Skip to main content
Ch. 7 - Transcendental Functions
Hass - Thomas' Calculus 15th Edition
Hass15th EditionThomas' CalculusISBN: 9780137616077Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 7, Problem 7.6.69

Evaluate the integrals in Exercises 53–76.
69. ∫dx/((2x-1)√((2x-1)²-4))

Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the integral to solve: \(\int \frac{dx}{(2x-1) \sqrt{(2x-1)^2 - 4}}\).
Make a substitution to simplify the integral. Let \(u = 2x - 1\), so that \(du = 2 \, dx\) or \(dx = \frac{du}{2}\).
Rewrite the integral in terms of \(u\): \(\int \frac{\frac{du}{2}}{u \sqrt{u^2 - 4}} = \frac{1}{2} \int \frac{du}{u \sqrt{u^2 - 4}}\).
Recognize the integral form \(\int \frac{du}{u \sqrt{u^2 - a^2}}\), which suggests using a trigonometric substitution such as \(u = 2 \sec \theta\) to simplify the square root.
Perform the substitution \(u = 2 \sec \theta\), find \(du\), and rewrite the integral in terms of \(\theta\) to proceed with integration.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
6m
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Integration involving square roots of quadratic expressions

Integrals containing expressions like √(ax + b)² - c² often require recognizing the form as a difference of squares under the root. This suggests using trigonometric or hyperbolic substitutions to simplify the integral by transforming the radical into a simpler expression.
Recommended video:
03:33
Integrals Involving Natural Logs: Substitution Example 7

Trigonometric substitution

Trigonometric substitution replaces variables with trigonometric functions to simplify integrals involving radicals such as √(x² - a²). For example, setting x = a sec θ transforms the radical into a trigonometric expression, making the integral easier to evaluate.
Recommended video:
6:04
Introduction to Trigonometric Functions

Substitution method (u-substitution)

U-substitution involves changing variables to simplify the integral, especially when the integrand contains a composite function. Identifying a part of the integrand as u and expressing dx in terms of du can reduce the integral to a basic form that is easier to integrate.
Recommended video:
04:27
Substitution With an Extra Variable