Problem 280
Evaluate the integral: I = integral dx/(1+ sqrt x)
Evaluate the integral: $$ I = \int \frac{dx}{1+\sqrt x}. $$
Explanation of Method
Substituting $u=\sqrt x$ clears the square root entirely, turning the integrand into a simple improper rational function of $u$ that splits by polynomial division.
- Substitute $u=\sqrt x$.
- Simplify the integrand by dividing.
- Integrate term by term.
- Back-substitute.
Step 1 · Substitute
Let $u=\sqrt x$, so $x=u^2$ and $dx=2u\,du$:
$$ I = \int\frac{2u\,du}{1+u} = 2\int\frac u{1+u}\,du. $$
Step 2 · Simplify by division
$$ \frac u{1+u} = \frac{(u+1)-1}{1+u} = 1-\frac1{1+u}. $$
Step 3 · Integrate
$$ 2\int\left(1-\frac1{1+u}\right)du = 2u - 2\ln|1+u| + C. $$
Step 4 · Back-substitute
Since $u=\sqrt x\geq0$, $1+u>0$, so the absolute value can be dropped:
$$ I = 2\sqrt x - 2\ln\left(1+\sqrt x\right) + C. $$
Summary Table
| Piece | Antiderivative |
|---|---|
| $1$ | $u$ |
| $-1/(1+u)$ | $-\ln|1+u|$ |
Additional Notes
- The domain requires $x\geq0$ for the square root to be real.
- The result can be checked by differentiating: $\dfrac{d}{dx}\left[2\sqrt x-2\ln(1+\sqrt x)\right] = \dfrac1{\sqrt x}-\dfrac1{\sqrt x(1+\sqrt x)} = \dfrac1{\sqrt x}\cdot\dfrac{\sqrt x}{1+\sqrt x} = \dfrac1{1+\sqrt x}$, matching the integrand exactly.
Result
The solution to the integral is:
$$
I = 2\sqrt x - 2\ln\left(1+\sqrt x\right) + C.
$$