Lecture Notes Trigonometric Substitutions page 1

Sample Problems

Compute each of the following integrals.

Z Z Z
p
1 x2 x6
1. dx 4. p dx 7. p dx
x2 + 4 16 x2 1 x14
Z Z
p p
2. 1 x2 dx 5. x2 + 4 dx
Z1
Z Z tan 1 x
1 x2 8. dx
3. p dx 6. p dx x2 + 1
x2 9 x2 + 9 0

Practice Problems

Compute each of the following integrals. Please note that some of the integrals can also be solved using other,
previously seen methods.

Z Z Z
1 p p
1. p dx 5. 16 x2 dx 9. x2 + 1 dx
x2 25

Z Z
x 1 Z
2. p dx 6. p dx 1
x2 25 16 x2 10. p dx
x2 +1
Z Z
x2 x Z
3. p dx 7. p dx x
x2 25 16 x2 11. p dx
x2 +1
Z Z
p x2
4. x2 25 dx 8. p dx Z
16 x2 x2
12. p dx
x2 + 1

c copyright Hidegkuti, Powell, 2012 Last revised: February 6, 2016

Lecture Notes Trigonometric Substitutions page 2

Sample Problems - Answers

p 1 1 1 p p
1.) ln x + x2 + 4 + C 2.) sin x+ x 1 x2 + C 3.) ln x + x2 9 +C
2 2

1 x 1 p 1 p 2 p
4.) 8 sin x 16 x2 + C 5.) x x + 4 + 2 ln x + x2 + 4 + C
4 2 2

1 p 2 9 p 1 2
1
6.) x x +9 ln x + x2 + 9 + C 7.) sin x7 + C 8.)
2 2 7 32

Practice Problems - Answers

p p 1 p 2 25 p
1.) ln x + x2 25 + C 2.) x2 25 + C 3.) x x 25 + ln x + x2 25 + C
2 2

1 p 2 25 p 1 x 1 p 1 x
4.) x x 25 ln x + x2 25 + C 5.) 8 sin + x 16 x2 + C 6.) sin +C
2 2 4 2 4

p 1 x 1 p 1 p 2 1 p
7.) 16 x2 + C 8.) 8 sin x 16 x2 + C 9.) x x + 1 + ln x + x2 + 1 + C
4 2 2 2

p p 1 p 2 1 p
10.) ln x + x2 + 1 + C 11.) x2 + 1 + C 12.) x x +1 ln x + x2 + 1 + C
2 2

c copyright Hidegkuti, Powell, 2012 Last revised: February 6, 2016

Lecture Notes Trigonometric Substitutions page 3

Sample Problems - Solutions

Trigonometric substitution is a technique of integration. It is especially useful in handling expressions under a square
root sign.
p
Case 1. The substitution x = a tan . This is useful in handling an integral involving x2 + a2 .
x
Let x = a tan where < < . (That is the same thing as stating that = tan 1 . The interval between
2 2 a 2
and is the domain of the inverse function tan 1 x.)
2
The picture below shows the reference triangle we use for this substitution.

Using this triangle, we do not have to do heavy duty algebra because we can read (up to sign) the trigonometric
functions of in terms of x and a.
Z
1
Example 1: Compute the integral p dx.
2
x +4
Solution: We will use a trigonometric substitution. We start with a reference triangle where the hypotenuse is the
denominator. Using the substitution x = 2 tan , (where < < ) we will transform the integral into one in .
2 2

p
From the triangle, x = 2 tan . Then dx = 2 sec2 d . The expression x2 + 4 becomes 2 sec - using the picture,
or using algebra. Recall the identity tan2 x + 1 = sec2 x
p q p p p p
x + 4 = (2 tan )2 + 4 = 4 tan2 + 4 = 4 tan2 + 1 = 2 sec2 = 2 jsec j
2

Because is in the interval ; , sec x is positive and so jsec xj = sec x.

2 2
Z Z Z
1 1
p dx = 2 sec2 d = sec d
x2 + 4 2 sec
This is an integral we have already seen: we can either use substitution (see in that handout) or partial fraction(see
in that handout). Either way, Z
sec d = ln jsec + tan j + C

Now we need to reverse the substitution and write the result as an expression of x: This is where the reference
triangle comes handy. p
x2 + 4 x
sec = and tan =
2 2
Z p
1 x2 + 4 x
Thus the answer is p dx = ln + + C: This expression can be further simpli…ed:
x2 + 4 2 2
p p
x2 + 4 x x2 + 4 + x p p
ln + + C = ln + C = ln x2 + 4 + x ln 2 + C = ln x2 + 4 + x + C
2 2 2

c copyright Hidegkuti, Powell, 2012 Last revised: February 6, 2016

Lecture Notes Trigonometric Substitutions page 4

p
and so the …nal answer is ln x2 + 4 + x + C .
p
Case 2. The substitution x = a sin where < < . This is useful in handling an integral involving a2 x2 .
2 2
The picture below shows the reference triangle we use for this substitution.

Using this triangle, we can read (up to sign) the trigonometric functions of in terms of x and a.
Z
p
Example 2: Compute the integral 1 x2 dx.
Solution: This is a very famous integral because it leads to the area formula
p of the unit circle. We will use a
trigonometric substitution. We start with a reference triangle where the 1 x2 is one of the legs. Using the
substitution x = sin , ( < < ) we will transform the integral into one in .
2 2

p
From the triangle, x = sin . Then dx = cos d . The expression 1 x2 becomes
p p p
1 x2 = 1 sin2 = cos2 = jcos j

Because is in the interval ; , cos x is positive and so jcos xj = cos x.

2 2
Z p Z Z
1 x2 dx = cos (cos d ) = cos2 d

This is an integral we have already seen; we can simplify it using the double angle formula for cosine.
1
cos 2 = 2 cos2 1 =) cos2 = (cos 2 + 1)
2
Z Z Z
2 1 1 1 1
cos d = (cos 2 + 1) d = cos 2 + 1 d = sin 2 + +C
2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1
= (2 sin cos ) + + C = sin cos + +C
2 2 2 2
Now we need to reverse the substitution and write the result as an expression of x: This is where the reference
triangle comes handy. p
sin = x, cos = 1 x2 and = sin 1 x
Z
p 1 1 1 p 1
Thus the answer is 1 x2 dx = sin cos + + C = x 1 x2 + sin 1 x + C
2 2 2 2
Z1
p
Note that if we now compute 1 x2 dx the result is the area of the unit semi-circle, .
2
1

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Lecture Notes Trigonometric Substitutions page 5

p
Case 3. The substitution x = a sec where 0 < < . This is useful in handling an integral involving x2 a2 .
2
The picture below shows the reference triangle we use for this substitution.

Using this triangle, we can read (up to sign) the trigonometric functions of in terms of x and a.
Z
1
Example 3: Compute the integral p dx.
x2 9
Solution: We will use a trigonometric substitution. We start with a reference triangle where the hypotenuse is x and
one shorter side is 3. Using the substitution x = 3 sec , we will transform the integral into one in .

p
From the triangle, x = 3 sec . Then dx = 3 sec tan d . The expression x2 9 becomes 3 tan - either from
the picture or using algebra. Recall the identity sec2 x = tan2 x + 1
p q p p p p
x 2 9 = (3 sec )2 9 = 9 sec2 9 = 9 sec2 1 = 3 tan2 = 3 jtan j

Because 0 < < , tan is positive and so jtan j = tan .

2
Z Z Z
1 1
p dx = (3 sec tan d ) = sec d
x2 9 3 tan

Again, Z
sec d = ln jsec + tan j + C

Now we need to reverse the substitution and write the result as an expression of x: This is where the reference
triangle comes handy. p
x x2 9
sec = and tan =
3 3
Z p
1 x x2 9
Thus the answer is p dx = ln jsec + tan j + C = ln + + C. We can still simplify this result
x2 9 3 3
a bit:
p p
x x2 9 x + x2 9 p p
ln + + C = ln + C = ln x + x2 9 ln 3 + C = ln x + x2 9 + C2
3 3 3

Z
1 p
Thus the …nal answer is p dx = ln x + x2 9 +C .
x2 9

c copyright Hidegkuti, Powell, 2012 Last revised: February 6, 2016

Lecture Notes Trigonometric Substitutions page 6

Z
x2
Example 4: Compute the integral p dx
16 x2

Solution: Let x = 4 sin where . Then dx = 4 cos d and

2 2
p p p p p
16 x2 = 16 16 sin2 = 16 1 sin2 = 4 cos2 = 4 jcos j

Because ; cos is non-negative, and jcos j = cos . So the integral is

2 2
Z Z Z Z
x2 16 sin2
p dx = (4 cos d ) = 16 sin d = 16 sin2
2
d
16 x 2 4 cos
1
By the double angle formula for cosine, cos 2 = 1 2 sin2 =) sin2 = (1 cos 2 )
2
Z Z Z Z
x2 2 1 1
p dx = 16 sin d = 16 (1 cos 2 ) d = 8 1 cos 2 d = 8 sin 2 + C
16 x2 2 2
= 8 4 sin 2 + C

Now we need to reverse the substitution and write the result as an expression of x: This is where the reference
triangle comes handy. Recall that x = 4 sin and so

1 x
= sin and
4 r r
p x x 2 x 1
sin 2 = 2 sin cos = 2 sin 1 sin2 =2 1 = (16 x2 )
4 4 2 16
x 1 p 1 p
= 16 x2 = x 16 x2
2 4 8
Z
x2 1 x 1 p
And so the …nal answer is p
dx = 8 4 sin 2 + C = 8 sin x 16 x2 + C
16 x2 4 2
Z
p
Example 5: Compute the integral x2 + 4 dx

Solution: Let x = 2 tan where . Then dx = 2 sec2 d and

2 2
Z p Z p Z p Z
2 2
2
x + 4 dx = 2
4 tan + 4 2 sec d = 2 tan2 + 1 2 sec d =4 jsec j sec2 d =
Z Z
= 4 sec sec2 d = 4 sec3 d
Z
We will compute sec3 d by parts.
Let u = sec and dv = sec2 d . Then
Z Z
du = sec tan d and v = dv = sec2 d

u = sec v = tan
In short,
du = sec tan d dv = sec2 d

c copyright Hidegkuti, Powell, 2012 Last revised: February 6, 2016

Lecture Notes Trigonometric Substitutions page 7

Z Z
u dv = uv v du becomes
Z Z
sec sec2 d = sec tan tan sec tan d
Z Z
sec3 d = sec tan tan2 sec d recall tan2 + 1 = sec2
Z Z
sec3 d = sec tan sec2 1 sec d
Z Z
sec3 d = sec tan sec3 sec d
Z Z Z
sec3 d = sec tan sec 3
d + sec d
Z Z
2 sec3 d = sec tan + sec d
Z
2 sec3 d = sec tan + ln jsec + tan j + C
Z
1 1
sec3 d = sec tan + ln jsec + tan j + C
2 2
Now the original integral is
Z p Z
1 1
x + 4 dx = 4 sec3
2 d =4 sec tan + ln jsec + tan j + C
2 2
= 2 sec tan + 2 ln jsec + tan j + C

Now we need to reverse the substitution and write the result as an expression of x: Recall that x = 2 tan . Then
x
tan = and
2 r r r
p
2 x 2 1 2 1 2 1p 2
sec = tan + 1 = +1= x +1= (x + 4) = x +4
2 4 4 2
and so
Z p
1p 2 x 1p 2 x
x2 + 4 dx = 2 sec tan + 2 ln jsec + tan j + C = 2 x +4 + 2 ln x +4+ +C
2 2 2 2
p
1 p 2 x + x2 + 4 1 p p
= x x + 4 + 2 ln + C = x x2 + 4 + 2 ln x + x2 + 4 ln 2 + C
2 2 2
1 p 2 p 1 p 2 p
= x x + 4 + 2 ln x + x2 + 4 2 ln 2 + C = x x + 4 + 2 ln x + x2 + 4 + C
2 2

c copyright Hidegkuti, Powell, 2012 Last revised: February 6, 2016

Lecture Notes Trigonometric Substitutions page 8

Z
x2
Example 6: Compute the integral p dx
x2 + 9

Let x = 3 tan where < < . Then dx = 3 sec2 d and

2 2
Z Z Z Z
x2 9 tan2 9 tan2 9 tan2
p dx = p 3 sec2 d = p 3 sec2 d = 3 sec2 d
x2 + 9 9 tan2 +9 3 tan2 + 1 3 jsec j
Z Z Z
9 tan2 2 2
= 3 sec d
= 9 tan sec d = 9 sec2 1 sec d
3 sec
Z Z Z
= 9 sec3 sec d = 9 sec3 d 9 sec d
Z
We know that sec d = ln jsec + tan j + C and from the previous computation we have that
Z
1 1
sec3 d = sec tan + ln jsec + tan j + C. So that the integral is
2 2
Z Z Z
x2 3 1 1
p dx = 9 sec d 9 sec d = 9 sec tan + ln jsec + tan j 9 ln jsec + tan j + C
2
x +9 2 2
9 9 9 9
= sec tan + ln jsec + tan j 9 ln jsec + tan j + C = sec tan ln jsec + tan j + C
2 2 2 2
Now we need to reverse the substitution and write the result as an expression of x: Recall that x = 3 tan . Then
x
tan = and
3 r r r
p x 2 1 2 1 2 1p 2
2
sec = tan + 1 = +1= x +1= (x + 9) = x +9
3 9 9 3
and so
Z
x2 9 9 9 1p 2 x 9 1p 2 x
p dx = sec tan ln jsec + tan j + C = x +9 ln x +9 + +C
2
x +9 2 2 2 3 3 2 3 3
p
1 p 2 9 x + x2 + 9 1 p 9 p
= x x +9 ln + C = x x2 + 9 ln x + x2 + 9 ln 3 + C
2 2 3 2 2
1 p 2 9 p 9 1 p 9 p
= x x +9 ln x + x2 + 9 + ln 3 + C = x x2 + 9 ln x + x2 + 9 + C
2 2 2 2 2

Z
x6
Example 7: p dx
1 x14
du
Solution: Let u = x7 . Then du = 7x6 dx and so dx = . Then the integral becomes
7x6
Z Z
x6 du 1 1
p 6
= p du
1 u 7x
2 7 1 u2
1
We can either recognize that this is the derivative of sin u:
Z
1 1 1 1 1 1
p du = sin u+C = sin x7 + C
7 1 u 2 7 7

c copyright Hidegkuti, Powell, 2012 Last revised: February 6, 2016

Lecture Notes Trigonometric Substitutions page 9

If we do not recognize the

h derivative,
i then we can use trigonometric substitution = sin 1 u. Then u = sin and so
du = cos d and is in ; .
2 2
Z Z Z Z
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
p du = p cos d = p cos d = cos d
7 1 u2 7 1 sin2 7 cos2 7 jcos j
h i
Since is in ; , cos is non-negative and so jcos j = cos and so
2 2
Z Z Z
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
cos d = cos d = 1d = + C = sin 1 x7 + C
7 jcos j 7 cos 7 7 7

1 1
So the answer is sin x7 + C .
7

Z1
tan 1 x
Example 8: dx
x2 + 1
0
1 x. 1 1 (0)
Solution: Let u = tan Then du = dx. For the limits of the integral, when x = 0; then u = tan =0
1 + x2
and when x = 1; u = tan 1 (1) = : So our integral becomes
4

Z1 Z=4 =4
tan 1 x u2 1 2 1 2 2
dx = u du = = 02 = =
x2 + 1 2 0 2 4 2 16 32
0 0

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c copyright Hidegkuti, Powell, 2012 Last revised: February 6, 2016