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Multiple Choice
Evaluate the integral.
A
B
C
D
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Simplify the given integral. The integral is ∫(t^4 + t^2 - 2)/(t^3 + t) dt. Start by factoring the denominator t^3 + t as t(t^2 + 1). This will help simplify the fraction.
Step 2: Perform polynomial long division if necessary. Divide the numerator (t^4 + t^2 - 2) by the denominator (t(t^2 + 1)) to separate the integral into simpler terms. This will result in a combination of polynomial terms and a proper fraction.
Step 3: Decompose the proper fraction. For the remaining fraction, use partial fraction decomposition to express it as a sum of simpler fractions. This will make it easier to integrate each term individually.
Step 4: Integrate each term. For the polynomial terms, use the power rule for integration: ∫t^n dt = t^(n+1)/(n+1). For the logarithmic terms, recognize forms like ∫1/t dt = ln|t|. For terms involving t^2 + 1, recognize that ∫1/(t^2 + 1) dt = tan^(-1)(t).
Step 5: Combine the results. Add all the integrated terms together, including the constant of integration C. Simplify the expression to match one of the given answer choices.