Roberto’s Notes on Integral Calculus

Chapter 2: Integration methods Section 12

Integration by inverse substitution

by using hyperbolic functions
What you need to know already: What you can learn here:
 How to integration by using inverse  How to apply the method of inverse
substitutions based on trigonometric functions. substitution by using hyperbolic functions.


So far we have applied the method of inverse substitution by using
trigonometric functions and exploiting the identities that link them. But hyperbolic x2
Example: dx
functions are also linked by simple identities involving squares, so we can use those
identities in the same way, as an alternative to the trig-based approach. x 9
2

We try the substitution x  3cosh z, dx  3sinh zdz and take advantage

of the identity cosh x  1  sinh x to get:
2 2

Knot on your finger

 
x2 9 cosh 2 z
dx  3sinh zdz
The basic hyperbolic functions can be linked through x2  9 9 cosh 2 z  9

 
the identities: 9 cosh 2 z
 3sinh zdz  9 cosh 2 zdz
cosh 2 x  1  sinh 2 x 3 cosh z  1
2

cosh 2 x  1  sinh 2 x At this point we can use a power reducing formula, or the definition of
1  tanh 2 x  sech 2 x hyperbolic functions in terms of exponentials to obtain:
9  e2 z e2 z 
  e 
9 2 z
9 cosh zdz 
2 2z
2e dz    2z  c
4 4 2 2 
Apart from using different identities, the method is still the same, including From here we can go back to x by using inverse hyperbolic functions, or their
provisos and extensions. Here are two examples, taken from the same examples you formulae in terms of logarithms.
saw in the previous sections on inverse substitution.

Integral Calculus Chapter 2: Integration methods Section 12: Integration by inverse substitution with hyperbolic functions Page 1
 Wait a minute! The steps you are leaving out do not seem that easy to complete!
 4  x dx 2
Example: You are right! As you can see from these examples, using hyperbolic identities
is not always a better alternative to trigonometric ones, and that is why this approach
In this case, we use the substitution x  2 tanh z , dx  2sech zdz and
2
is not used very often, but it is worth knowing.
the identity 1  tanh x  sech x to get:
2 2
Also, did you notice the slight of hands I did in the first example? I made a
small error: see if you can identify it .
 4  x dx   4  4 tanh z 2sech zdz
2 2 2

 4 1  tanh 2 z sech 2 zdz  4 sech 3 zdz

This integral can be done by using a method similar to that used for the
corresponding trig function, or by rewriting the integrand in terms of
exponentials.

Summary
 Hyperbolic identities may also be used as a basis for an inverse substitution, but they are not always a better alternative, as the resulting integrals may be more complicated.

Common errors to avoid

 Don’t use hyperbolic functions as the basis of an inverse substitution as your first choice, but do try them as a source of practice.

Learning questions for Section I 2-12

Review questions:

1. Describe when and how to use the method of integration by inverse substitution by using hyperbolic functions.

Integral Calculus Chapter 2: Integration methods Section 12: Integration by inverse substitution with hyperbolic functions Page 2
 Memory questions:

1. Besides a trig substitution, which method can be used for integrals containing a factor of the form b2 x2  a2 ?

Computation questions:
Compute the integrals proposed in questions 1-2 by using a suitable hyperbolic substitution. No need to complete the integration of the hyperbolic function so obtained, if it is
complicated. It’s the thought that counts .

1.

x2
x2  9
dx 2.
 12  3x 2 dx

Theory questions:

1. Find the error I made in the first example.

What questions do you have for your instructor?

Integral Calculus Chapter 2: Integration methods Section 12: Integration by inverse substitution with hyperbolic functions Page 3
Integral Calculus Chapter 2: Integration methods Section 12: Integration by inverse substitution with hyperbolic functions Page 4