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Active Calculus

Section 5.3 Integration by Substitution

In Section 4.4, we learned the key role that antiderivatives play in the process of evaluating definite integrals exactly. The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus tells us that if F is any antiderivative of f, then
abf(x)dx=F(b)F(a).
Furthermore, we realized that each elementary derivative rule developed in Chapter 2 leads to a corresponding elementary antiderivative, as summarized in Table 4.4.5. Thus, if we wish to evaluate an integral such as
01(x3x+5x)dx,
it is straightforward to do so, since we can easily antidifferentiate f(x)=x3x+5x. Because one antiderivative of f is F(x)=14x423x3/2+1ln(5)5x, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus tells us that
01(x3x+5x)dx=14x423x3/2+1ln(5)5x|01=(14(1)423(1)3/2+1ln(5)51)(00+1ln(5)50)=512+4ln(5).
We see that we have a natural interest in being able to find such algebraic antiderivatives. We emphasize algebraic antiderivatives, as opposed to any antiderivative, since we know by the Second Fundamental Theorem of Calculus that G(x)=axf(t)dt is indeed an antiderivative of the given function f, but one that still involves a definite integral. Our goal in this section is to “undo” the process of differentiation to find an algebraic antiderivative for a given function.

Preview Activity 5.3.1.

In Section 2.5, we learned the Chain Rule and how it can be applied to find the derivative of a composite function. In particular, if u is a differentiable function of x, and f is a differentiable function of u(x), then
ddx[f(u(x))]=f(u(x))u(x).
In words, we say that the derivative of a composite function c(x)=f(u(x)), where f is considered the "outer" function and u the "inner" function, is "the derivative of the outer function, evaluated at the inner function, times the derivative of the inner function."
(a) For each of the following functions, use the Chain Rule to find the function’s derivative. Notice the label of each derivative respects the functions name (e.g., the derivative of g(x) should be labeled g(x)).
(i) If g(x)=e3x, then g(x)=
(ii) If h(x)=sin(5x+1), then h(x)=
(iii) If p(x)=arctan(2x), then p(x)=
(iv) If q(x)=(27x)4, then q(x)=
(v) If r(x)=3411x, then r(x)=
(b) For each of the following functions, use your work in (a) to help you determine the general antiderivative of the function. (Recall that the general antiderivative of a function includes +C to reflect the entire family of functions that share the same derivative.) Notice the label of each antiderivative respects the name (e.g., the antiderivative of m should be called M). Remember that you can check your work by computing the derivative of each proposed antiderivative.
(i) If m(x)=e3x, then M(x)=
(ii) If n(x)=cos(5x+1), then N(x)=
(iii) If s(x)=11+4x2, then S(x)=
(iv) If v(x)=(27x)3, then V(x)=
(v) If w(x)=3411x, then W(x)=
(c) Based on your experience in parts (a) and (b), conjecture an antiderivative for each of the following functions. Test your conjectures by computing the derivative of each proposed antiderivative.
(i) a(x)=cos(πx), then A(x)=
(ii) b(x)=(4x+7)11, then B(x)=
(iii) c(x)=xex2, then C(x)=

Subsection 5.3.1 Reversing the Chain Rule: First Steps

Whenever f is a familiar function whose antiderivative is known and u(x) is a linear function, it is straightforward to antidifferentiate a function of the form
h(x)=f(u(x)).

Example 5.3.1.

Determine the general antiderivative of
h(x)=(5x3)6.
Check the result by differentiating.
For this composite function, the outer function f is f(u)=u6, while the inner function is u(x)=5x3. Since the antiderivative of f is F(u)=17u7+C, we see that the antiderivative of h is
H(x)=17(5x3)715+C=135(5x3)7+C.
The inclusion of the constant 15 is essential precisely because the derivative of the inner function is u(x)=5. Indeed, if we now compute H(x), we find by the Chain Rule (and Constant Multiple Rule) that
H(x)=1357(5x3)65=(5x3)6=h(x),
and thus H is indeed the general antiderivative of h.
Hence, in the special case where the outer function is familiar and the inner function is linear, we can antidifferentiate composite functions according to the following rule.
If h(x)=f(ax+b) and F is a known algebraic antiderivative of f, then the general antiderivative of h is given by
H(x)=1aF(ax+b)+C.
It is useful to have shorthand notation that indicates the instruction to find an antiderivative. Thus, in a similar way to how the notation
ddx[f(x)]
represents the derivative of f(x) with respect to x, we use the notation of the indefinite integral,
f(x)dx
to represent the general antiderivative of f with respect to x. Returning to the earlier example with h(x)=(5x3)6, we can rephrase the relationship between h and its antiderivative H through the notation
(5x3)6dx=135(5x6)7+C.
When we find an antiderivative, we will often say that we evaluate an indefinite integral. Just as the notation ddx[] means “find the derivative with respect to x of ,” the notation dx means “find a function of x whose derivative is .

Activity 5.3.2.

Evaluate each of the following indefinite integrals. Check each antiderivative that you find by differentiating.
  1. sin(83x)dx
  2. sec2(4x)dx
  3. 111x9dx
  4. csc(2x+1)cot(2x+1)dx
  5. 1116x2dx
  6. 5xdx

Subsection 5.3.2 Reversing the Chain Rule: u-substitution

A natural question arises from our recent work: what happens when the inner function is not linear? For example, can we find antiderivatives of such functions as
g(x)=xex2 and h(x)=ex2?
It is important to remember that differentiation and antidifferentiation are almost inverse processes (that they are not is due to the +C that arises when antidifferentiating). This almost-inverse relationship enables us to take any known derivative rule and rewrite it as a corresponding rule for an indefinite integral. For example, since
ddx[x5]=5x4,
we can equivalently write
5x4dx=x5+C.
Recall that the Chain Rule states that
ddx[f(g(x))]=f(g(x))g(x).
Restating this relationship in terms of an indefinite integral,
(5.3.1)f(g(x))g(x)dx=f(g(x))+C.
Equation (5.3.1) tells us that if we can view a given function as f(g(x))g(x) for some appropriate choices of f and g, then we can antidifferentiate the function by reversing the Chain Rule. Note that both g(x) and g(x) appear in the form of f(g(x))g(x); we will sometimes say that we seek to identify a function-derivative pair (g(x) and g(x)) when trying to apply the rule in Equation (5.3.1).
If we can identify a function-derivative pair, we will introduce a new variable u to represent the function g(x). With u=g(x), it follows in Leibniz notation that dudx=g(x), so that in terms of differentials
 1 
If we recall from the definition of the derivative that dudxΔuΔx and use the fact that dudx=g(x), then we see that g(x)ΔuΔx. Solving for Δu, Δug(x)Δx. It is this last relationship that, when expressed in “differential” notation enables us to write du=g(x)dx in the change of variable formula.
, du=g(x)dx. Now converting the indefinite integral to a new one in terms of u, we have
f(g(x))g(x)dx=f(u)du.
Provided that f is an elementary function whose antiderivative is known, we can easily evaluate the indefinite integral in u, and then go on to determine the desired overall antiderivative of f(g(x))g(x). We call this process u-substitution, and summarize the rule as follows:
With the substitution u=g(x),
f(g(x))g(x)dx=f(u)du=f(u)+C=f(g(x))+C.
To see u-substitution at work, we consider the following example.

Example 5.3.2.

Evaluate the indefinite integral
x3sin(7x4+3)dx
and check the result by differentiating.
Solution.
We can make two algebraic observations regarding the integrand, x3sin(7x4+3). First, sin(7x4+3) is a composite function; as such, we know we’ll need a more sophisticated approach to antidifferentiating. Second, x3 is almost the derivative of (7x4+3); the only issue is a missing constant. Thus, x3 and (7x4+3) are nearly a function-derivative pair. Furthermore, we know the antiderivative of f(u)=sin(u). The combination of these observations suggests that we can evaluate the given indefinite integral by reversing the chain rule through u-substitution.
Letting u represent the inner function of the composite function sin(7x4+3), we have u=7x4+3, and thus dudx=28x3. In differential notation, it follows that du=28x3dx, and thus x3dx=128du. The original indefinite integral may be slightly rewritten as
sin(7x4+3)x3dx,
and so by substituting u for 7x4+3 and 128du for x3dx, it follows that
sin(7x4+3)x3dx=sin(u)128du.
Now we may evaluate the easier integral in u, and then replace u by the expression 7x4+3. Doing so, we find
sin(7x4+3)x3dx=sin(u)128du=128sin(u)du=128(cos(u))+C=128cos(7x4+3)+C.
To check our work, we observe by the Chain Rule that
ddx[128cos(7x4+3)]=128(1)sin(7x4+3)28x3=sin(7x4+3)x3,
which is indeed the original integrand.
The u-substitution worked because the function multiplying sin(7x4+3) was x3. If instead that function was x2 or x4, the substitution process would not have worked. This is one of the primary challenges of antidifferentiation: slight changes in the integrand make tremendous differences. For instance, we can use u-substitution with u=x2 and du=2xdx to find that
xex2dx=eu12du=12eudu=12eu+C=12ex2+C.
However, for the similar indefinite integral
ex2dx,
the u-substitution u=x2 is no longer possible because the factor of x is missing. Hence, part of the lesson of u-substitution is just how specialized the process is: it only applies to situations where, up to a missing constant, the integrand is the result of applying the Chain Rule to a different, related function.

Activity 5.3.3.

Evaluate each of the following indefinite integrals by using these steps:
  • Find two functions within the integrand that form (up to a possible missing constant) a function-derivative pair;
  • Make a substitution and convert the integral to one involving u and du;
  • Evaluate the new integral in u;
  • Convert the resulting function of u back to a function of x by using your earlier substitution;
  • Check your work by differentiating the function of x. You should come up with the integrand originally given.
  1. x25x3+1dx
  2. exsin(ex)dx
  3. cos(x)xdx

Subsection 5.3.3 Evaluating Definite Integrals via u-substitution

We have introduced u-substitution as a means to evaluate indefinite integrals of functions that can be written, up to a constant multiple, in the form f(g(x))g(x). This same technique can be used to evaluate definite integrals involving such functions, though we need to be careful with the corresponding limits of integration. Consider, for instance, the definite integral
25xex2dx.
Whenever we write a definite integral, it is implicit that the limits of integration correspond to the variable of integration. To be more explicit, observe that
25xex2dx=x=2x=5xex2dx.
When we execute a u-substitution, we change the variable of integration; it is essential to note that this also changes the limits of integration. For instance, with the substitution u=x2 and du=2xdx, it also follows that when x=2, u=22=4, and when x=5, u=52=25. Thus, under the change of variables of u-substitution, we now have
x=2x=5xex2dx=u=4u=25eu12du=12eu|u=4u=25=12e2512e4.
Alternatively, we could consider the related indefinite integral xex2dx, find the antiderivative 12ex2 through u-substitution, and then evaluate the original definite integral. With that method, we’d have
25xex2dx=12ex2|25=12e2512e4,
which is, of course, the same result.

Activity 5.3.4.

Evaluate each of the following definite integrals exactly through an appropriate u-substitution.
  1. 12x1+4x2dx
  2. 01ex(2ex+3)9dx
  3. 2/π4/πcos(1x)x2dx

Subsection 5.3.4 Summary

  • To find algebraic formulas for antiderivatives of more complicated algebraic functions, we need to think carefully about how we can reverse known differentiation rules. To that end, it is essential that we understand and recall known derivatives of basic functions, as well as the standard derivative rules.
  • The indefinite integral provides notation for antiderivatives. When we write “f(x)dx,” we mean “the general antiderivative of f.” In particular, if we have functions f and F such that F=f, the following two statements say the exact thing:
    ddx[F(x)]=f(x) and f(x)dx=F(x)+C.
    That is, f is the derivative of F, and F is an antiderivative of f.
  • The technique of u-substitution helps us to evaluate indefinite integrals of the form f(g(x))g(x)dx through the substitutions u=g(x) and du=g(x)dx, so that
    f(g(x))g(x)dx=f(u)du.
    A key part of choosing the expression in x to be represented by u is the identification of a function-derivative pair. To do so, we often look for an “inner” function g(x) that is part of a composite function, while investigating whether g(x) (or a constant multiple of g(x)) is present as a multiplying factor of the integrand.

Exercises 5.3.5 Exercises

1.

Solve the integral below with u-substitution.
2sec(10x)tan(10x)sec9(10x)dx
Let u=
Then du=
Then, we substitute in the integral to get , (which has ’u’ and ’du’ in it, not ’x’ or ’dx’. )
Now this is a basic integral. Evaluate it to get all possible antiderivatives in terms of ’u’:
and then the final answer is 2sec(10x)tan(10x)sec9(10x)dx=

2.

Solve the integral below with u-substitution.
6csc2(2x)ecot(2x)dx
Let u=
Then du=
Then, we substitute in the integral to get , (which has ’u’ and ’du’ in it, not ’x’ or ’dx’. )
Now this is a basic integral. Evaluate it to get all possible antiderivatives in terms of ’u’:
and then the final answer is 6csc2(2x)ecot(2x)dx=

3.

Find the following integral. Note that you can check your answer by differentiation.
t2(t36)4dt=

4.

Find the the general antiderivative F(x) of the function f(x) given below. Note that you can check your answer by differentiation.
f(x)=6xcos(x2)
antiderivative F(x)=

5.

Find the following integral. Note that you can check your answer by differentiation.
ln4(z)zdz=

6.

Find the following integral. Note that you can check your answer by differentiation.
e3x9+e3xdx=

7.

Use the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus to find
3π3π/2ecos(q)sin(q)dq=

8.

Consider the integral 6x(x2+1)dx. In the following, we will evaluate the integral using two methods.
A. First, rewrite the integral by multiplying out the integrand:
6x(x2+1)dx= dx
Then evaluate the resulting integral term-by-term:
6x(x2+1)dx=
B. Next, rewrite the integral using the substitution w=x2+1:
6x(x2+1)dx= dw
Evaluate this integral (and back-substitute for w) to find the value of the original integral:
6x(x2+1)dx=
C. How are your expressions from parts (A) and (B) different? What is the difference between the two? (Ignore the constant of integration.)
(answer from B)(answer from A) =
Are both of the answers correct? (Be sure you can explain why they are!)

9.

Evaluate the indefinite integral
8(1+tan(t))5sec2(t)dt
Note: Any arbitrary constants used must be an upper-case "C".

10.

Evaluate the integral
10cot(x)ln(sin(x))dx
Note: Use an upper-case "C" for the constant of integration.

11.

This problem centers on finding antiderivatives for the basic trigonometric functions other than sin(x) and cos(x).
  1. Consider the indefinite integral tan(x)dx. By rewriting the integrand as tan(x)=sin(x)cos(x) and identifying an appropriate function-derivative pair, make a u-substitution and hence evaluate tan(x)dx.
  2. In a similar way, evaluate cot(x)dx.
  3. Consider the indefinite integral
    sec2(x)+sec(x)tan(x)sec(x)+tan(x)dx.
    Evaluate this integral using the substitution u=sec(x)+tan(x).
  4. Simplify the integrand in (c) by factoring the numerator. What is a far simpler way to write the integrand?
  5. Combine your work in (c) and (d) to determine sec(x)dx.
  6. Using (c)-(e) as a guide, evaluate csc(x)dx.

12.

Consider the indefinite integral xx1dx.
  1. At first glance, this integrand may not seem suited to substitution due to the presence of x in separate locations in the integrand. Nonetheless, using the composite function x1 as a guide, let u=x1. Determine expressions for both x and dx in terms of u.
  2. Convert the given integral in x to a new integral in u.
  3. Evaluate the integral in (b) by noting that u=u1/2 and observing that it is now possible to rewrite the integrand in u by expanding through multiplication.
  4. Evaluate each of the integrals x2x1dx and xx21dx. Write a paragraph to discuss the similarities among the three indefinite integrals in this problem and the role of substitution and algebraic rearrangement in each.

13.

Consider the indefinite integral sin3(x)dx.
  1. Explain why the substitution u=sin(x) will not work to help evaluate the given integral.
  2. Recall the Fundamental Trigonometric Identity, which states that sin2(x)+cos2(x)=1. By observing that sin3(x)=sin(x)sin2(x), use the Fundamental Trigonometric Identity to rewrite the integrand as the product of sin(x) with another function.
  3. Explain why the substitution u=cos(x) now provides a possible way to evaluate the integral in (b).
  4. Use your work in (a)-(c) to evaluate the indefinite integral sin3(x)dx.
  5. Use a similar approach to evaluate cos3(x)dx.

14.

For the town of Mathland, MI, residential power consumption has shown certain trends over recent years. Based on data reflecting average usage, engineers at the power company have modeled the town’s rate of energy consumption by the function
r(t)=4+sin(0.263t+4.7)+cos(0.526t+9.4).
Here, t measures time in hours after midnight on a typical weekday, and r is the rate of consumption in megawatts
 2 
The unit megawatt is itself a rate, which measures energy consumption per unit time. A megawatt-hour is the total amount of energy that is equivalent to a constant stream of 1 megawatt of power being sustained for 1 hour.
at time t. Units are critical throughout this problem.
  1. Sketch a carefully labeled graph of r(t) on the interval [0,24] and explain its meaning. Why is this a reasonable model of power consumption?
  2. Without calculating its value, explain the meaning of 024r(t)dt. Include appropriate units on your answer.
  3. Determine the exact amount of energy Mathland consumes in a typical day.
  4. What is Mathland’s average rate of power consumption in a given 24-hour period? What are the units on this quantity?
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