On geometric interpretation of Euler's substitutions

Abstract

We consider a classial case of irrational integrals containing a square root of a quadratic polynomial. It is well known that they can be expressed in terms of elementary functions by one of three Euler's substitutions. It is less known that the Euler substittutions have a beautiful geometric interpretation. In the framework of this interpretation one can see that the number 3 is not the most suitable. We show that it is natural to introduce the fourth Euler substitution. By the way, it is not clear who was the first to attribute these three substitutions to Euler. In his original treatise Leonhard Euler uses two substitutions which are sufficient to cover all cases.