Learning Objectives

Integrate functions resulting in inverse trigonometric functions

In this section we focus on integrals that result in inverse trigonometric functions. We have worked with these functions before. Recall from Functions and Graphs that trigonometric functions are not one-to-one unless the domains are restricted. When working with inverses of trigonometric functions, we always need to be careful to take these restrictions into account. Also in Derivatives, we developed formulas for derivatives of inverse trigonometric functions. The formulas developed there give rise directly to integration formulas involving inverse trigonometric functions.

Integrals that Result in Inverse Sine Functions

Let us begin this last section of the chapter with the three formulas. Along with these formulas, we use substitution to evaluate the integrals. We prove the formula for the inverse sine integral.

Rule: Integration Formulas Resulting in Inverse Trigonometric Functions

The following integration formulas yield inverse trigonometric functions:

$\int \frac{du}{\sqrt{{a}^{2}-{u}^{2}}}={ \sin }^{-1}\frac{u}{a}+C$
$\int \frac{du}{{a}^{2}+{u}^{2}}=\frac{1}{a}\phantom{\rule{0.05em}{0ex}}{ \tan }^{-1}\frac{u}{a}+C$
$\int \frac{du}{u\sqrt{{u}^{2}-{a}^{2}}}=\frac{1}{a}\phantom{\rule{0.05em}{0ex}}{ \sec }^{-1}\frac{u}{a}+C$

Proof

Let $y={ \sin }^{-1}\frac{x}{a}.$ Then $a \sin y=x.$ Now let’s use implicit differentiation. We obtain

$\begin{array}{ccc}\hfill \frac{d}{dx}(a \sin y)& =\hfill & \frac{d}{dx}(x)\hfill \\ \\ \hfill a \cos y\frac{dy}{dx}& =\hfill & 1\hfill \\ \hfill \frac{dy}{dx}& =\hfill & \frac{1}{a \cos y}.\hfill \end{array}$

For $-\frac{\pi }{2}\le y\le \frac{\pi }{2}, \cos y\ge 0.$ Thus, applying the Pythagorean identity ${ \sin }^{2}y+{ \cos }^{2}y=1,$ we have $\cos y=\sqrt{1={ \sin }^{2}y}.$ This gives

$\begin{array}{cc}\frac{1}{a \cos y}\hfill & =\frac{1}{a\sqrt{1-{ \sin }^{2}y}}\hfill \\ \\ & =\frac{1}{\sqrt{{a}^{2}-{a}^{2}{ \sin }^{2}y}}\hfill \\ & =\frac{1}{\sqrt{{a}^{2}-{x}^{2}}}.\hfill \end{array}$

Then for $\text{−}a\le x\le a,$ we have

$\int \frac{1}{\sqrt{{a}^{2}-{u}^{2}}}du={ \sin }^{-1}(\frac{u}{a})+C.$

□

Evaluating a Definite Integral Using Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Evaluate the definite integral ${\int }_{0}^{1}\frac{dx}{\sqrt{1-{x}^{2}}}.$

We can go directly to the formula for the antiderivative in the rule on integration formulas resulting in inverse trigonometric functions, and then evaluate the definite integral. We have

$\begin{array}{}\\ \\ {\int }_{0}^{1}\frac{dx}{\sqrt{1-{x}^{2}}}\hfill & ={ \sin }^{-1}x{|}_{0}^{1}\hfill \\ & ={ \sin }^{-1}1-{ \sin }^{-1}0\hfill \\ & =\frac{\pi }{2}-0\hfill \\ & =\frac{\pi }{2}.\hfill \end{array}$

Find the antiderivative of $\int \frac{dx}{\sqrt{1-16{x}^{2}}}.$

Show Solution

$\frac{1}{4}\phantom{\rule{0.05em}{0ex}}{ \sin }^{-1}(4x)+C$

Hint

Substitute $u=4x$

Finding an Antiderivative Involving an Inverse Trigonometric Function

Evaluate the integral $\int \frac{dx}{\sqrt{4-9{x}^{2}}}.$

Substitute $u=3x.$ Then $du=3dx$ and we have

$\int \frac{dx}{\sqrt{4-9{x}^{2}}}=\frac{1}{3}\int \frac{du}{\sqrt{4-{u}^{2}}}.$

Applying the formula with $a=2,$ we obtain

$\begin{array}{cc}\int \frac{dx}{\sqrt{4-9{x}^{2}}}\hfill & =\frac{1}{3}\int \frac{du}{\sqrt{4-{u}^{2}}}\hfill \\ \\ & =\frac{1}{3}{ \sin }^{-1}(\frac{u}{2})+C\hfill \\ & =\frac{1}{3}{ \sin }^{-1}(\frac{3x}{2})+C.\hfill \end{array}$

Find the indefinite integral using an inverse trigonometric function and substitution for $\int \frac{dx}{\sqrt{9-{x}^{2}}}.$

Show Solution

${ \sin }^{-1}(\frac{x}{3})+C$

Hint

Use the formula in the rule on integration formulas resulting in inverse trigonometric functions.

Evaluating a Definite Integral

Evaluate the definite integral ${\int }_{0}^{\sqrt{3}\text{/}2}\frac{du}{\sqrt{1-{u}^{2}}}.$

Show Solution

The format of the problem matches the inverse sine formula. Thus,

$\begin{array}{}\\ \\ {\int }_{0}^{\sqrt{3}\text{/}2}\frac{du}{\sqrt{1-{u}^{2}}}\hfill & ={ \sin }^{-1}u{|}_{0}^{\sqrt{3}\text{/}2}\hfill \\ & =\left[{ \sin }^{-1}(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2})\right]-\left[{ \sin }^{-1}(0)\right]\hfill \\ & =\frac{\pi }{3}.\hfill \end{array}$

Integrals Resulting in Other Inverse Trigonometric Functions

There are six inverse trigonometric functions. However, only three integration formulas are noted in the rule on integration formulas resulting in inverse trigonometric functions because the remaining three are negative versions of the ones we use. The only difference is whether the integrand is positive or negative. Rather than memorizing three more formulas, if the integrand is negative, simply factor out −1 and evaluate the integral using one of the formulas already provided. To close this section, we examine one more formula: the integral resulting in the inverse tangent function.

Finding an Antiderivative Involving the Inverse Tangent Function

Find an antiderivative of $\int \frac{1}{1+4{x}^{2}}dx.$

Show Solution

Comparing this problem with the formulas stated in the rule on integration formulas resulting in inverse trigonometric functions, the integrand looks similar to the formula for ${ \tan }^{-1}u+C.$ So we use substitution, letting $u=2x,$ then $du=2dx$ and $1\text{/}2du=dx.$ Then, we have

$\frac{1}{2}\int \frac{1}{1+{u}^{2}}du=\frac{1}{2}\phantom{\rule{0.05em}{0ex}}{ \tan }^{-1}u+C=\frac{1}{2}\phantom{\rule{0.05em}{0ex}}{ \tan }^{-1}(2x)+C.$

Use substitution to find the antiderivative of $\int \frac{dx}{25+4{x}^{2}}.$

Show Solution

$\frac{1}{10}\phantom{\rule{0.05em}{0ex}}{ \tan }^{-1}(\frac{2x}{5})+C$

Hint

Use the solving strategy from (Figure) and the rule on integration formulas resulting in inverse trigonometric functions.

Applying the Integration Formulas

Find the antiderivative of $\int \frac{1}{9+{x}^{2}}dx.$

Apply the formula with $a=3.$ Then,

$\int \frac{dx}{9+{x}^{2}}=\frac{1}{3}\phantom{\rule{0.05em}{0ex}}{ \tan }^{-1}(\frac{x}{3})+C.$

Find the antiderivative of $\int \frac{dx}{16+{x}^{2}}.$

Show Solution

$\frac{1}{4}\phantom{\rule{0.05em}{0ex}}{ \tan }^{-1}(\frac{x}{4})+C$

Hint

Follow the steps in (Figure).

Evaluating a Definite Integral

Evaluate the definite integral ${\int }_{\sqrt{3}\text{/}3}^{\sqrt{3}}\frac{dx}{1+{x}^{2}}.$

Show Solution

Use the formula for the inverse tangent. We have

$\begin{array}{}\\ \\ {\int }_{\sqrt{3}\text{/}3}^{\sqrt{3}}\frac{dx}{1+{x}^{2}}\hfill & ={ \tan }^{-1}x{|}_{\sqrt{3}\text{/}3}^{\sqrt{3}}\hfill \\ & =\left[{ \tan }^{-1}(\sqrt{3})\right]-\left[{ \tan }^{-1}(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{3})\right]\hfill \\ & =\frac{\pi }{6}.\hfill \end{array}$

Evaluate the definite integral ${\int }_{0}^{2}\frac{dx}{4+{x}^{2}}.$

Show Solution

$\frac{\pi }{8}$

Hint

Follow the procedures from (Figure) to solve the problem.

Key Concepts

Formulas for derivatives of inverse trigonometric functions developed in Derivatives of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions lead directly to integration formulas involving inverse trigonometric functions.
Use the formulas listed in the rule on integration formulas resulting in inverse trigonometric functions to match up the correct format and make alterations as necessary to solve the problem.
Substitution is often required to put the integrand in the correct form.

Key Equations

Integrals That Produce Inverse Trigonometric Functions
$\int \frac{du}{\sqrt{{a}^{2}-{u}^{2}}}={ \sin }^{-1}(\frac{u}{a})+C$
$\int \frac{du}{{a}^{2}+{u}^{2}}=\frac{1}{a}\phantom{\rule{0.05em}{0ex}}{ \tan }^{-1}(\frac{u}{a})+C$
$\int \frac{du}{u\sqrt{{u}^{2}-{a}^{2}}}=\frac{1}{a}\phantom{\rule{0.05em}{0ex}}{ \sec }^{-1}(\frac{u}{a})+C$

In the following exercises, evaluate each integral in terms of an inverse trigonometric function.

1. ${\int }_{0}^{\sqrt{3}\text{/}2}\frac{dx}{\sqrt{1-{x}^{2}}}$

Show Solution

${ \sin }^{-1}x{|}_{0}^{\sqrt{3}\text{/}2}=\frac{\pi }{3}$

2. ${\int }_{-1\text{/}2}^{1\text{/}2}\frac{dx}{\sqrt{1-{x}^{2}}}$

3. ${\int }_{\sqrt{3}}^{1}\frac{dx}{\sqrt{1+{x}^{2}}}$

Show Solution

${ \tan }^{-1}x{|}_{\sqrt{3}}^{1}=-\frac{\pi }{12}$

4. ${\int }_{1\text{/}\sqrt{3}}^{\sqrt{3}}\frac{dx}{1+{x}^{2}}$

5. ${\int }_{1}^{\sqrt{2}}\frac{dx}{|x|\sqrt{{x}^{2}-1}}$

Show Solution

${ \sec }^{-1}x{|}_{1}^{\sqrt{2}}=\frac{\pi }{4}$

6. ${\int }_{1}^{2\text{/}\sqrt{3}}\frac{dx}{|x|\sqrt{{x}^{2}-1}}$

In the following exercises, find each indefinite integral, using appropriate substitutions.

7. $\int \frac{dx}{\sqrt{9-{x}^{2}}}$

Show Solution

${ \sin }^{-1}(\frac{x}{3})+C$

8. $\int \frac{dx}{\sqrt{1-16{x}^{2}}}$

9. $\int \frac{dx}{9+{x}^{2}}$

Show Solution

$\frac{1}{3}\phantom{\rule{0.05em}{0ex}}{ \tan }^{-1}(\frac{x}{3})+C$

10. $\int \frac{dx}{25+16{x}^{2}}$

11. $\int \frac{dx}{|x|\sqrt{{x}^{2}-9}}$

Show Solution

$\frac{1}{3}\phantom{\rule{0.05em}{0ex}}{ \sec }^{-1}(\frac{x}{3})+C$

12. $\int \frac{dx}{|x|\sqrt{4{x}^{2}-16}}$

13. Explain the relationship $\text{−}{ \cos }^{-1}t+C=\int \frac{dt}{\sqrt{1-{t}^{2}}}={ \sin }^{-1}t+C.$ Is it true, in general, that ${ \cos }^{-1}t=\text{−}{ \sin }^{-1}t?$

Show Solution

$\cos (\frac{\pi }{2}-\theta )= \sin \theta .$ So, ${ \sin }^{-1}t=\frac{\pi }{2}-{ \cos }^{-1}t.$ They differ by a constant.

14. Explain the relationship ${ \sec }^{-1}t+C=\int \frac{dt}{|t|\sqrt{{t}^{2}-1}}=\text{−}{ \csc }^{-1}t+C.$ Is it true, in general, that ${ \sec }^{-1}t=\text{−}{ \csc }^{-1}t?$

15. Explain what is wrong with the following integral: ${\int }_{1}^{2}\frac{dt}{\sqrt{1-{t}^{2}}}.$

Show Solution

$\sqrt{1-{t}^{2}}$ is not defined as a real number when $t>1.$

16. Explain what is wrong with the following integral: ${\int }_{-1}^{1}\frac{dt}{|t|\sqrt{{t}^{2}-1}}.$

In the following exercises, solve for the antiderivative $\int f$ of $f$ with $C=0,$ then use a calculator to graph $f$ and the antiderivative over the given interval $\left[a,b\right].$ Identify a value of C such that adding C to the antiderivative recovers the definite integral $F(x)={\int }_{a}^{x}f(t)dt.$

17. [T] $\int \frac{1}{\sqrt{9-{x}^{2}}}dx$ over $\left[-3,3\right]$

Show Solution

Two graphs. The first shows the function f(x) = 1 / sqrt(9 – x^2). It is an upward opening curve symmetric about the y axis, crossing at (0, 1/3). The second shows the function F(x) = arcsin(1/3 x). It is an increasing curve going through the origin.

The antiderivative is

${ \sin }^{-1}(\frac{x}{3})+C.$ Taking

$C=\frac{\pi }{2}$ recovers the definite integral.

18. [T] $\int \frac{9}{9+{x}^{2}}dx$ over $\left[-6,6\right]$

19. [T] $\int \frac{ \cos x}{4+{ \sin }^{2}x}dx$ over $\left[-6,6\right]$

Show Solution

Two graphs. The first shows the function f(x) = cos(x) / (4 + sin(x)^2). It is an oscillating function over [-6, 6] with turning points at roughly (-3, -2.5), (0, .25), and (3, -2.5), where (0,.25) is a local max and the others are local mins. The second shows the function F(x) = .5 * arctan(.5*sin(x)), which also oscillates over [-6,6]. It has turning points at roughly (-4.5, .25), (-1.5, -.25), (1.5, .25), and (4.5, -.25).

The antiderivative is

$\frac{1}{2}\phantom{\rule{0.05em}{0ex}}{ \tan }^{-1}(\frac{ \sin x}{2})+C.$ Taking

$C=\frac{1}{2}\phantom{\rule{0.05em}{0ex}}{ \tan }^{-1}(\frac{ \sin (6)}{2})$ recovers the definite integral.

20. [T] $\int \frac{{e}^{x}}{1+{e}^{2x}}dx$ over $\left[-6,6\right]$

In the following exercises, compute the antiderivative using appropriate substitutions.

21. $\int \frac{{ \sin }^{-1}tdt}{\sqrt{1-{t}^{2}}}$

Show Solution

$\frac{1}{2}{({ \sin }^{-1}t)}^{2}+C$

22. $\int \frac{dt}{{ \sin }^{-1}t\sqrt{1-{t}^{2}}}$

23. $\int \frac{{ \tan }^{-1}(2t)}{1+4{t}^{2}}dt$

Show Solution

$\frac{1}{4}{({ \tan }^{-1}(2t))}^{2}$

24. $\int \frac{t{ \tan }^{-1}({t}^{2})}{1+{t}^{4}}dt$

25. $\int \frac{{ \sec }^{-1}(\frac{t}{2})}{|t|\sqrt{{t}^{2}-4}}dt$

Show Solution

$\frac{1}{4}({ \sec }^{-1}{(\frac{t}{2})}^{2})+C$

26. $\int \frac{t{ \sec }^{-1}({t}^{2})}{{t}^{2}\sqrt{{t}^{4}-1}}dt$

In the following exercises, use a calculator to graph the antiderivative $\int f$ with $C=0$ over the given interval $\left[a,b\right].$ Approximate a value of C, if possible, such that adding C to the antiderivative gives the same value as the definite integral $F(x)={\int }_{a}^{x}f(t)dt.$

27. [T] $\int \frac{1}{x\sqrt{{x}^{2}-4}}dx$ over $\left[2,6\right]$

Show Solution

A graph of the function f(x) = -.5 * arctan(2 / ( sqrt(x^2 – 4) ) ) in quadrant four. It is an increasing concave down curve with a vertical asymptote at x=2.

The antiderivative is

$\frac{1}{2}\phantom{\rule{0.05em}{0ex}}{ \sec }^{-1}(\frac{x}{2})+C.$ Taking

$C=0$ recovers the definite integral over

$\left[2,6\right].$

28. [T] $\int \frac{1}{(2x+2)\sqrt{x}}dx$ over $\left[0,6\right]$

29. [T] $\int \frac{( \sin x+x \cos x)}{1+{x}^{2}{ \sin }^{2}x}dx$ over $\left[-6,6\right]$

The graph of f(x) = arctan(x sin(x)) over [-6,6]. It has five turning points at roughly (-5, -1.5), (-2,1), (0,0), (2,1), and (5,-1.5).
The general antiderivative is ${ \tan }^{-1}(x \sin x)+C.$ Taking $C=\text{−}{ \tan }^{-1}(6 \sin (6))$ recovers the definite integral.

30. [T] $\int \frac{2{e}^{-2x}}{\sqrt{1-{e}^{-4x}}}dx$ over $\left[0,2\right]$

31. [T] $\int \frac{1}{x+x{\text{ln}}^{2}x}$ over $\left[0,2\right]$

The general antiderivative is ${ \tan }^{-1}(\text{ln}x)+C.$ Taking $C=\frac{\pi }{2}={ \tan }^{-1}\infty$ recovers the definite integral.

32. [T] $\int \frac{{ \sin }^{-1}x}{\sqrt{1-{x}^{2}}}$ over $\left[-1,1\right]$

In the following exercises, compute each integral using appropriate substitutions.

33. $\int \frac{{e}^{x}}{\sqrt{1-{e}^{2t}}}dt$

Show Solution

${ \sin }^{-1}({e}^{t})+C$

34. $\int \frac{{e}^{t}}{1+{e}^{2t}}dt$

35. $\int \frac{dt}{t\sqrt{1-{\text{ln}}^{2}t}}$

Show Solution

${ \sin }^{-1}(\text{ln}t)+C$

36. $\int \frac{dt}{t(1+{\text{ln}}^{2}t)}$

37. $\int \frac{{ \cos }^{-1}(2t)}{\sqrt{1-4{t}^{2}}}dt$

Show Solution

$-\frac{1}{2}{({ \cos }^{-1}(2t))}^{2}+C$

38. $\int \frac{{e}^{t}{ \cos }^{-1}({e}^{t})}{\sqrt{1-{e}^{2t}}}dt$

In the following exercises, compute each definite integral.

39. ${\int }_{0}^{1\text{/}2}\frac{ \tan ({ \sin }^{-1}t)}{\sqrt{1-{t}^{2}}}dt$

Show Solution

$\frac{1}{2}\text{ln}(\frac{4}{3})$

40. ${\int }_{1\text{/}4}^{1\text{/}2}\frac{ \tan ({ \cos }^{-1}t)}{\sqrt{1-{t}^{2}}}dt$

41. ${\int }_{0}^{1\text{/}2}\frac{ \sin ({ \tan }^{-1}t)}{1+{t}^{2}}dt$

Show Solution

$1-\frac{2}{\sqrt{5}}$

42. ${\int }_{0}^{1\text{/}2}\frac{ \cos ({ \tan }^{-1}t)}{1+{t}^{2}}dt$

43. For $A>0,$ compute $I(A)={\int }_{\text{−}A}^{A}\frac{dt}{1+{t}^{2}}$ and evaluate $\underset{a\to \infty }{\text{lim}}I(A),$ the area under the graph of $\frac{1}{1+{t}^{2}}$ on $\left[\text{−}\infty ,\infty \right].$

Show Solution

$2{ \tan }^{-1}(A)\to \pi$ as $A\to \infty$

44. For [latex]1

45. Use the substitution $u=\sqrt{2} \cot x$ and the identity $1+{ \cot }^{2}x={ \csc }^{2}x$ to evaluate $\int \frac{dx}{1+{ \cos }^{2}x}.$ (Hint: Multiply the top and bottom of the integrand by ${ \csc }^{2}x.$ )

Show Solution

Using the hint, one has $\int \frac{{ \csc }^{2}x}{{ \csc }^{2}x+{ \cot }^{2}x}dx=\int \frac{{ \csc }^{2}x}{1+2{ \cot }^{2}x}dx.$ Set $u=\sqrt{2} \cot x.$ Then, $du=\text{−}\sqrt{2}{ \csc }^{2}x$ and the integral is $-\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\int \frac{du}{1+{u}^{2}}=-\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}{ \tan }^{-1}u+C=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\phantom{\rule{0.05em}{0ex}}{ \tan }^{-1}(\sqrt{2} \cot x)+C.$ If one uses the identity ${ \tan }^{-1}s+{ \tan }^{-1}(\frac{1}{s})=\frac{\pi }{2},$ then this can also be written $\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\phantom{\rule{0.05em}{0ex}}{ \tan }^{-1}(\frac{ \tan x}{\sqrt{2}})+C.$

46. [T] Approximate the points at which the graphs of $f(x)=2{x}^{2}-1$ and $g(x)={(1+4{x}^{2})}^{-3\text{/}2}$ intersect, and approximate the area between their graphs accurate to three decimal places.

47. [T] Approximate the points at which the graphs of $f(x)={x}^{2}-1$ and $f(x)={x}^{2}-1$ intersect, and approximate the area between their graphs accurate to three decimal places.

Show Solution

$x\approx ±1.13525.$ The left endpoint estimate with $N=100$ is 2.796 and these decimals persist for $N=500.$

48. Use the following graph to prove that ${\int }_{0}^{x}\sqrt{1-{t}^{2}}dt=\frac{1}{2}x\sqrt{1-{x}^{2}}+\frac{1}{2}\phantom{\rule{0.05em}{0ex}}{ \sin }^{-1}x.$

5. Integration

5.7 Integrals Resulting in Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Learning Objectives

Integrals that Result in Inverse Sine Functions

Rule: Integration Formulas Resulting in Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Proof

Evaluating a Definite Integral Using Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Hint

Finding an Antiderivative Involving an Inverse Trigonometric Function

Hint

Evaluating a Definite Integral

Integrals Resulting in Other Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Finding an Antiderivative Involving the Inverse Tangent Function

Hint

Applying the Integration Formulas

Hint

Evaluating a Definite Integral

Hint

Key Concepts

Key Equations

Candela Citations