Send to a Friend

HeroicZach's avatar

Integral [x^3 + 1]^2 dx = ? I found that it was [(x^3 + 1)^3] / 9x^2, but that is wrong? Details inside.

Asked by HeroicZach (195points) May 3rd, 2009

So I solved this question by going through these steps:

First, I used the power rule of integration. So, it then looked like this:

[(x^3 + 1)^3] / 3

So then I realized that when you derive that, the chain rule applies to the portion in the numerator. To compensate, I added the value of the derivative of the part in parenthesis to which the chain rule applies, 3x^2, into the denominator. I got my answer, then, which was:

[(x^3 + 1)^3] / 9x^2

This is the incorrect answer, apparently. Is there somewhere where I took a wrong turn? It must be somewhere in my recognition of the power rule. Do you have any help for me?

Thank you!

Using Fluther

or

Using Email

Separate multiple emails with commas.
We’ll only use these emails for this message.