Question

how can you put this is wolfram alpha using trigonometric substitution?

Answer 1

\[\int\limits \frac{ x ^{2} }{ (x ^{2} +a ^{2})^{3/2}}dx\]

Answer 2

Wolfram no longer allows viewing steps for free to the solution :(
Gotta get a premium membership, it's so lame.

So you wouldn't be able to see the steps using a trig sub on the ole Wolf.

Answer 3

its ok i just need to know the answer, do you know how can i put it in?

Answer 4

Wolfram can interpret words moderately well.
Just tell it what you want it to do.
Gotta be careful with brackets also.

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=integral+of+x%5E2%2F%28%28x%5E2%2Ba%5E2%29%5E%283%2F2%29%29

Answer 5

Look at the search box if you want to see how I input it.

Answer 6

but it says is wrong are you sure this is trigonometric substitution?

Answer 7

It doesn't matter what type of substitution was used XD
It will give the same answer regardless.

Did you use the correct log? Natural log.

Answer 8

It's great if you know how to use Wolframalpha to check solutions, but I really don't think Wolframalpha or any other online calculator should be used in place of learning the ropes of trig substitution. If necessary, let Wolfram come up with trig identities, but try doing the work yourself.

Answer 9

Taking a look at your integral, I'd immediately choose to use the substitution x=a tan theta. The rest is pretty straightforward.

Answer 10

Yah I would really hope that you're using it to "check" your work.
Not just come up with answers.

Answer 11

I'm so upset, you can't see the steps anymore :\. They just changed it recently to right?

Answer 12

Yah :( weak sauce...
I might actually sign up for a membership, the wolf is too useful.

Answer 13

Or maybe I should get a copy of Mathmatica and try to learn it :p

Answer 14

Yeah I agree :S, I remember when you had like 2 or 3 uses a day which was perfect.

Answer 15

\[x ^{2}=a ^{2}\tan ^{2}\theta; dx=a \sec ^{2} \theta; a ^{2}+a ^{2}\tan ^{2}\theta=a ^{2}\sec ^2 \theta\]

Answer 16

Lol that would be nice :D

Answer 17

Wouldn't it actually be easier, and require less time, to do this problem the old fashioned way, instead of wishing that Mathematica or Wolfram would show every step?

Answer 18

I learned this trig substitution 50 years ago and it's never failed me.

Answer 19

It's always nice to have a way to check your work.
Teachers often assign problems that don't show up in the answer key of the book :P

But ya if he's just cheating he can go ... eat a stick.. or something +_+

Answer 20

I used it to check work

Answer 21

Yeah what zep said Xd

Answer 22

youarebatman >.<

Answer 23

It's very useful when you especially are checking for long derivatives

Answer 24

I think powerful software such as Matlab, Mathematica and Wolframalpha are of max use after one has actually mastered the mathematics involved. I'm an old timer, I guess. I have great respect for all this software, but use it primarily to save calculation time, not because I don't know the material.

Anyway: good discussion. Hope you can successfully finish that trig subst. problem ... the old fashioned way! :)