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Definite integral via u-substitution with arctan

Evaluate the definite integral ∫01arctan⁡(x)1+x2 dx\int_0^1 \frac{\arctan(x)}{1+x^2}\,dx using the substitution u=arctan⁡(x)u = \arctan(x).

Use the substitution u=arctan⁡(x)u = \arctan(x) to evaluate ∫01arctan⁡(x)1+x2 dx.\int_0^1 \frac{\arctan(x)}{1+x^2}\,dx. Find the exact value of the integral.

Hint

Compute dudu in terms of dxdx: since u=arctan⁡(x)u = \arctan(x), du=11+x2 dxdu = \frac{1}{1+x^2}\,dx. This means the integral becomes ∫u du\int u\,du after substitution. Don't forget to convert the bounds: when x=0x=0, u=arctan⁡(0)u=\arctan(0); when x=1x=1, u=arctan⁡(1)u=\arctan(1).

Step-by-step solution

Let u=arctan⁡(x)u = \arctan(x), so du=11+x2 dxdu = \frac{1}{1+x^2}\,dx. This matches exactly the integrand, since arctan⁡(x)1+x2 dx=u du\frac{\arctan(x)}{1+x^2}\,dx = u\,du. Convert the bounds: when x=0x=0, u=arctan⁡(0)=0u = \arctan(0) = 0; when x=1x=1, u=arctan⁡(1)=π/4u = \arctan(1) = \pi/4.

The integral becomes ∫0π/4u du=[u22]0π/4=(π/4)22−0=π232.\int_0^{\pi/4} u\,du = \left[\frac{u^2}{2}\right]_0^{\pi/4} = \frac{(\pi/4)^2}{2} - 0 = \frac{\pi^2}{32}. So the value of the original integral is π232\frac{\pi^2}{32}.

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