How do I evaluate int(e^(3x))/(e^(6x)-36)1/2dx?

1 Answer
Jan 28, 2015

The solution is 1/72(ln|(e^(3x)-6)/(e^(3x)+6)|)+c.

First of all the 1/2 can go out of the sign of integral and it is possible to notice that e^(6x)=(e^(3x))^2.

Then the substitution method will be used:

e^(3x)=trArr3x=ln(t)rArrx=1/3ln(t)rArrdx=(1/3)(1/t)dt

The integral now is:

1/2intt/(t^2-36)(1/3)(1/t)dt=1/6int1/((t-6)(t+6))dt

In the last passage the denominator was factored.

Now it is necessary to "disjoint" the fraction in two fractions using this method:

1/((t-6)(t+6))=A/(t-6)+B/(t+6)=(A(t+6)+B(t-6))/((t-6)(t+6))

The fraction on the left has to be identical to the one on the right, the two denominators are identical, so A and B have to be find.

The numerator 1 has to be identical to A(t+6)+B(t-6).
Two polynomials are identical if they assume the same values for the same value of x.

So:

If t=6 then 1=A(6+6)+B(6-6)rArr1=12ArArrA=1/12

If t=-6 then 1=A(-6+6)+B(-6-6)rArr1=-12BrArrB=-1/12

The integral bacames:

1/6int((1/12)/(t-6)-(1/12)/(t+6))dt=(1/6)(1/12)int(1/(t-6)-1/(t+6))dt=1/72(ln|t-6|-ln|t+6|)+c

In the last passage it was used the immediate integral:

int(f'(x))/f(x)dx=ln|f(x)|+c.

It not necessary, but kind, to use the logarithmic property: lna-lnb=ln(a/b).

So the solution is: 1/72ln|(t-6)/(t+6)|+c.

Now it is necessary to "return" to the old variable, x.

(t=e^(3x))

I=1/72(ln|(e^(3x)-6)/(e^(3x)+6)|)+c.