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TOPIC 3

Integration by Substitution
Some integrals cannot be evaluated readily by direct application of the standard
integration formulas. The technique for evaluating such integrals leans heavily on what is known as the
method of substitution. This method involves a change of variable, say from x to another variable u. The
purpose of substituting a new variable is to bring the problem to a form for which a standard formula can be
applied. This integration by substitution is justified by the so called Chain Rule for integration which we shall
briefly state below.

Let F (u) be a function whose derivative is f (u), that is, ������F (u) = f (u). If u is a differentiable function of x,
say u = h(x) then

∫ ��(��)���� = ∫ �� [��(��)]��′(��) ���� ������. ��

Let us now prove the equation above. We are given that

����(��)

���� = ��(��)
Then

����(��) = ��(��)����

Integrating both sides

∫ ����(��) = ∫ ��(��)����

Also since �� = ℎ(��)

��ℎ��������

���� = ℎ′(��)
By the Chain Rule for Differentiation

����(��)

���� =����(��)
���� ∙����
����
����(��)

���� = �� [ℎ(��)]ℎ (��)
����(��) = �� [ℎ(��)]ℎ′(��)

∫ ����(��) = ∫ �� [ℎ(��)]ℎ′(��)
∫ ��(��)���� = ∫ �� [��(��)]��′(��)

Integral Calculus | Instructor: Engr. Novel Keith T. Solis 1

EXAMPLES:
Example 1. Evaluate ∫(���� + ��)�� ����

Let u = 3x+4 then du = 3dx or 1/3 du = dx

Then the given integral becomes

1
∫(3�� + 4)2 = ∫ ��2∙ 3����
1
∫(3�� + 4)2 = 3∫ ��2 ����
1
∫(3�� + 4)2 = 3∙��33+ ��

∫(���� + ��)�� =(���� + ��)��

��+ ��
Since u = 3x+4

We may write the solution above without explicitly expressing it in terms of the new
variable u. Of course, we will start by letting u = 3x+4 and getting du=3dx. We notice
that the given integral does not have “3”preceding dx. But then this factor 3 can
be written preceding dx provided that we “neutralize” it by factor 1/3 which we
write before the integral sign. Thus, our new solution will appear in the following
manner:

1
∫(3�� + 4)2���� = 3∫(3�� + 4)2 3����

1
∫(3�� + 4)2���� = 3(3�� + 4)3

3+ ��

∫(3�� + 4)2���� =(3�� + 4)3

9+ ��

Note that the integral 13∫(3�� + 4)2 3���� takes the form 13∫ ��2 ���� and
hence can be evaluated by Formula 4. If by way of idle curiosity, we were to assign
a meaning to the number 1/3 before the integral sign, we might call it “neutralizing
factor” or “nf” for short. Note that this “nf” is the reciprocal of the number which we
wish to introduce after the integral sign preceding dx. With this new idea, our
solution above can be shortened further. Thus knowing that nf=1/3, we might
integrate the given integral right away. Thus

Integral Calculus | Instructor: Engr. Novel Keith T. Solis 2

1
∫(3�� + 4)2���� = 3(3�� + 4)3

3+ ��

∫(3�� + 4)2���� =(3�� + 4)3

9+ ��
Our third solution is relatively shorter than the first two. After little practice, you will
find that this kind of solution can be carried out mentally and with minimum effort.
The following examples will further illustrate the method.

Example 2. Evaluate ∫(���� − ��)���� ����

Let u = ��2 − 1 then du = 2xdx hence nf = ½

dx = du/2x

SOLUTION:

∫(��2 − 1)4�� ���� = ∫ ��4∙ �� ∙����


2��

����
∫(��2 − 1)4�� ���� = ∫ ��4∙ 2
1
∫(��2 − 1)4�� ���� = 2∫ ��4∙ ����
1
∫(��2 − 1)4�� ���� = 2����55+ ��
1
∫(��2 − 1)4�� ���� = 2(��2 − 1)5

5+ ��

∫(��2 − 1)4�� ���� =(��2 − 1)5

10 + ��

Example 3. Evaluate ∫ ������������ ���������� ����

Let u =sin 4x then du = 4cos4x dx hence nf = ¼


1
∫ ������54�� ������4�� ���� = 4������64��

6+ ��

∫ ������54�� ������4�� ���� =������64��

24 + ��

Integral Calculus | Instructor: Engr. Novel Keith T. Solis 3

Example 4. Evaluate ∫(������ + ��)√������ + ������


Solution:

Perhaps to a beginner, this problem may appear quite difficult. It seems not easy to
recognize which expression should be equate to u. This time we need a little “trick”.
To do the trick, all we need are simple algebraic manipulations. Thus

∫(4��3 + ��)√4��2 + 1���� = ∫ �� ( 4��2 + 1)(4��2 + 1)1/2����

∫(4��3 + ��)√4��2 + 1���� = ∫(4��2 + 1)3/2 �� ����

Let u = 4��2 + 1 nf = 1/8

1
∫(4��3 + ��)√4��2 + 1���� = 8(4��2 + 1)5/2

5/2+ ��

∫(4��3 + ��)√4��2 + 1���� =(4��2 + 1)5/2

20 + ��

Consider this time the problem of evaluating the integral of the rotational fraction

��(��)
��(��)

Where the degree of f(x) ≥ degree of g(x). To evaluate this, we must first carry out
the indicated division until the remainder is of lower degree than the denominator.
That is,

��(��)= ��(��) +��(��)


��(��)
��(��)

Where Q(x) = quotient


R(X) = remainder of lower degree than g(x)

Therefore we have

∫��(��)

��(��)= ∫ [��(��) +��(��)


��(��)] ����

∫��(��)
��(��)= ∫ [��(��) + ∫��(��)
��(��)] ����

Integral Calculus | Instructor: Engr. Novel Keith T. Solis 4

Example 5. Evaluate ∫������−����+��


��−������

SOLUTION:

Here f(x) = 2��2 − 6�� + 4 and g(x) = �� − 3. Carrying out the indicated division, we
get

2��2 − 6�� + 4

�� − 3= 2�� +4
�� − 3

Where Q(x) = 2x and R(x) = 4

Therefore,

2
∫2�� − 6�� + 4
�� − 3���� = ∫ 2�� ���� + ∫4
�� − 3����
2
∫2�� − 6�� + 4

�� − 3���� = 2 ∫ �� ���� + 4 ∫����


�� − 3
2
∫2�� − 6�� + 4
��
�� − 3���� = �� + �� ����|�� − ��| + ��

Integral Calculus | Instructor: Engr. Novel Keith T. Solis 5

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