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wolfram-mathematicaintegral

Why can't Mathematica solve this definite integral?


When I try to calculate the following integral in Mathematica 8, I get this strange result:

In[1]:= Integrate[y/((1 + x^2 + y^2)^(3/2)), {y, 0, 1}]

Mathematica graphics

Maple 14 can solve this one easily:


Why is Mathematica giving me a different result?


Solution

  • Try this

    r = Integrate[y/((1 + x^2 + y^2)^(3/2)), {y, 0, 1}]
    r = Assuming[Element[x, Reals], Simplify[r]];
    Together[r]
    

    which gives

    (-Sqrt[1+x^2]+Sqrt[2+x^2])/(Sqrt[1+x^2] Sqrt[2+x^2])
    

    Which is the same as Maple's :

    enter image description here