Section 5.

5 The Substitution Rule 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

The Substitution Rule

THEOREM (The Fundamental Theorem Of Calculus, Part II): If f is continuous on [a, b], then
Zb ib
f (x)dx = F (b) − F (a) = F (x)
a
a

where F is any antiderivative of f, that is F ′ = f.

NOTATION: To denote the set of all antiderivatives of f on an (open) interval I we use the indefinite
integral notation:
Z
f (x)dx = F (x) + C

Table Of Indefinite Integrals

Z Z Z Z Z
cf (x)dx = c f (x)dx [f (x) + g(x)]dx = f (x)dx + g(x)dx
Z Z
xn+1 1
xn dx = + C (n 6= −1) dx = ln |x| + C
Z n+1 Z x
x x ax
e dx = e + C ax dx = +C
Z Z ln a
sin xdx = − cos x + C cos xdx = sin x + C
Z Z
sec2 xdx = tan x + C csc2 xdx = − cot x + C
Z Z
sec x tan xdx = sec x + C csc x cot xdx = − csc x + C
Z Z
1 1
2
dx = arctan x + C √ dx = arcsin x + C
1+x 1 − x2

EXAMPLES:
Z
2 x2+1 x3
1. x dx = [P R with n = 2] = +C = +C
2+1 3
Z Z Z
1 1 x−1/5+1 5
2. √ dx = dx = x −1/5
dx = [P R with n = −1/5] = + C = x4/5 + C
5
x x1/5 −1/5 + 1 4
Z Z Z
√ 1 1/3 1+1/3 x4/3+1 3
3. x xdx =
3
x ·x dx = x dx = [P R with n = 4/3] = + C = x7/3 + C
| {z }
4/3
4/3 + 1 7
x

Z √ Z 1 1/3 Z 1+1/3 Z
x3x x ·x x 1+1/3−1/2 x5/6+1
4. √ dx = dx = dx = x dx = [P R with n = 5/6] = +C
x x1/2 x1/2 | {z }
5/6
5/6 + 1
x
6 11/6
= x +C
11

1
Section 5.5 The Substitution Rule 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

Table Of Indefinite Integrals

Z Z Z Z Z
cf (x)dx = c f (x)dx [f (x) + g(x)]dx = f (x)dx + g(x)dx
Z Z
n xn+1 1
x dx = + C (n 6= −1) dx = ln |x| + C
Z n+1 Z x
ax
ex dx = ex + C ax dx = +C
Z Z ln a
sin xdx = − cos x + C cos xdx = sin x + C
Z Z
sec2 xdx = tan x + C csc2 xdx = − cot x + C
Z Z
sec x tan xdx = sec x + C csc x cot xdx = − csc x + C
Z Z
1 1
dx = arctan x + C √ dx = arcsin x + C
1 + x2 1 − x2
Z  √  Z   Z  
4 − 5 x + 7x sin x 4 5x1/2 7x sin x 4 1 5 −1/2 7
5. dx = − + dx = · − x + sin x dx
9x 9x 9x 9x 9 x 9 9
Z Z Z Z Z Z
4 1 5 −1/2 7 4 1 5 7
= · dx − x dx + sin xdx = dx − x−1/2 dx + sin xdx
9 x 9 9 9 x 9 9

4 5 x−1/2+1 7
= ln |x| − · − cos x + C
9 9 −1/2 + 1 9

4 10 7
ln |x| − x1/2 − cos x + C
=
9 9 9
Z1 3 Z1  3  Z1   Z1  
x +x+1 x +x 1 x(x2 + 1) 1 1
6. dx = + dx = + 2 dx = x+ 2 dx
x2 + 1 x2 + 1 x2 + 1 x2 + 1 x +1 x +1
0 0 0 0
 1    
x2 12 02 1 1 π
= + arctan x = + arctan 1 − + arctan 0 = + arctan 1 = +
2 0 2 2 2 2 4
Z Z Z

x2 x4 x6
7. x(1 + x2 )2 dx = x 1 + 2x2 + x4 dx = (x + 2x3 + x5 )dx = +2 + +C
2 4 6
1 1 1
= x2 + x4 + x6 + C
2 2 6
Z Z Z
2 3 2 4 6


8. x(1 + x ) dx = x 1 + 3x + 3x + x dx = (x + 3x3 + 3x5 + x7 )dx

x2 x4 x6 x8 1 3 1 1
= +3 +3 + + C = x2 + x4 + x6 + x8 + C
2 4 6 8 2 4 2 8
Z
9. x(1 + x2 )50 dx =???

2
Section 5.5 The Substitution Rule 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

ANSWER 1:
Z
x(1 + x2 )50 dx
= (x102 + 51 x100 + 1275 x98 + 20825 x96 + 249900 x94 + 2349060 x92 + 18009460 x90
+115775100 x88 + 636763050 x86 + 3042312350 x84 + 12777711870 x82
+47626016970 x80 + 158753389900 x78 + 476260169700 x76 + 1292706174900 x74
+3188675231420 x72 + 7174519270695 x70 + 14771069086725 x68 + 27900908274925 x66
+48459472266975 x64 + 77535155627160 x62 + 114456658306760 x60 + 156077261327400 x58
+196793068630200 x56 + 229591913401900 x54 + 247959266474052 x52 + 247959266474052 x50
+229591913401900 x48 + 196793068630200 x46 + 156077261327400 x44 + 114456658306760 x42
+77535155627160 x40 + 48459472266975 x38 + 27900908274925 x36 + 14771069086725 x34
+7174519270695 x32 + 3188675231420 x30 + 1292706174900 x28 + 476260169700 x26
+158753389900 x24 + 47626016970 x22 + 12777711870 x20 + 3042312350 x18
+636763050 x16 + 115775100 x14 + 18009460 x12 + 2349060 x10
+249900 x8 + 20825 x6 + 1275 x4 + 51 x2 )/102 + C

ANSWER 2: Z
1
x(1 + x2 )50 dx = (1 + x2 )51 + C
102
because
 ′  ′ " #
1 1 (cf )′ = cf ′ 1
′
(1 + x2 )51 + C = (1 + x2 )51 + C′ = = (1 + x2 )51
102 102 C′ = 0 102

1 1
= [(un )′ = nun−1 · u′ ] = · 51(1 + x2 )50 (1 + x2 )′ = · 51(1 + x2 )50 · 2x = x(1 + x2 )50
102 102

THEOREM (The Substitution Rule): If u = g(x) is a differentiable function whose range is an interval I
and f is continuous on I, then
Z Z
′
f (g(x))g (x)dx = f (u)du

SOLUTION:
 
1 + x2 = u
 
Z  d(1 + x2 ) = du  Z Z
 
50 1 1 1 u51 1 (1 + x2 )51
x(1 + x2 )50 dx =  50
 
 = u du = u du = · + C = · +C
 2xdx = du  2 2 2 51 2 51
 
 1 
xdx = du
2

3
Section 5.5 The Substitution Rule 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

Table Of Indefinite Integrals

Z Z Z Z Z
cf (u)du = c f (u)du [f (u)+g(u)]du = f (u)du+ g(u)du
Z Z
n un+1 1
u du = + C (n 6= −1) du = ln |u| + C
Z n+1 Z u
au
eu du = eu + C au du = +C
Z Z ln a
sin udu = − cos u + C cos udu = sin u + C
Z Z
sec2 udu = tan u + C csc2 udu = − cot u + C
Z Z
sec u tan udu = sec u + C csc u cot udu = − csc u + C
Z Z
1 1
du = arctan u + C √ du = arcsin u + C
1 + u2 1 − u2

 
1 − 5x3 = u
 
Z  d(1 − 5x3 ) = du  Z   Z
= sin u − 4 du= − 4
 
10. 4x2 sin(1 − 5x3 )dx = 
 −15x2 dx = du sin udu


 15 15
 4 
4x2 dx = − du
15
4 4
=− (− cos u) + C= cos(1 − 5x3 ) + C
15 15

 
Z Z x2 + 3x − 1 = u Z
2x + 3 1   1
11. √ dx = √ · (2x + 3)dx =  d(x2 + 3x − 1) = du  = √ du
x2 + 3x − 1 x2 + 3x − 1 u
(2x + 3)dx = du

Z
u−1/2+1 (x2 + 3x − 1)−1/2+1
= u−1/2 du = +C = + C = 2(x2 + 3x − 1)1/2 + C
−1/2 + 1 −1/2 + 1

 
ln x = u
Z Z  Z
ln x 1  u2 ln2 x
ln x · dx =  d(ln x) = du
 
12. dx =  = udu = +C = +C
x x  1  2 2
dx = du
x

Z
2 +1
13. xex dx

4
Section 5.5 The Substitution Rule 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

Table Of Indefinite Integrals

Z Z Z Z Z
cf (u)du = c f (u)du [f (u)+g(u)]du = f (u)du+ g(u)du
Z Z
n un+1 1
u du = + C (n 6= −1) du = ln |u| + C
Z n + 1 Z u
au
eu du = eu + C u
a du = +C
Z Z ln a
sin udu = − cos u + C cos udu = sin u + C
Z Z
sec2 udu = tan u + C csc2 udu = − cot u + C
Z Z
sec u tan udu = sec u + C csc u cot udu = − csc u + C
Z Z
1 1
du = arctan u + C √ du = arcsin u + C
1 + u2 1 − u2

 
x2 + 1 = u
 
Z  d(x2 + 1) = du  Z Z
 = eu 1 du = 1 eu du = 1 eu + C = 1 ex2 +1 + C
2  
13. xex +1 dx = 
 2xdx = du


 2 2 2 2
 1 
xdx = du
2

 
Z x+1=u Z Z
√ √
(u3/2 − u1/2 )du
 
14. x x + 1dx =  d(x + 1) = du  = (u − 1) udu =
dx = du
u3/2+1 u1/2+1 2 2
= − + C = (x + 1)5/2 − (x + 1)3/2 + C
3/2 + 1 1/2 + 1 5 3

 
2x + 3 = u
Z  d(2x + 3) = du  Z u−3   Z Z
x+5   2
+5 1 u − 3 + 10 u+7
15. dx =  2dx = du
  = du = du = du
2x + 3 

 u 2 4u 4u
1
dx = du
2
Z Z Z Z
u 7 1 7 1 1 7 1 7
= du + du = du + du = u + ln |u| + C = (2x + 3) + ln |2x + 3| + C
4u 4u 4 4 u 4 4 4 4

Z Z
2x + 1 x+1
16. (a) 2
dx (b) dx
x +x+1 x2 +x+1

5
Section 5.5 The Substitution Rule 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

Table Of Indefinite Integrals

Z Z Z Z Z
cf (u)du = c f (u)du [f (u)+g(u)]du = f (u)du+ g(u)du
Z Z
un+1 1
un du = + C (n 6= −1) du = ln |u| + C
Z n+1 Z u
u u u au
e du = e + C a du = +C
Z Z ln a
sin udu = − cos u + C cos udu = sin u + C
Z Z
sec2 udu = tan u + C csc2 udu = − cot u + C
Z Z
sec u tan udu = sec u + C csc u cot udu = − csc u + C
Z Z
1 1
2
du = arctan u + C √ du = arcsin u + C
1+u 1 − u2

 
Z x2 + x + 1 = u Z
2x + 1 1
du = ln |u| + C = ln(x2 + x + 1) + C
 2 
16(a). 2
dx =  d(x + x + 1) = du  =
x +x+1 u
(2x + 1)dx = du
 1 
x+ =u
Z
x+1
Z
x+1   2   Z u− 1 +1
16(b). dx =


2 3 dx =  d x + 1 
= 2
du
2
x +x+1 1
x+ 2 + 4  = du  u 2+ 3
2 4
dx = du
Z 1 Z Z  
u+ 2 u 1 1 1 2 3 1 2u
= 2 3 du = 2 3 du +  √ 2 du = ln u + + √ arctan √ + C
u +4 u +4 2 3 2 4 3 3
u2 + 2
1 1 2x + 1
= ln(x2 + x + 1) + √ arctan √ + C (For more details, see Appendix I)
2 3 3
Z Z Z   Z Z
dx dx 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
17. 2
= = + dx = dx + dx
1−x (1 − x)(1 + x) 2 1−x 1+x 2 1−x 2 1+x

1 1 1 1+x
= − ln |1 − x| + ln |1 + x| + C = ln +C (For more details, see Appendix II)
2 2 2 1−x
√  
x/ 2 = u
Z Z Z Z  √ 
1 1 1 1 1 1  d(x/ 2) = du 
 
18. 2
dx = x 2
dx = x 2 dx =  2 dx =  √ 
2+x 2 1+ 2 2 1+ 2 2 x  dx/ 2 = du 
1+ √  
2 √
√ Z dx = 2du
Z √
1 1 2 1 1 1 x
= 2
2du = 2
du = √ arctan u + C = √ arctan √ + C
2 1+u 2 1+u 2 2 2
Z
19. e−x dx

6
Section 5.5 The Substitution Rule 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

Table Of Indefinite Integrals

Z Z Z Z Z
cf (u)du = c f (u)du [f (u)+g(u)]du = f (u)du+ g(u)du
Z Z
n un+1 1
u du = + C (n 6= −1) du = ln |u| + C
Z n + 1 Z u
au
eu du = eu + C u
a du = +C
Z Z ln a
sin udu = − cos u + C cos udu = sin u + C
Z Z
sec2 udu = tan u + C csc2 udu = − cot u + C
Z Z
sec u tan udu = sec u + C csc u cot udu = − csc u + C
Z Z
1 1 u 1 u
2 2
du = arctan + C √ du = arcsin + C
a +u a a 2
a −u 2 a

 
−x = u
Z   Z Z
 d(−x) = du 
19. e−x dx =   = eu (−du) = − eu du = −eu + C = −e−x + C
 −dx = du 
 
dx = −du

 
2 − 5x = u
 
Z  d(2 − 5x) = du  Z   Z
 = sin u − 1 du = − 1 sin udu
 
20. sin(2 − 5x)dx = 
 −5dx = du


 5 5
 1 
dx = − du
5

1 1
= − (− cos u) + C = cos(2 − 5x) + C
5 5

Z
21. sin(2x)dx

7
Section 5.5 The Substitution Rule 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

   
Z Z sin x = u Z 2x = u
   
sin(2x)dx = 2 sin x cos xdx =  d(sin x) = du  = 2udu Z  d(2x) = du  Z  
  1
cos xdx = du  2dx = du  = sin u 2 du
sin(2x)dx =  
 
 1 
dx = du
2
= u2 + C = sin2 x + C
Z
1 1 1
= sin udu = (− cos u) + C = − cos(2x) + C
2 2 2

THEOREM (The Substitution Rule for Definite Integrals): If g ′ is continuous on [a, b] and f is continuous
on the range of u = g(x), then
Zb Zg(b)
f (g(x))g ′ (x)dx = f (u)du
a g(a)

Zπ/4
22. Find sin(2x)dx.
0

INCORRECT!!!:
 
Zπ/4 Zπ/4 sin x = u Zπ/4
sin(2x)dx = 2 sin x cos xdx =  d(sin x) = du  = 2udu
0 0 cos xdx = du 0

iπ/4 iπ/4 π  √ !2
2 1
= u2 = sin2 x = sin2 − sin2 0 = − 02 =
0 0 4 2 2

METHOD 1:
 
Z Z sin x = u Z
sin(2x)dx = 2 sin x cos xdx = d(sin x) = du = 2udu = u2 + C = sin2 x + C
 
cos xdx = du

Zπ/4 iπ/4 π  √ !2
2 1
Therefore sin(2x)dx = sin2 x = sin2 − sin2 0 = − 02 = .
0 4 2 2
0

METHOD 2:
 
Zπ/4 Zπ/4 sin x = u sin(π/4)
Z i√2/2 √ !2
2 1
sin(2x)dx = 2 sin x cos xdx =  d(sin x) = du  = 2udu = u2 = − 02 =
0 2 2
0 0 cos xdx = du sin 0

8
Section 5.5 The Substitution Rule 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

 
x3 + 8 = u
Z4 4Z3 +8 Z72
 d(x3 + 8) = du   72
1 u3
21 1 1
x2 (x3 + 8)2 dx =  2
= 723 = 41, 472
 
23. 3x2 dx = du = u du = u du =
  3 3 3 3 0 9
1 (−2)3 +8 0
−2
x2 dx = du
3
 
2x2 + 1 = u
Z2 d(2x 2
+ 1) = du Z2 +1
2·2 Z9  9
x 


 −1/2 1 1 −1/2 1 u1/2 3 1
24. √ dx =  4xdx = du = u du = u du = = − =1
2
2x + 1   4 4 4 1/2 1 2 2
0 1 2·02 +1 1
xdx = du
4
 √ 
x√+ 1 = u
√
Z9  d( x + 1) = du  Z9+1 Z4  4
1   2 1 1
 1  −2 −2
25. √ √ 2
dx =  √ dx = du = u 2du = 2 u du = − =− +1=
x( x + 1)  2 x  √ u 2 2 2
1  1  1+1 2
√ dx = 2du
x
 
2−x=u
Z2  2−u=x  Z2−2 Z2−2
√   √ √
26. (x − 1) 2 − xdx =   d(2 − x) = du =
 −[(2 − u) − 1] udu = −[1 − u] udu
1
 −dx = du  2−1 2−1
dx = (−1)du
Z2−2 Z0
√
= [u − 1] udu = (u3/2 − u1/2 )du
2−1 1
 0 
2 2 2 2 4
= u5/2 − u3/2 =− − =
5 3 1 5 3 15
 
1
2x + 1 = u ⇒ x = (u − 1) 
Z4 
 2  2·4+1
Z Z9
x d(2x + 1) = du 1 −1/2 1 1
(u1/2 − u−1/2 )du
 
27. √ dx =  = (u − 1)u du =
2x + 1  2dx = du  2 2 4
0  1  2·0+1 1
dx = du
2
 9
1 u3/2 u1/2 10
= − = ≈ 3.333
4 3/2 1/2 1 3
 
θ
= u ⇒ θ = 6u
Z3 
θ
  6   Z3/6 Z1/2 Z1/2
28. θ + cos

dθ =  θ 
= (6u + cos u) 6du = 36 udu + 6 cos udu
6  d = du 
0
6 0/6 0 0
dθ = 6du
 1/2
u2
= 36 + 6 [sin u]1/2
0 ≈ 7.377
2 0

9
Section 5.5 The Substitution Rule 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

Appendix I
Z
x+1
To find dx, we first rewrite the denominator as
x2 + x + 1
 2  2  2  2
2 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1
x + x + 1 = x + 2x · + 1 = x + 2x · + − +1= x+ − +1
2 2 2 2 2 2
 2  2
1 1 1 3
= x+ − +1= x+ +
2 4 2 4
We have
1  
x + = u
Z
x+1
Z
x+1   2   Z u− 1 +1
dx =


2 3 dx =  d x + 1 
= 2
du
2
x +x+1 1
x+ 2 + 4  = du  u 2+ 3
2 4
dx = du
Z Z Z Z Z
u + 21 u 1 1 u 1 1
= 2 3 du = 2 3 du + 2 3 du = 2 3 du +  √ 2 du
u +4 u +4 2 u +4 u +4 2
u2 + 23
Note that
 
2 3
u + =v

  4  

Z  3  1Z 1  
u  2
d u + = dv  1 1 2 3
2 3 du =  4 =
 2
dv = ln |v| + C = ln u + +C
u +4  v 2 2 4
 2udu = dv 
 1 
udu = dv
2
and
 u 
=v
 a  
Z Z Z  u  Z
1 1 1 1  d = dv
= 1 1

du =
du =
du =  a adv
u2 + a2 a2 u2
+1 a2 u 2  1  a2 2
v +1
a2 a
+1  du = dv 
 a 
du = adv
Z
1 1 1 1 u
= dv = arctan v + C = arctan + C
a v2 +1 a a a
hence Z  
1 2 2u
 √ 2 du = √ arctan √ +C
u2 + 3 3 3
2

Therefore
Z Z Z    
x+1 u 1 1 1 2 3 1 2 2u
dx = du +  √ 2 du = ln u + + · √ arctan √ +C
x2 + x + 1 u2 + 43 2
u2 + 23
2 4 2 3 3

1 1 2x + 1
= ln(x2 + x + 1) + √ arctan √ +C
2 3 3

10
Section 5.5 The Substitution Rule 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

Appendix II
Z
dx
To find , we first note that
1 − x2
 
1 1 1 1 1
2
= = +
1−x (1 − x)(1 + x) 2 1−x 1+x
Indeed,
   
1 1 1 1 1+x 1−x 1 1+x+1−x
+ = + = ·
2 1−x 1+x 2 (1 − x)(1 + x) (1 − x)(1 + x) 2 (1 − x)(1 + x)
1 2
= ·
2 (1 − x)(1 + x)
1
=
(1 − x)(1 + x)
Therefore Z Z   Z Z
dx 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2
= + dx = dx + dx
1−x 2 1−x 1+x 2 1−x 2 1+x
We have
 
1−x=u
Z   Z
1  d(1 − x) = du
 = − 1 du = − ln |u| + C = − ln |1 − x| + C

dx = 
1−x  −dx = du


 u
dx = −du

and
 
Z 1+x=u Z
1   1
dx =  d(1 + x) = du  = du = ln |u| + C = ln |1 + x| + C
1+x u
dx = du

It follows that
Z Z Z
dx 1 1 1 1
2
== dx + dx
1−x 2 1−x 2 1+x

1 1
= − ln |1 − x| + ln |1 + x| + C
2 2
1
= (− ln |1 − x| + ln |1 + x|) + C
2

1 1+x
= ln +C
2 1−x

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Section 5.5 The Substitution Rule 2010 Kiryl Tsishchanka

Appendix III
EXAMPLE: Find
Z1 √ Z1 √
x+1 x
(a) √ dx (b) √ dx
x 1+ x
0 0

Solution:
(a) We have

Z1 √ Z1  √  Z1  1  1
x+1 x 1 −1/2

x−1/2+1 x1/2
√ dx = √ +√ dx = 1+x dx = x + = x+
x x x −1/2 + 1 0 1/2 0
0 0 0

 √ 1  √   √ 
= x+2 x 0 = 1+2 1 − 0+2 0 =3

(b) We have
 √ √ 
Z1 √ 1+ x = u =⇒ x = u − 1 =⇒ x = (u − 1)2 1+
√
Z 1
x   u−1
√ dx =  dx = d(u − 1)2  = · 2(u − 1)du
1+ x  
√
u
0 dx = 2(u − 1)du 1+ 0

Z2 Z2 Z2   Z2  
(u − 1)2 u2 − 2u + 1 u2 2u 1 1
=2 du = 2 du = 2 − + du = 2 u−2+ du
u u u u u u
1 1 1 1

 2  2   2 
u2 2 1
=2 − 2u + ln |u| = 2 − 2 · 2 + ln 2 − − 2 · 1 + ln 1
2 1 2 2
    
1 1
= 2 (2 − 4 + ln 2) − −2+0 = 2 ln 2 − = 2 ln 2 − 1
2 2

We can apply the u-substitution in a bit different way:

 √ √ 
1 + x = u =⇒ x = u − 1
 √ 
 d(1 + x) = du  √
Z1 √ 

 1+
 Z 1
x  1  u−1
√ dx =  √ dx = du = · 2(u − 1)du = [by the above] = 2 ln 2 − 1
1+ x  2 x  u
 dx = 2√xdu
  1+ 0√
0

 
dx = 2(u − 1)du

REMARK: Problem (b) was given in Fall 2013 (Calculus II, quiz 1). Nobody solved this problem correctly.

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