐸𝑥 + 𝐹
∫ 𝑑𝑥 = + ∫ 𝑑𝑥
(𝑥 3 + 1)2 𝑥3 + 1 𝑥3 + 1
4𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 2 −2𝑥 + 1 0
∫ 3 2 𝑑𝑥 = 3 +∫ 3 𝑑𝑥
(𝑥 + 1) 𝑥 +1 𝑥 +1
−2𝑥 + 1
= 3
𝑥 +1

Therefore, by Ostrogradsky Method of Integration,

4𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 2 −2𝑥 + 1
∫ 𝑑𝑥 = +𝐶
(𝑥 3 + 1)2 𝑥3 + 1