2.1: Substitution
( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)
Recall that the chain rule states that
(f(g(x)))′=f′(g(x))g′(x).
Integrating both sides we get:
∫[f(g(x)]′dx=∫[f′(g(x)g′(x)dx]
or
∫f′(g(x))g′(x)dx=f(g(x))+C
Calculate
∫2xx2+1dx=∫2x(x2+1)−2dx.
Solution
Let
u=x2+1
then
dudx=2x
and
du=2xdx.
We substitute:
∫u−2du=−u−1+C=(x2+1)−1+C.
Steps:
- Find the function derivative pair (f and f′).
- Let u=f(x).
- Find du/dx and adjust for constants.
- Substitute.
- Integrate.
- Resubstitute.
We will try many more examples including those such as
∫xsin(x2)dx,
∫x√x−2dx.
Contributors and Attributions
- Larry Green (Lake Tahoe Community College)
Integrated by Justin Marshall.