A Level Maths Notes: FP2 – Integrating Reciprocals of Square Roots of Quadratics
To evaluate
we
complete the square for the quadratic expression to obtain
then
make the substitution
simplify and integrate.
Example:![]()
Complete the square to
obtain![]()
and![]()
The integrand becomes![]()
is
a standard integral:
Nevertheless
can
be integrated by multiplying
by
the fraction![]()
![]()
The numerator is the
differential of the denominator since
and![]()
To complete the integral we can either substitute back the original substitution to obtain
![]()
Now evaluate the limits
