Integrate f(x) = 1/(1-x^2)

1/(1-x2) can be split into the partial fractions A/(1+x) + B/(1-x), where A and B are real constants, which when evaluated by multiplying the equation 1/(1-x2) = A/(1+x) + B/(1-x) through by (1-x2) = (1+x)(1-x) and substituting x =1, and x = -1; we find A = B = 0.5 hence 1/(1-x2) = 1/2(1-x) + 1/2(1+x) which can easily be integrated to 0.5( -log(1-x) + log(1+x)) + c or in the more accepted form 0.5(log(1+x) - log(1-x)) + c. (Where c is a real constant). 

ML

Related Further Mathematics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Using z=cos(θ)+isin(θ), find expressions for z^n-1/z^n and z^n+1/z^n


Solve the equation 3sinh(2x) = 13 - 3e^(2x), answering in the form 0.5ln(k). where k is an integer


solve the 1st order differential equation 2y+(x*dy/dx)=x^3


Find a vector that is normal to lines L1 and L2 and passes through their common point of intersection where L1 is the line r = (3,1,1) + u(1,-2,-1) and L2 is the line r = (0,-2,3) + v(-5,1,4) where u and v are scalar values.