I hate Trigonometric Subsitution

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the evaluation of the integral \(\int (1-x^2)^{3/2}\) using trigonometric substitution, specifically with the substitution \(x = \sin \theta\). Participants are exploring the subsequent steps after reaching the integral \(\int \cos^{4}x \, dx\).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various transformations of the integral, including rewriting \(\int \cos^{4}x \, dx\) as \(\int (\cos^{2}x)^{2} \, dx\) and further as \(\int \left(\frac{1 + \cos 2x}{2}\right)^{2} \, dx\). There are attempts to split the integral into simpler parts and to apply known identities for cosine. Some participants express uncertainty about how to proceed from certain points, particularly regarding the application of hints provided.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing their progress and methods. Some guidance has been offered, including hints about using trigonometric identities and breaking down the integral into manageable parts. However, there is no explicit consensus on the best approach, and multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention challenges with the complexity of the integral and express a need for further clarification on certain hints. There is an acknowledgment of the difficulty of the problem, and some participants indicate they may need to revisit their work before the next class.

Tom McCurdy
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How would you do

[tex]\int (1-x^2)^{3/2}[/tex]


after you get to the point where you have made the triangle and you have

[tex]x=sin\theta[/tex]

and

[tex]dx=cos\theta[/tex]
 
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Yeah,Tom,with the substitution it becomes
[tex]\int \cos^{4}x dx[/tex]

What would u do next??

Daniel.
 
thats the problem... lol
I was able to get to that point... I just don't know how to get to the answer... I checked it on my calcutor and found a really long answer.
 
Tom, how about

[tex]\int \cos^{4}x dx[/tex]

[tex]\int (\cos^{2}x)^{2} dx[/tex]

[tex]\int ( \frac{1 + \cos 2x}{2})^{2} dx[/tex]

Edit: It was redudant, This is better, Yes dextercioby, i fixed it now, sorry for that :-p
 
Last edited:
Call your integral 'I'.I'm sure u still remember that:
[tex]\cos^{4}x=\cos^{2}(1-\sin^{2}x)[/tex]
Then 'I' is split into 2 integrals:
[tex]I=\int (\cos^{2}x -\cos^{2}x\sin^{2}x) dx[/tex]
Call the first integral by [itex]I_{1}[/itex]
[tex]I_{1}=\int \cos^{2} x dx[/tex]

HINT:[tex]\cos^{2}x=\frac{1}{2}(1+\cos 2x)[/tex]

Call the second integral by [itex]I_{2}[/itex]
[tex]I_{2}=\int \cos^{2}x\sin^{2}x dx[/tex]

HINT:[tex]\sin 2x=2\sin x\cos x[/tex]
[tex]\sin^{2} 2x=\frac{1}{2}(1-\cos 4x)[/tex]

Then
[tex]I=I_{1}-I_{2}[/tex]

To return to the initial variable (remember u made the substitution x->sin x),simply make the 'x' in your result for 'I' go to [itex]\arcsin x[/itex] (i.e.reverse the substitution).

Good luck!I'm going to go to bed now.By the time i get up,u'd better have it done... :wink:

Daniel.

EDIT:Cyclovenom,don't give him bad advice...
 
Last edited:
...

sorry didn't finish it... or the rest of the homework

I got Iintegral one down to

[tex]1/2 \int (x + \frac{sin2x}{2} )[/tex]

I started

I2 but I wasn't sure where the [tex]sin^22x[/tex] hint came in since it was just sin

Anyway I prob just didn't spend ennuogh time on it... I willl actually work on it some before that class...
 
Okay,let's check it:
[tex]I_{1}=\frac{1}{2}\int (1+\cos 2x) dx=\frac{1}{2}(x+\frac{1}{2}\sin 2x)=\frac{x}{2}+\frac{\sin 2x}{4}[/tex](1)

Yous still has the integral sign.Maybe it was a typo...

[tex]I_{2}=\int \sin^{2}x\cos^{2}x dx=\frac{1}{4}\int \sin^{2} 2x =\frac{1}{8}\int (1-\cos 4x) dx=\frac{1}{8}(x-\frac{1}{4}\sin 4x)=\frac{x}{8}-\frac{\sin 4x}{32}[/tex] (2)

Now 'I' is the difference between the first intergral and the second,viz.
[tex]I=(\frac{x}{2}-\frac{x}{8})+\frac{\sin 2x}{4}+\frac{\sin 4x}{32} =\frac{3x}{8}+\frac{\sin 2x}{4}+\frac{\sin 4x}{32}[/tex] (3)

I'll let u invert the substitution [itex]x\rightarrow \arcsin x[/itex].

Daniel.
 

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