Which method of integration do you use?

The methods of integrating an expression are: 1) directly writing it down (either by memory or by looking in the formula book); 2) writing the expression in partial fractions; 3) using the method of integration by parts; 4) using a substitution; 5) using a trigonometric identity (such as

sin 2 x = 1 (1 cos 2 x) or cos 2 x = 1 (1 + cos 2 x) ) 2 2

First look to see if the question tells you (or gives you a hint) about which method of integration you should be using!! First look to see if the integral is easy to work out: Is it one that you should remember (see my sheet) or is it one in the formula book? Also is the integral easier to work out than it looks e.g. If you are asked to integrate an algebraic fraction of the form

5x + 2 dx x

ax + b or (cx + d )(ex + f )

ax 2 + bx + c , you could try writing it in (dx + e) 2 ( fx + g )

partial fractions. (Note: you might be asked in the first part of the question to express it in partial fractions) Examples are:

Other quotients (where the denominator cannot be factorised into linear factors) can usually be integrated using a substitution. Examples are:

(2 x + 1)( x 2) dx x(4 x)dx

4+ x

x dx put u = x 2 + 1 +1 sin x put u = cos x cos x 2x +1 dx put u = x 2 + x 1 2 ( x + x 1)2

Use a substitution if you have to integrate a product of two functions in the form f '( x ) gf ( x) . Substitute u = f ( x) . Examples here are:

Use integration by parts to integrate other products, especially when one function is a simple polynomial. Examples here are:

To integrate even powers of sin x or the formulae

2 2 1 2

2 xe dx x cos( x 2)dx (cos x)e dx (2 x 5) ln( x 5 x)dx

x2 2 3 2sin x 2

xe dx (3x + 1)e dx x cos xdx 2 x ln xdx

x 2x 2 3

cos x , use

sin x = (1 cos 2 x) or

cos x = 1 (1 + cos 2 x) . 2
Examples are:
4 cos xdx

To integrate odd powers of sin x or cos x , start by using the formula sin 2 x + cos 2 x = 1 and then use a substitution. Examples are:

sin

xdx

cos xdx sin xdx

5 3