for my homework it says use symbolic integration utiltiy to find the indefinite integral...
whats that mean?

Question

anonymous · Answer

The term symbolic is used to distinguish this problem from that of numerical integration, where the value of F at a particular input or set of inputs, rather than a general formula for F, is sought.

anonymous · Answer

in general , it just mean "indefinite integral"

anonymous · Answer

do you have an example of the problem?

anonymous · Answer

find the indefinite integral of x^3/(1-x^4)^(1/2)

anonymous · Answer

$$ \int\limits_{}{x} ^{3}/\sqrt{1-x^{4}} dx$$

anonymous · Answer

substitution:
u=1-x^4
then du=-4*x^3 dx

try it

anonymous · Answer

whats that suppose to be?

anonymous · Answer

x^3 dx =1/4  du

right?

anonymous · Answer

i did it

anonymous · Answer

i got -1/2(1-x^4)^1/2 +C

anonymous · Answer

sorry i didnt respont i was looking throug my notes

anonymous · Answer

$$=-1/4 \int\limits_{ }^{}du/u ^{1/2}=-1/4 * 2/3 * u ^{3/2}=$$

anonymous · Answer

yes i did that

anonymous · Answer

=-1/6 (1-x^4) ^3/2  + const

anonymous · Answer

its not 3/2 because its -1/2

anonymous · Answer

oups... you are right!

anonymous · Answer

the square root was originally to the bottom sorry if i didnt make it clear

anonymous · Answer

thank you ! your help is greatly appreciated :)

anonymous · Answer

so I got:
-1/2 (1-x^4)^1/2  + const
right?

anonymous · Answer

:)

anonymous · Answer

okay lol