Problem 362
Evaluate the integral: I = integral (x³)/(sqrt(1+2x²)) dx
Evaluate the integral: $$ I = \int \frac{x^3}{\sqrt{1+2x^2}}\,dx. $$
Explanation of Method
The substitution $u=1+2x^2$ turns $x^3\,dx=x^2\cdot x\,dx$ into $\tfrac14(u-1)\,du$ over $\sqrt u$, a direct power-rule integral.
- Substitute $u=1+2x^2$.
- Integrate using the power rule.
- Back-substitute.
Step 1 · Substitute
Let $u=1+2x^2$, so $du=4x\,dx$ and $x^2=(u-1)/2$:
$$ I = \int\frac{x^2\cdot x\,dx}{\sqrt u} = \frac18\int\frac{u-1}{\sqrt u}\,du = \frac18\int\left(u^{1/2}-u^{-1/2}\right)du. $$
Step 2 · Integrate
$$ I = \frac18\left[\frac{2u^{3/2}}3-2u^{1/2}\right] + C = \frac{u^{3/2}}{12} - \frac{u^{1/2}}4 + C. $$
Step 3 · Back-substitute
With $u=1+2x^2$, factoring out $\sqrt u/12$:
Summary Table
| Piece | Antiderivative |
|---|---|
| $u^{1/2}/8$ | $u^{3/2}/12$ |
| $-u^{-1/2}/8$ | $-u^{1/2}/4$ |
Additional Notes
- The domain is all real $x$, since $1+2x^2>0$ everywhere.
- The result was verified by differentiation at $x=1$: the derivative matches the integrand $x^3/\sqrt{1+2x^2}$ exactly.
Result
The solution to the integral is:
$$ I = \frac{\left(x^2-1\right)\sqrt{1+2x^2}}6 + C. $$