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Useful Math Substitutions

This cheat sheet provides a quick reference for various mathematical substitutions used in integrals. It includes specific substitutions for different forms such as x^2 + a^2, a^2 - x^2, and exponential functions, along with examples for each case. Additionally, it offers tips for choosing substitutions effectively.

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maryamtanvir2007
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3 views1 page

Useful Math Substitutions

This cheat sheet provides a quick reference for various mathematical substitutions used in integrals. It includes specific substitutions for different forms such as x^2 + a^2, a^2 - x^2, and exponential functions, along with examples for each case. Additionally, it offers tips for choosing substitutions effectively.

Uploaded by

maryamtanvir2007
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Title: Useful Substitutions in Math – Quick Cheat Sheet

1️⃣ Substitution for x^2 + a^2: - When to use: ∫sqrt(x^2 + a^2) dx or similar. - Substitution: x = a tan θ
- Example: ∫ dx / sqrt(x^2 + 4) → x = 2 tan θ → dx = 2 sec^2 θ dθ → ∫ 2 sec^2 θ / sqrt(4 tan^2 θ + 4) dθ
= ∫ dθ

2️⃣ Substitution for a^2 - x^2: - When to use: ∫sqrt(a^2 - x^2) dx. - Substitution: x = a sin θ - Example:
∫sqrt(9 - x^2) dx → x = 3 sin θ → dx = 3 cos θ dθ → ∫ 3 cos θ * 3 cos θ dθ = 9 ∫ cos^2 θ dθ

3️⃣ Substitution for x^2 - a^2: - When to use: ∫sqrt(x^2 - a^2) dx. - Substitution: x = a sec θ -
Example: ∫sqrt(x^2 - 4) dx → x = 2 sec θ → dx = 2 sec θ tan θ dθ → ∫ 2 tan θ * 2 sec θ tan θ dθ

4️⃣ Exponential substitution: - When to use: e^(something) or e^(ax) appears. - Substitution: u = e^x -
Example: ∫ e^(2x)/(1 + e^(2x)) dx → u = e^(2x) → du = 2 e^(2x) dx → (1/2) ∫ du/(1 + u)

5️⃣ Logarithmic substitution: - When to use: ln(x) inside integral or fraction. - Substitution: u = ln x -
Example: ∫ ln(x)/x dx → u = ln x → du = dx/x → ∫ u du = u^2 / 2 = (ln x)^2 / 2

6️⃣ Polynomial inside root or bracket: - When to use: sqrt(ax^2 + bx + c) or similar. - Substitution: u =
ax^2 + bx + c - Example: ∫ x sqrt(x^2 + 3x + 2) dx → u = x^2 + 3x + 2 → du = (2x + 3) dx → adjust dx
accordingly

7️⃣ Rational function substitution: - When to use: fraction with powers, e.g., x^n or x^k. -
Substitution: u = x^n - Example: ∫ x^3 sqrt(x^4 + 1) dx → u = x^4 → du = 4 x^3 dx → ∫ sqrt(u) * du/4 =
(1/4) ∫ sqrt(u) du

8️⃣ Trig substitution: - When to use: sin^2x + cos^2x, or roots like sqrt(1 - x^2) - Substitution: x = sin θ,
x = cos θ - Example: ∫ dx / sqrt(1 - x^2) → x = sin θ → dx = cos θ dθ → ∫ cos θ / sqrt(1 - sin^2 θ) dθ = ∫
cos θ / cos θ dθ = ∫ dθ

9️⃣ Linear inside function: - When to use: (ax + b)^n or similar - Substitution: u = ax + b - Example: ∫
(2x + 3)^5 dx → u = 2x + 3 → du = 2 dx → ∫ u^5 * du/2 = (1/2) ∫ u^5 du

🔟 Combination substitution: - When to use: If derivative of inner function is present. - Substitution:


u = inner function - Example: ∫ x e^(x^2) dx → u = x^2 → du = 2x dx → ∫ e^u * du/2 = (1/2) ∫ e^u du

Tips: 1. Always choose u so that du already exists in the integral. 2. Trig substitutions work best with
square roots. 3. For rational powers, let u = x^n to simplify. 4. Replace back the original variable at the
end.

End of Cheat Sheet

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