How do you find the indefinite integral of ∫ x^2 - 2 dx / x^3 - 4x ?

2 Answers
Apr 15, 2018

#I=1/4ln(x^4-4x^2)+C#

Explanation:

We want to solve

#I=int(x^2-2)/(x^3-4x)dx#

Multiply the DEN and NUM by #x#

#I=int(x^3-2x)/(x^4-4x^2)dx#

Now we can make i nice substitution
#color(red)(u=x^4-4x^2=>du=4x^3-8xdx=4(x^3-2x)dx#

#I=1/4int1/udu#

#color(white)(I)=1/4ln(u)+C#

#color(white)(I)=1/4ln(x^4-4x^2)+C#

I have solved this way, applying partial fractions decomposition:
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