In calculus, evaluating integrals involving composite functions can be simplified using a technique known as substitution, or u-substitution. This method is particularly useful when dealing with integrals that contain a function within another function, as well as a derivative of that inner function. The integral of the form cubed times dx can be approached more easily by recognizing the structure of the integral.
To apply substitution, we first identify a suitable substitution for . In this case, we can let . The next step is to find , which is the derivative of with respect to multiplied by . Calculating this gives us , which matches the term in our integral.
Substituting into the integral transforms it into a simpler form: . This integral can now be evaluated using the power rule, resulting in . Finally, substituting back for gives us the final answer: .
In another example, consider the integral of . Here, we again choose , leading to . To adjust for the constant, we multiply the integral by to maintain its value, resulting in . Evaluating this integral using the power rule yields . Substituting back for gives the final result: .
In summary, the substitution method streamlines the process of evaluating integrals involving composite functions. By carefully selecting and determining , the integral can be transformed into a more manageable form, allowing for straightforward integration and eventual substitution back to the original variable.