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Learning Objectives
- Use substitution to evaluate indefinite integrals.
- Use substitution to evaluate definite integrals.
The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus gave us a method to evaluate integrals without using Riemann sums. The drawback of this method, though, is that we must be able to find an antiderivative, and this is not always easy. In this section we examine a technique, called integration by substitution , to help us find antiderivatives. Specifically, this method helps us find antiderivatives when the integrand is the result of a chain-rule derivative.
At first, the approach to the substitution procedure may not appear very obvious. However, it is primarily a visual task—that is, the integrand shows you what to do; it is a matter of recognizing the form of the function. So, what are we supposed to see? We are looking for an integrand of the form
For example, in the integral
we have
and
Then,
and we see that our integrand is in the correct form.
The method is called substitution because we substitute part of the integrand with the variable
and part of the integrand with du . It is also referred to as change of variables because we are changing variables to obtain an expression that is easier to work with for applying the integration rules.
Substitution with Indefinite Integrals
Let
where
is continuous over an interval, let
be continuous over the corresponding range of
, and let
be an antiderivative of
Then,
![Rendered by QuickLaTeX.com \begin{array}{cc}\int f\left[g(x)\right]{g}^{\prime }(x)dx\hfill & =\int f(u)du\hfill \\ & =F(u)+C\hfill \\ & =F(g(x))+C.\hfill \end{array}](https://opentextbooks.clemson.edu/app/uploads/quicklatex/quicklatex.com-d005b2415a97d57935a228065dd5e4b3_l3.png)
Proof
Let
,
,
, and F be as specified in the theorem. Then
Integrating both sides with respect to
, we see that
If we now substitute
and
we get
![Rendered by QuickLaTeX.com \begin{array}{cc}\int f\left[g(x)\right]{g}^{\prime }(x)dx\hfill & =\int f(u)du\hfill \\ & =F(u)+C\hfill \\ & =F(g(x))+C.\hfill \end{array}](https://opentextbooks.clemson.edu/app/uploads/quicklatex/quicklatex.com-d005b2415a97d57935a228065dd5e4b3_l3.png)
□
Returning to the problem we looked at originally, we let
and then
Rewrite the integral in terms of
:
Using the power rule for integrals, we have
Substitute the original expression for
back into the solution:
We can generalize the procedure in the following Problem-Solving Strategy.
Problem-Solving Strategy: Integration by Substitution
- Look carefully at the integrand and select an expression
within the integrand to set equal to
. Let’s select
such that
is also part of the integrand. - Substitute
and
into the integral. - We should now be able to evaluate the integral with respect to
. If the integral can’t be evaluated we need to go back and select a different expression to use as
. - Evaluate the integral in terms of
. - Write the result in terms of
and the expression 
Using Substitution to Find an Antiderivative
Use substitution to find the antiderivative of ![]()
Solution
The first step is to choose an expression for
. We choose
because then
and we already have du in the integrand. Write the integral in terms of
:
Remember that du is the derivative of the expression chosen for
, regardless of what is inside the integrand. Now we can evaluate the integral with respect to
:

Analysis
We can check our answer by taking the derivative of the result of integration. We should obtain the integrand. Picking a value for C of 1, we let
We have
so
This is exactly the expression we started with inside the integrand.
Use substitution to find the antiderivative of ![]()
![]()
Sometimes we need to adjust the constants in our integral if they don’t match up exactly with the expressions we are substituting.
Using Substitution with Alteration
Use substitution to find the antiderivative of ![]()
Solution
Rewrite the integral as
Let
and
Now we have a problem because
and the original expression has only
We have to alter our expression for du or the integral in
will be twice as large as it should be. If we multiply both sides of the du equation by
we can solve this problem. Thus,

Write the integral in terms of
, but pull the
outside the integration symbol:
Integrate the expression in
:

Use substitution to find the antiderivative of ![]()
Solution
![]()
Hint
Multiply the du equation by ![]()
Using Substitution with Integrals of Trigonometric Functions
Use substitution to evaluate the integral ![]()
Solution
We know the derivative of
is
so we set
Then
Substituting into the integral, we have
Evaluating the integral, we get
Putting the answer back in terms of
, we get

Use substitution to evaluate the integral ![]()
Solution
![]()
Hint
Use the process from (Figure) to solve the problem.
Sometimes we need to manipulate an integral in ways that are more complicated than just multiplying or dividing by a constant. We need to eliminate all the expressions within the integrand that are in terms of the original variable. When we are done,
should be the only variable in the integrand. In some cases, this means solving for the original variable in terms of
. This technique should become clear in the next example.
Finding an Antiderivative Using
-Substitution
Use substitution to find the antiderivative of ![]()
Solution
If we let
then
But this does not account for the
in the numerator of the integrand. We need to express
in terms of
. If
then
Now we can rewrite the integral in terms of
:

Then we integrate in the usual way, replace
with the original expression, and factor and simplify the result. Thus,
![Rendered by QuickLaTeX.com \begin{array}{cc}\int ({u}^{1\text{/}2}+{u}^{-1\text{/}2})du\hfill & =\frac{2}{3}{u}^{3\text{/}2}+2{u}^{1\text{/}2}+C\hfill \\ \\ & =\frac{2}{3}{(x-1)}^{3\text{/}2}+2{(x-1)}^{1\text{/}2}+C\hfill \\ & ={(x-1)}^{1\text{/}2}\left[\frac{2}{3}(x-1)+2\right]+C\hfill \\ & ={(x-1)}^{1\text{/}2}(\frac{2}{3}x-\frac{2}{3}+\frac{6}{3})\hfill \\ & ={(x-1)}^{1\text{/}2}(\frac{2}{3}x+\frac{4}{3})\hfill \\ & =\frac{2}{3}{(x-1)}^{1\text{/}2}(x+2)+C.\hfill \end{array}](https://opentextbooks.clemson.edu/app/uploads/quicklatex/quicklatex.com-55e85e80b2584db640273738d9087098_l3.png)
Use substitution to evaluate the indefinite integral ![]()
Solution
![]()
Hint
Use the process from (Figure) to solve the problem.
Substitution for Definite Integrals
Substitution can be used with definite integrals, too. However, using substitution to evaluate a definite integral requires a change to the limits of integration. If we change variables in the integrand, the limits of integration change as well.
Substitution with Definite Integrals
Let
and let
be continuous over an interval
and let
be continuous over the range of
Then,
Although we will not formally prove this theorem, we justify it with some calculations here. From the substitution rule for indefinite integrals, if
is an antiderivative of
we have
Then
![Rendered by QuickLaTeX.com \begin{array}{cc}{\int }_{a}^{b}f\left[g(x)\right]{g}^{\prime }(x)dx\hfill & ={F(g(x))|}_{x=a}^{x=b}\hfill \\ & =F(g(b))-F(g(a))\hfill \\ & ={F(u)|}_{u=g(a)}^{u=g(b)}\hfill \\ \\ \\ & ={\int }_{g(a)}^{g(b)}f(u)du,\hfill \end{array}](https://opentextbooks.clemson.edu/app/uploads/quicklatex/quicklatex.com-6b19dd1985637009cdb3e5df8d6dfa76_l3.png)
and we have the desired result.
Using Substitution to Evaluate a Definite Integral
Use substitution to evaluate ![]()
Solution
Let
so
Since the original function includes one factor of
2 and
multiply both sides of the du equation by
Then,
To adjust the limits of integration, note that when
and when
Then
Evaluating this expression, we get
![Rendered by QuickLaTeX.com \begin{array}{cc}\\ \\ \frac{1}{6}{\int }_{1}^{3}{u}^{5}du\hfill & =(\frac{1}{6})(\frac{{u}^{6}}{6}){|}_{1}^{3}\hfill \\ & =\frac{1}{36}\left[{(3)}^{6}-{(1)}^{6}\right]\hfill \\ & =\frac{182}{9}.\hfill \end{array}](https://opentextbooks.clemson.edu/app/uploads/quicklatex/quicklatex.com-e7b7c504bde54f1197f7ca93e70974bd_l3.png)
Use substitution to evaluate the definite integral ![]()
Solution
![]()
Hint
Use the steps from (Figure) to solve the problem.
Using Substitution with an Exponential Function
Use substitution to evaluate ![]()
Solution
Let
Then,
To adjust the limits of integration, we note that when
and when
So our substitution gives

Substitution may be only one of the techniques needed to evaluate a definite integral. All of the properties and rules of integration apply independently, and trigonometric functions may need to be rewritten using a trigonometric identity before we can apply substitution. Also, we have the option of replacing the original expression for
after we find the antiderivative, which means that we do not have to change the limits of integration. These two approaches are shown in (Figure) .
Using Substitution to Evaluate a Trigonometric Integral
Use substitution to evaluate ![]()
Solution
Let us first use a trigonometric identity to rewrite the integral. The trig identity
allows us to rewrite the integral as
Then,

We can evaluate the first integral as it is, but we need to make a substitution to evaluate the second integral. Let
Then,
or
Also, when
and when
Expressing the second integral in terms of
, we have

Key Concepts
- Substitution is a technique that simplifies the integration of functions that are the result of a chain-rule derivative. The term ‘substitution’ refers to changing variables or substituting the variable
and du for appropriate expressions in the integrand. - When using substitution for a definite integral, we also have to change the limits of integration.
Key Equations
- Substitution with Indefinite Integrals
![Rendered by QuickLaTeX.com \int f\left[g(x)\right]{g}^{\prime }(x)dx=\int f(u)du=F(u)+C=F(g(x))+C](https://opentextbooks.clemson.edu/app/uploads/quicklatex/quicklatex.com-36f080cc63d573845f99e17811e44903_l3.png)
- Substitution with Definite Integrals

1. Why is
-substitution referred to as change of variable ?
2. If
when reversing the chain rule,
should you take
or ![]()
Solution
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In the following exercises, verify each identity using differentiation. Then, using the indicated
-substitution, identify
such that the integral takes the form ![]()
3. ![]()
4. ![]()
Solution
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5. ![]()
6. ![]()
Solution
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7. ![]()
In the following exercises, find the antiderivative using the indicated substitution.
8. ![]()
Solution
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9. ![]()
10. ![]()
Solution
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11. ![]()
12. ![]()
Solution
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13. ![]()
14. ![]()
Solution
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15. ![]()
16.
(
)
Solution
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17.
[latex](Hint\text{:}{ \sin }^{2}\theta =1-{ \cos }^{2}\theta)[/latex]
In the following exercises, use a suitable change of variables to determine the indefinite integral.
18. ![]()
Solution
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19. ![]()
20. ![]()
Solution
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21. ![]()
22. ![]()
Solution
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23. ![]()
24. ![]()
Solution
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25.
[latex](Hint\text{:}{ \sin }^{2}x+{ \cos }^{2}x=1)[/latex]
26. ![]()
Solution
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27. ![]()
28. ![]()
Solution
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29. ![]()
30. ![]()
Solution
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31. ![]()
32. ![]()
Solution
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33. ![]()
34. ![]()
Solution
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In the following exercises, use a calculator to estimate the area under the curve using left Riemann sums with 50 terms, then use substitution to solve for the exact answer.
35. [T]
over ![]()
36. [T]
over ![]()
Solution
The exact area is ![]()
37. [T]
over ![]()
38. [T]
over ![]()
Solution
… The exact area is 0.
In the following exercises, use a change of variables to evaluate the definite integral.
39. ![]()
40. ![]()
Solution
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41. ![]()
42. ![]()
Solution
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43. ![]()
44. ![]()
Solution
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In the following exercises, evaluate the indefinite integral
with constant
using
-substitution. Then, graph the function and the antiderivative over the indicated interval. If possible, estimate a value of C that would need to be added to the antiderivative to make it equal to the definite integral
with
the left endpoint of the given interval.
45. [T]
over ![]()
46. [T]
on ![]()
Solution
The antiderivative is
Since the antiderivative is not continuous at
one cannot find a value of C that would make
work as a definite integral.
47. [T]
over ![]()
48. [T]
over ![]()
Solution
The antiderivative is
You should take
so that ![]()
49. [T]
over ![]()
50. [T]
over ![]()
Solution
The antiderivative is
One should take ![]()
51. If
in
what can you say about the value of the integral?
52. Is the substitution
in the definite integral
okay? If not, why not?
Solution
No, because the integrand is discontinuous at ![]()
In the following exercises, use a change of variables to show that each definite integral is equal to zero.
53. ![]()
54. ![]()
Solution
the integral becomes ![]()
55. ![]()
56. ![]()
Solution
the integral becomes ![]()
57. ![]()
58. ![]()
Solution
the integral becomes
![Rendered by QuickLaTeX.com \begin{array}{l}{\int }_{1}^{-1}u \cos (\pi (1-u))du\hfill \\ ={\int }_{1}^{-1}u\left[ \cos \pi \cos u- \sin \pi \sin u\right]du\hfill \\ =-{\int }_{1}^{-1}u \cos udu\hfill \\ ={\int }_{-1}^{1}u \cos udu=0\hfill \end{array}](https://opentextbooks.clemson.edu/app/uploads/quicklatex/quicklatex.com-5415c032df1a7e1f260479508ace2e7d_l3.png)
since the integrand is odd.
59. ![]()
60. Show that the average value of
over an interval
is the same as the average value of
over the interval
for ![]()
Solution
Setting
and
gets you ![]()
61. Find the area under the graph of
between
and
where
and
is fixed, and evaluate the limit as ![]()
62. Find the area under the graph of
between
and
where
and
is fixed. Evaluate the limit as ![]()
Solution
As
the limit is
if
and the limit diverges to +∞ if ![]()
63. The area of a semicircle of radius 1 can be expressed as
Use the substitution
to express the area of a semicircle as the integral of a trigonometric function. You do not need to compute the integral.
64. The area of the top half of an ellipse with a major axis that is the
-axis from
to
and with a minor axis that is the
-axis from
to
can be written as
Use the substitution
to express this area in terms of an integral of a trigonometric function. You do not need to compute the integral.
Solution
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65. [T] The following graph is of a function of the form
Estimate the coefficients
and
, and the frequency parameters
and
. Use these estimates to approximate ![]()
66. [T] The following graph is of a function of the form
Estimate the coefficients
and
and the frequency parameters
and
. Use these estimates to approximate ![]()
Solution
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Glossary
- change of variables
- the substitution of a variable, such as
, for an expression in the integrand
- integration by substitution
- a technique for integration that allows integration of functions that are the result of a chain-rule derivative
Hint
Let