Solve $\int^1_{-1} \frac{\sin(x)}{1+x^2}dx$

calculusdefinite integralsintegrationsubstitution

I have to solve $$\int^1_{-1} \frac{\sin(x)}{1+x^2}\,dx$$

I am a Calculus 1 student, and I am having difficulty because I can't think of anything that I could make into a substitute which would cancel much. I think this may be a difficult problem to solve without using techniques that are beyond a college Calculus 1 level of skill, but please try, or I may have a hard time understanding what you mean.

Here is some of what I've tried:

$u=1+x^2$

$du = 2xdx$

$\frac{du}{2x} = dx$

$$\int^1_{-1}\frac{1}{u} \cdot \sin(x) \cdot \frac{1}{2x} \cdot du$$

I have tried plugging this into Symbolab.com, but it wont even give me a hint what $u$ should be.

Best Answer

Since, $\frac{\sin(-x)}{1+(-x)^2}=-\frac{\sin(x)}{1+x^2}$ the function is symmetric over the interval of $[-1,1]$. Therefore we can evaluate the integral as:

$$\int^1_{-1} \frac{\sin(x)}{1+x^2}\,dx=0$$

Here is a visual representation of what I mean:

enter image description here