# Evaluating $\int \frac{1}{x^{7} - x} ~ d{x}$.

How do I evaluate the following indefinite integral? $$\int \frac{1}{x^{7} - x} ~ d{x}.$$ Could someone give me some advice as to what method I should use or the steps that I should take?

Note: The OP originally requested for help in evaluating $\displaystyle \int \left( \frac{1}{x^{7}} - x \right) ~ d{x}$, which may not have been his/her actual intention.

-

There is a trick. We have $$\frac{1}{x^7-x}=\frac{7x^6}{x^7-x} -\frac{7x^6-1}{x^7-x}.$$

The first function is $\dfrac{7x^5}{x^6-1}$. For integrating, there is an obvious substitution.

For the second function, there already is an obvious substitution.

One can invent many examples that yield to the same sort of trick.

-

$\displaystyle \int\frac{1}{x^7-x}dx = \int\frac{1}{x^7.\left(1-\frac{1}{x^6}\right)}dx$

Put $\displaystyle \left(1-\frac{1}{x^6}\right) = t$ and $\displaystyle \frac{6}{x^7}dx = dt$

$\displaystyle = \frac{1}{6}\int\frac{1}{t}dt = \frac{1}{6}\ln \mid t \mid+C$

$\displaystyle = \frac{1}{6}\ln \left|\frac{x^6-1}{x^6}\right|+C$

-

Factor the denom into $x{(x^3-1)}(x^{3}+1)$ and do a u-sub $x^{3}+1=u$ and it will go easy.

-
Sorry, I was trying to edit, but it was done already, thanks. Anyway, this factorization with this u-sub really works well, it becomes a Partial Fraction Decomposition problem of three linear factors in the denom! –  imranfat Mar 25 '13 at 19:17

denominator=x^7(1-(1/x^6)) now take 1- (1/x^6) as u and done.

-
Answer by juantheron says the very same! –  Iuʇǝƃɹɐʇoɹ Dec 3 '14 at 11:10
This does not provide an answer to the question. To critique or request clarification from an author, leave a comment below their post - you can always comment on your own posts, and once you have sufficient reputation you will be able to comment on any post. –  Mher Dec 3 '14 at 11:24