4.

Techniques of Integration
(MAT060 - Calculus with Analytic Geometry I)

RAYLEE J. GASPARIN, PhD

Mathematics Department
Mindanao State University Main Campus
Marawi City
gasparin.raylee@msumain.edu.ph

December 14, 2021

4.3 Integration by Trigonometric Substitution

We use Trigonometric substitution if the integrand contains any of the

following expressions:
p
a2 − x2 ,
p
a2 + x2 ,
p
x2 − a2 .
 √
Case 1: Integrand contains a2 − x2
Let x = a sin θ. Then this gives
x p
θ = arcsin and a2 − x2 = a cos θ.
a
The right triangle which can be used to solve the other trigonometric
functions is given below: (Note: θ should be indicated.)


a  x

 θ

√
a2 − x2
 √
Case 2: Integrand contains a2 + x2
Let x = a tan θ. Then this gives
x p
θ = arctan and a2 + x2 = a sec θ.
a
The right triangle which can be used to solve the other trigonometric
functions is given below: (Note: θ should be indicated.)
√ 
a2 + x 2
 x


θ
a
 √
Case 3: Integrand contains x2 − a2
Let x = a sec θ. Then this gives
x p
θ = arcsec and x2 − a2 = a tan θ.
a
The right triangle which can be used to solve the other trigonometric
functions is given below: (Note: θ should be indicated.)

√


x  x2 − a2

 
θ
a
 Z √
25 − x2
Example 26.1 Evaluate dx.
x2

Solution: Rewriting the integrand we have

Z √ Z √
25 − x2 52 − x 2
dx = dx.
x2 x2
Let x = 5 sin θ then dx = 5 cos θ dθ. Then
p q
2
q √
25 − x = 25 − (5 sin θ) = 25(1 − sin2 θ) = 5 cosθ = 5 cos θ.
2

By Trigonometric Substitution, we obtain

Z √ Z √ 2
25 − x2 5 − x2
Z
5 cos θ
2
dx = 2
dx = (5 cos θdθ).
x x (5 sin θ)2
 √ x
Another way of solving 25 − x2 , from x = 5 sin θ, we have sin θ = . Using
5
the right triangle-based denition of the sine function which is
opposite side
sin θ = and using the Pythagorean Theorem, we have the
hypotenuse
following triangle.


5  x

 θ

√
25 − x2
 √
adjacent 25 − x2
From the above triangle, we see that cos θ = = .
√ hypotenuse 5
Therefore, we have 25 − x2 = 5 cos θ.

Z √ Z √ 2
25 − x2 5 − x2
Thus, dx = dx
x2 Z x2
5 cos θ
= (5 cos θdθ)
(5 sin θ)2
 25 cos2 θdθ
Z
= 2
Z 25 sinθ2
cos θ
= dθ
Z sin θ
= cot2 θdθ
Z
= (csc2 θ − 1)dθ
Z √
25 − x2
dx = − cot θ − θ + C .
x2
Finally, from the right triangle above,
√
adjacent side 25 − x2
cot θ = = .
hypotenuse x
Hence, we have
Z √
25 − x2
dx = − cot θ − θ + C
x2
√
25 − x2 x
=− − arcsin + C.
x 5
 Z √
3 − 4x2
Example 26.2 Evaluate dx.
x
Z √
3 − 4x2
Solution: Rewriting dx as
x
q√
Z √ ( 3)2 − (2x)2
3 − 4x2
Z
dx = dx.
x x
√ √
√ 3 3
Let 2x = 3 sin θ. Then x = sin θ. So, dx = cos θdθ.
2 2
 √ q√ q √
Also, 3− 4x2 = ( 3)2 − (2x)2 = 3 − ( 3 sin θ)2
=
p
2
√ − sin θ)
√ 3(1
= √3 cos θ
2

= 3 cos θ.
Thus, q√
Z √ ( 3)2 − (2x)2
3 − 4x2
Z
dx = dx
x √ x √ 
Z 3 cos θ 23 cos θdθ
= √
3
Z √ 2 sin θ
3 cos2 θdθ
=
Z √ sin θ 2
3(1 − sin θ)dθ
=
sin θ
Z √
3 − 4x2 √
Z
dx = 3 (csc θ − sin θ)dθ
x √ √
=− 3 ln | csc θ + cot θ| + 3 cos θ + C
√ √ √ √ √
=− 3 ln 3−4x2
+ C.
3 3−4x 2
2x + 2x + 3 √
3
 Z p
Example 26.3 Evaluate x3 2 + x2 dx.

r
Z Z √ 2
Solution:
p
x 3
2+ x2 dx = x 3
2 + x2 .
√ √
Let x = 2 tan θ. Then dx = 2 sec2 θdθ.
√ q √

2
q √
2
We have 2 + x2 = 2 + x2 = 2 + 2 tan θ
√
= p2 + 2 tan2 θ
=√ 2(1 2
√ + tan θ)
=√2 sec2 θ
= 2 sec θ.
 Z p Z √ 3 √  √ 
Thus, x 3
2+ x2 dx = 2 tan θ 2 sec θ 2 sec2 θdθ
Z√
= 4 2 tan3 θ sec3 θdθ
√ Z
=4 2 tan2 θ sec2 θ(sec θ tan θdθ)
√ Z
=4 2 (sec2 θ − 1) sec2 θ(sec θ tan θdθ)
√ Z
=4 2 (sec4 θ − sec2 θ)d(sec θ)
√ sec5 θ sec3 θ
 
=4 2 − +C
5 3
 √ 5 √ 3 
2+x 2 2+x 2
√  √ √
2 2
=4 2  − +C

5 3
 √ 5 √ 3 
2 2
√ 5 2+x 3 2+x
=4 2  √ − √ +C

4 2 2 2
Z p p 5 p 3
x 2 + x dx =5
3 2 2+x 2 −6 2+x 2 + C.
 Z
dx
Example 26.4 Evaluate .
(16 + x2 )3/2
Z Z Z
dx dx dx
Solution: = = √ 3 .
(16 + x2 )3/2 (42 + x2 )3/2
42 + x2
Let x = 4 tan θ. dx = 4 sec2 θdθ and so
√ √
16 + x2 = 16 + (4 tan θ)2 = 16(1 + tan2 θ) = 4 sec2 θ = 4 sec θ.
p p
 4 sec2 θdθ
Z Z Z
dx dx
We have, = √ 3 =
(16 + x2 )3/2 (4 sec θ)3
16 + x2
4 sec2 θdθ
Z
=
Z 43 sec3 θ
dθ
=
4Z2 sec θ
1 dθ
=
16 Z sec θ
1
= cos θdθ
16
1
= sin θ + C
16 x
= √ + C.
16 16 + x2
 Z
dx
Example 26.5 Evaluate √ .
x2 x2 − 3

Solution: Rewriting into one of the cases , we have

Z Z
dx dx
√ = q √
2 .
x2 x2 − 3 x2 x2 − 3
√ √
Let x = 3 sec θ, dx = 3 sec θ tan θdθ and so
 r
p √ √
2
x2 −3= − 3 = 3 sec2 θ − 3
3 sec θ
=√ 3(sec
p
2 θ − 1)
√
=√3 tan2 θ
= 3 tan θ.
Hence, Z Z √
dx 3 sec θ tan θdθ
√ = √
2 √
x2 x2 − 3 3 sec θ 3 tan θ
Z Z √
dx 3 sec θ tan θdθ
√ = √
x x2 − 3
2
Z 3 sec2 θ 3 tan θ
dθ
=
Z3 sec θ
1
= cos θdθ
3
1
= − sin θ + C
√3
x2 − 3
=− + C.
3x
Exercises: Evaluate the following integrals:
x2
Z
1. √
2+1
dx
Z p x
2. 49 − x2 dx
Z −√ 5 p
3
3. √ 10 x
3
3x2 − 1 dx
− 3
Z
dx
4. 3
(9 + 4x2 ) 2
Z √ 2
x −9
5. dx
x2
 Z
5 2p
6. x 25 + 16x2 dx
4
x2
Z
7. √ dx
x2 − 1
x2
Z
8. √ dx
1 − x2
x3
Z
9. 5 dx
(x2 + 1) 2
Z
dx
10.
(4x2 − 3)3/2