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Thread: Integration

  1. #1

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    Integration

    Find the value of the real number k, given that

    |k
    |
    | 1/ x^2 - 4x + 5 = pi/4
    |
    |0

    k and zero are the limits as seen above

    i am getting as far as.......[tan^(-1) k - 2] - [tan^(-2)] = pi/4
    is this right???? and can anyone find the value of k for me????

    cheers

  2. #2
    vbuggy krtxmrtz's Avatar
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    Re: Integration

    Quote Originally Posted by sparky69er
    Find the value of the real number k, given that

    |k
    |
    | 1/ x^2 - 4x + 5 = pi/4
    |
    |0

    k and zero are the limits as seen above

    i am getting as far as.......[tan^(-1) k - 2] - [tan^(-2)] = pi/4
    is this right???? and can anyone find the value of k for me????

    cheers
    Is it enclosed in a parenthesis, i.e.

    1/ (x2 - 4x + 5) ?
    Lottery is a tax on people who are bad at maths
    If only mosquitoes sucked fat instead of blood...
    To do is to be (Descartes). To be is to do (Sartre). To be do be do (Sinatra)

  3. #3
    vbuggy krtxmrtz's Avatar
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    Re: Integration

    Quote Originally Posted by krtxmrtz
    Is it enclosed in a parenthesis, i.e.

    1/ (x2 - 4x + 5) ?
    I assumed yes and got the same result,

    Integral = tan-1(k - 2) - tan-1(-2)

    Now, use a well known formula from trigonometry:

    tan(x - y) = (tan x - tan y) / (1 + tan x tan y)

    If you now define A and B such that

    x = tan-1A
    y = tan-1B
    A = tan x
    B = tan y

    then substituting,

    tan(x - y) = tan(tan-1A - tan-1B) = (A - B) / (1 + AB)
    and
    tan-1A - tan-1B = tan-1[(A - B) / (1 + AB)]

    You now apply this formula to your result:

    Pi / 4 = tan-1(k - 2) - tan-1(-2) = tan-1[(k - 2 + 2) / (1 - 2(k - 2)] = tan-1[k / (5 - 2k)]

    Then,

    tan(Pi / 4) = 1 = tan{tan-1[k / (5 - 2k)]} = k / (5 - 2k)

    Therefore you finally arrive at

    5 - 2k = k and k = 5 / 3
    Lottery is a tax on people who are bad at maths
    If only mosquitoes sucked fat instead of blood...
    To do is to be (Descartes). To be is to do (Sartre). To be do be do (Sinatra)

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