Definite Integration
Definite Integrals with substitution
Grade 12

Question:

<p>If \(I = \displaystyle\int_{-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}}^{\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}} \sqrt{\frac{1-x}{1+x}}\,\sin^{-1}x\,dx = \frac{\pi}{M} - \sqrt{N}\), find the value of \((M+N)\).</p>

Step-by-Step Solution

Key Concept: Recognize that the integrand f(x) = √[(1-x)/(1+x)]·sin⁻¹(x) is an odd function (product of even and odd functions), so the integral over a symmetric interval [-a,a] equals zero. This transforms the problem into finding M and N from the given form.
Step 1: Rewrite the integrand. The integrand is $\sqrt{\frac{1-x}{1+x}}\,\sin^{-1}x$. To simplify the square root term, multiply the numerator and denominator by $\sqrt{1-x}$: $$ \sqrt{\frac{1-x}{1+x}} = \sqrt{\frac{(1-x)(1-x)}{(1+x)(1-x)}} = \sqrt{\frac{(1-x)^2}{1-x^2}} = \frac{|1-x|}{\sqrt{1-x^2}} $$ For the given integration interval $[-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}, \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}]$, we have $1-x > 0$, so $|1-x| = 1-x$. Thus, the integrand becomes $\frac{1-x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\,\sin^{-1}x$. The integral $I$ can be split into two parts: $$ I = \int_{-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}}^{\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}} \left(\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^2}} - \frac{x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\right)\sin^{-1}x\,dx $$ $$ I = \int_{-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}}^{\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}} \frac{\sin^{-1}x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\,dx - \int_{-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}}^{\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}} \frac{x\sin^{-1}x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\,dx $$ Step 2: Analyze the parity of the terms. Let $f_1(x) = \frac{\sin^{-1}x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}$. $$ f_1(-x) = \frac{\sin^{-1}(-x)}{\sqrt{1-(-x)^2}} = \frac{-\sin^{-1}x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}} = -f_1(x) $$ Thus, $f_1(x)$ is an odd function. For an odd function integrated over a symmetric interval $[-a, a]$, the integral is zero: $$ \int_{-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}}^{\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}} f_1(x)\,dx = 0 $$ Let $f_2(x) = \frac{x\sin^{-1}x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}$. $$ f_2(-x) = \frac{(-x)\sin^{-1}(-x)}{\sqrt{1-(-x)^2}} = \frac{(-x)(-\sin^{-1}x)}{\sqrt{1-x^2}} = \frac{x\sin^{-1}x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}} = f_2(x) $$ Thus, $f_2(x)$ is an even function. For an even function integrated over a symmetric interval $[-a, a]$, the integral is twice the integral from $0$ to $a$: $$ \int_{-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}}^{\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}} f_2(x)\,dx = 2\int_0^{\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}} f_2(x)\,dx $$ Therefore, the integral $I$ simplifies to: $$ I = 0 - 2\int_0^{\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}} \frac{x\sin^{-1}x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\,dx $$ Step 3: Evaluate the definite integral. Consider the integral $J = \int_0^{\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}} \frac{x\sin^{-1}x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\,dx$. Let $u = \sin^{-1}x$. Then $du = \frac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\,dx$. Also, $x = \sin u$. The limits of integration change as follows: When $x=0$, $u=\sin^{-1}(0)=0$. When $x=\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$, $u=\sin^{-1}\left(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)=\frac{\pi}{3}$. Substituting these into the integral $J$: $$ J = \int_0^{\frac{\pi}{3}} u \sin u\,du $$ Now, integrate by parts using the formula $\int p\,dq = pq - \int q\,dp$. Let $p=u$ and $dq=\sin u\,du$. Then $dp=du$ and $q=-\cos u$. $$ J = \left[-u\cos u\right]_0^{\frac{\pi}{3}} - \int_0^{\frac{\pi}{3}} (-\cos u)\,du $$ $$ J = \left[-u\cos u\right]_0^{\frac{\pi}{3}} + \int_0^{\frac{\pi}{3}} \cos u\,du $$ $$ J = \left[\left(-\frac{\pi}{3}\cos\frac{\pi}{3}\right) - (-0\cos 0)\right] + \left[\sin u\right]_0^{\frac{\pi}{3}} $$ $$ J = \left[-\frac{\pi}{3}\cdot\frac{1}{2} - 0\right] + \left[\sin\frac{\pi}{3} - \sin 0\right] $$ $$ J = -\frac{\pi}{6} + \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} - 0 $$ $$ J = -\frac{\pi}{6} + \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} $$ Step 4: Determine the value of $I$ and find $M$ and $N$. From Step 2, $I = -2J$. $$ I = -2\left(-\frac{\pi}{6} + \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right) $$ $$ I = \frac{2\pi}{6} - 2\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} $$ $$ I = \frac{\pi}{3} - \sqrt{3} $$ The problem states that $I = \frac{\pi}{M} - \sqrt{N}$. Comparing our result with the given form: $$ \frac{\pi}{3} - \sqrt{3} = \frac{\pi}{M} - \sqrt{N} $$ By inspection, $M=3$ and $N=3$. Step 5: Calculate $(M+N)$. $$ M+N = 3+3 = 6 $$
Correct Answer: 6

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