Zero Substitution

Integration Bee Topics Guide for Problem Writers.pdf Z x2

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Z with
2 + (1 −Google
x 1) DocsZ 1 Share
dx = dx = 1− dx
2+1 2+1 2+1
x x x

It may not seem much, but this is actually the #1 most helpful algebra trick for speed
integration!! Here, try this one. It’s not always obvious sometimes.

Z dx
(x + 2)2 (x 2 + 4x + 5)

[JEE Main Training]

Hint: Let 1 = 5 − 4 = (x 2 + 2x + 5) − (x 2 + 2x + 4).

Geometric Polynomial Division

Z 4 Z 4−1+1 Z 1
x x 3−x 2+x−1+
dx = dx = x dx
x+1 x+1 x+1

Z 7 Z 7−x+x Z 6−1
x x x x
dx = dx = x + dx
x2−1 x 2−1 x 2−1 x2−1

Forcing an Arctangent

We mainly complete the square to give ourselves an arctan form.

Z dx Z dx 2 2x + 1
tan−1 +C
= 3 =
x 2+x+1 (x + 1)2+
2 4
√ 3 √ 3

du the Numerator

We purposely put down the derivative of the denominator on the numerator so that it’s
an easy u-sub. Then we just deal with the leftovers.

Z 5x 2 + 3x − 2 Z 3x 2 + 4x 2x 2 − x − 2
dx = + dx
x 3 + 2x 2 x 3 + 2x 2 x 3 + 2x 2

Z 3x 2 + 4x 2x 2 − (x + 2) Z 3x 2 + 4x 2 1
= + (x + 2) dx = + dx
−
x 3 + 2x 2 x 2 x 3 + 2x 2 x+2 x2

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