Problem 173
Evaluate the integral: I = integral arcsin x dx
Evaluate the integral: $$ I = \int \arcsin x\,dx. $$
Explanation of Method
Treating $\arcsin x$ as a product $\arcsin x\cdot1$ and applying integration by parts with $u=\arcsin x$, $dv=dx$ leaves a leftover integral resolved by a simple substitution.
- Choose $u=\arcsin x$, $dv=dx$.
- Differentiate $u$ and integrate $dv$.
- Evaluate the leftover integral via substitution.
Step 1 · Set up integration by parts
Let:
$$ u = \arcsin x \quad \Rightarrow \quad du = \frac{dx}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}, \qquad dv = dx \quad \Rightarrow \quad v = x. $$
Step 2 · Apply the formula
$$ I = x\arcsin x - \int \frac{x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\,dx. $$
Step 3 · Evaluate the leftover integral
Let $w=1-x^2$, so $dw=-2x\,dx$:
$$ \int \frac{x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\,dx = -\frac12\int \frac{dw}{\sqrt w} = -\sqrt w = -\sqrt{1-x^2}. $$
Step 4 · Combine
$$ I = x\arcsin x - \left(-\sqrt{1-x^2}\right) + C = x\arcsin x + \sqrt{1-x^2} + C. $$
Summary Table
| Quantity | Value |
|---|---|
| $u$ | $\arcsin x$ |
| $dv$ | $dx$ |
| Antiderivative | $x\arcsin x+\sqrt{1-x^2}$ |
Additional Notes
- The domain requires $-1\leq x\leq1$, where $\arcsin x$ is defined.
- This is the standard template for integrating any single inverse trig function: choose $u$ as the inverse function (whose derivative is algebraic) and $dv=dx$, exactly as in Problems 106, 107, and 174.
- The result can be checked by differentiating $x\arcsin x+\sqrt{1-x^2}$ and confirming it returns $\arcsin x$.
Result
The solution to the integral is:
$$
I = x\arcsin x + \sqrt{1-x^2} + C.
$$