Problem 283
Evaluate the integral: I = integral (sqrt x+1)/(sqrt x-1)
Evaluate the integral: $$ I = \int \frac{\sqrt x+1}{\sqrt x-1}\,dx. $$
Explanation of Method
Substituting $u=\sqrt x$ clears the square root, and polynomial long division reduces the resulting improper rational function to a polynomial plus a simple log term.
- Substitute $u=\sqrt x$.
- Divide $u(u+1)$ by $(u-1)$.
- Integrate term by term.
- Back-substitute.
Step 1 · Substitute
Let $u=\sqrt x$, so $x=u^2$ and $dx=2u\,du$:
$$ I = \int\frac{u+1}{u-1}\cdot2u\,du = 2\int\frac{u^2+u}{u-1}\,du. $$
Step 2 · Divide
$$ \frac{u^2+u}{u-1} = u+2+\frac2{u-1}. $$
Step 3 · Integrate and back-substitute
$$ 2\int\left(u+2+\frac2{u-1}\right)du = u^2+4u+4\ln|u-1|+C. $$
$$ I = x + 4\sqrt x + 4\ln\left|\sqrt x-1\right| + C. $$
Summary Table
| Piece | Antiderivative |
|---|---|
| $u+2$ | $u^2/2+2u$ |
| $2/(u-1)$ | $2\ln|u-1|$ |
Additional Notes
- The domain requires $x\geq0,\ x\neq1$.
- The result was verified by differentiation: $\dfrac{d}{dx}\left[x+4\sqrt x+4\ln|\sqrt x-1|\right] = 1+\dfrac2{\sqrt x}+\dfrac2{\sqrt x(\sqrt x-1)} = 1+\dfrac2{\sqrt x-1} = \dfrac{\sqrt x+1}{\sqrt x-1}$, matching the integrand.
Result
The solution to the integral is:
$$ I = x + 4\sqrt x + 4\ln\left|\sqrt x-1\right| + C. $$