# How to compute the following integral?

$$\int\frac{\sqrt{1+x^2}}{x}dx$$

I tried letting $x=\tan\theta\$ where $\frac{-\pi}{2} < \theta < \frac{\pi}{2}$ so that $dx = \sec^2\theta\,d\theta$ and after making the substitution one gets to $$\int\frac{\sec^3\theta}{\tan\theta} d\theta$$ which is equivalent to $$\int\frac{1}{\cos^2\theta\sin\theta}d\theta$$

After this, I don't know how to proceed. I tried looking for the same integral elsewhere and I found a solution that involves a method called partial fraction decomposition, I believe. But, I have not been taught that method yet and this integral appears on the section of the book that I am currently working on.

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Because of the shape of the answer, either we come up with a magic substitution (can be done, but artificial), or we end up with partial fractions. Something that works fairly nicely is $x^2+1=t^2$. Then $x\,dx=t\,dt$, so $\frac{dx}{x}=\frac{t\,dt}{x^2}=\frac{t\,dt}{t^2-1}$. We end up with $\int \frac{t^2\,dt}{t^2-1}$. So we are integrating $1+\frac{1}{t^2-1}$. –  André Nicolas Jan 3 '13 at 1:28

## 4 Answers

The best way would be to start with André Nicolas' substitution. But I will take it from where you left it. So far, I can't see how to avoid partial fraction decomposition (Edit: Now I see, and you got it).

We can rewrite the integrand as follows: $$\frac{1}{\cos^2\theta\sin\theta}=\frac{\sin\theta}{\cos^2\theta\sin^2\theta}=\frac{\sin\theta}{\cos^2\theta(1-\cos^2\theta)}$$ Now we just have to use the substitution $u=\cos\theta$. This yields the integral of a rational function. Namely $$\int \frac{- du}{u^2(1-u^2)}=\int \frac{du}{u^2(u^2-1)}$$ After decomposition into partial fractions, one has $$\int \left(-\frac{1}{u^2}+\frac{1/2}{u-1}-\frac{1/2}{u+1}\right)du=\frac{1}{u}+\frac{1}{2}\ln \left| \frac{u-1}{u+1}\right| + C$$ Finally, going back to $x$, we get $$\sqrt{x^2+1} + \frac{1}{2}\ln \left| \frac{1-\sqrt{x^2+1}}{1+\sqrt{x^2+1}} \right|+C = \sqrt{x^2+1} + \frac{1}{2}\ln \left( \frac{\sqrt{x^2+1}-1}{\sqrt{x^2+1}+1} \right)+C$$

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Very clear approach +1 –  Babak S. Nov 4 '13 at 13:18

I solved it, the expression above is equivalent to $$\int\frac {\sec\theta}{\tan\theta}d\theta + \int\sec\theta\tan\theta\ d\theta = \int\csc\theta\ d\theta + \sec\theta + C$$

And we know that $$\int\csc\theta\ d\theta = \ln|\csc\theta - \cot\theta| + C_1$$ After substituting for the original variable, we get $$\ln\left|\frac{\sqrt{1+x^2} - 1}{x}\right| + \sqrt{x^2+1} + C_2$$

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Nice. The only real trouble is in integrating $\csc \theta$. I think of this as coming from partial fractions, but it can also be obtained by making the magic substitution $u=\csc\theta-\cot\theta$. –  André Nicolas Jan 3 '13 at 1:33
Nicely done. You should accept your answer. –  1015 Jan 3 '13 at 2:17
@AndréNicolas The substitution was introduced earlier in the text so that is why the author assumes that the reader should know the answer to $\int\csc\theta d\theta$. –  Lucas Alanis Jan 3 '13 at 2:20

$x = \tan u$

$dx = \sec^2u \,du$

Use the identity $\sec^2u = \tan^2u + 1$

$\sqrt{x^2 + 1 } = \sqrt{\tan^2(u) + 1} = \sqrt{\sec^2u} = \sec u$, $u = \tan^{-1}x$

Set up your integral with appropriate substitutions:

$$\int \csc u \sec^2 u \,du$$ $$= \int (1 + \tan^2 u)\csc u\,du$$ $$= \int \csc u + \tan^2 u \csc u\, du$$ $$= \int \csc u \,du + \int \tan u \sec u \,du$$

You can substitute again...For the integrand $\tan u \sec u$:

Let $t = \sec u, ds = \tan u \sec u$...

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Try writing the integrand with sine and cosine instead of tan and sec and then substitute $t=cos(\theta )$.

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