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7.7 Integration Using Tables and Computer Algebra Systems

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OBJECTIVES

When you finish this section, you should be able to:

  1. Use a Table of Integrals (p. 520)
  2. Use a computer algebra system (p. 522)

While it is important to be able to use techniques of integration, to save time or to check one’s work, a Table of Integrals or a computer algebra system (CAS) is often useful.

1 Use a Table of Integrals

Printed Page 520

The inserts in the back of the book contain a list of integration formulas called a Table of Integrals. Many of the integration formulas in the list were derived in this chapter. Although the table seems long, it is far from complete. A more comprehensive table of integrals may be found in Daniel Zwillinger (Ed.), Standard Mathematical Tables and Formulae, 32nd ed., Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

EXAMPLE 1Using a Table of Integrals

Use a Table of Integrals to find dx(4xx2)3.

Solution Look through the headings in the Table of Integrals until you locate Integrals Containing 2axx2. Continue in the subsection until you find a form that closely resembles the integrand given. You should find Integral 82: dx(2axx2)3/2=xaa22axx2+C This is the integral we seek with a=2. So, dx(4xx2)3=x244xx2+C

NOW WORK

Problem 3.

Some integrals in the table are reduction formulas.

EXAMPLE 2Using a Table of Integrals

Use a Table of Integrals to find x2tan1xdx.

Solution Find the subsection of the table titled Integrals Containing Inverse Trigonometric Functions. Then look for an integral whose form closely resembles the problem. You should find Integral 114: xntan1xdx=1n+1(xn+1tan1xxn+1dx1+x2)n1

521

This is the integral we seek with n=2. x2tan1x dx=13(x3tan1xx3dx1+x2)

We find the integral on the right by using the substitution u=1+x2. Then du=2xdx and x31+x2dx=x2xdx1+x2=u1udu2=12(11u)du=12u12ln|u|=1+x22ln(1+x2)2

So, x2tan1xdx=13(x3tan1xx31+x2dx)=13[x3tan1x1+x22+12ln(1+x2)]+C

NOW WORK

Problem 11.

Sometimes the given integral is found in the tables after a substitution is made.

EXAMPLE 3Using a Table of Integrals

Use a Table of Integrals to find 3x+53x+6dx.

Solution Find the subsection of the table titled Integrals Containing ax+b (the square root of a linear expression). Then look for an integral whose form closely resembles the problem. The closest one is an integral with x in the numerator and ax+b in the denominator, Integral 42:x dxa+bx=23b2(bx2a)a+bx+C

To express the given integral as one with a single variable in the numerator, use the substitution u=3x+5. Then du=3dx. Since 3x+6=(3x+5)+1=u+1

we find 3x+53x+6dx=u=3x+5,13du=dx13uduu+1

which is in the form of (1) with a=1 and b=1 So, 3x+53x+6dx=13uduu+1=(1)1323(u2)1+u+C=u=3x+529[(3x+5)2]1+(3x+5)+C=23(x+1)3x+6+C

NOW WORK

Problem 5.

2 Use a Computer Algebra System

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522

A computer algebra system (or CAS) is computer software that can perform symbolic manipulation of mathematical expressions. Some graphing utilities, such as a TI-89 or a TI Nspire, also have a CAS capability. CAS software packages such as Mathematica, Maple, Matlab, and muPAD offer more extensive symbolic manipulation capabilities, as well as tools for visualization and numerical approximation. These packages offer intuitive interfaces so that the user can obtain results without needing to write a program. A simple, online CAS, based on Mathematica, can be found at WolframAlpha.com.

NEED TO REVIEW?

Computer algebra systems are discussed in Section P.8, pp. 64-67.

A CAS is often used instead of a Table of Integrals. When using a CAS to find an integral, keep in mind:

EXAMPLE 4Finding an Integral Using a CAS

Find x2(2x34)5dx.

Solution Using WolframAlpha to find the integral, input integrate x2((2x3)4)5

The output is x2(2x34)5dx=32(x18182x153+10x12380x99+40x6332x33)+C

Using Mathematica returns the same result without the constant C.

To find x2(2x34)5dx by hand, we use substitution with u=2x34. Then du=6x2dx. So, x2(2x34)5dx=16u5du=16u66=(2x34)636+C

If this solution is expanded using the Binomial Theorem, it will differ from the CAS answer by a constant.

NOW WORK

Problems 19, 21, and 27 using a CAS and compare your answers to Problems 3, 5, and 11.