How do you take integral of cot ?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral of the function (cot(2x))^3, exploring different methods of integration and the use of trigonometric identities.

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  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss whether to convert cotangent to sine and cosine. Some suggest using trigonometric identities and substitutions, such as u = csc(2x), while others explore different substitution methods and their implications.

Discussion Status

Multiple approaches to the integral have been presented, with participants sharing their solutions and noting similarities and differences. There is ongoing exploration of the correctness of the solutions and the handling of logarithmic expressions.

Contextual Notes

Participants question the handling of constants of integration and the implications of using absolute values in logarithmic expressions. There is a recognition of potential mistakes in earlier messages regarding the equivalence of solutions.

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integral of (cot2x)^3 dx

are you supposet to convert to cos and sin?
 
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Try using the identity [itex]\csc^2{x} - \cot^2{x} = 1[/itex] and later making the substitution [itex]u = \csc{2x}[/itex] (similar to integrals of powers of sines and cosines, or secants and tangents. Of course, you'll have to deduce the differential of u! :smile:).
 
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EasyStyle4747 said:
integral of (cot2x)^3 dx

are you supposet to convert to cos and sin?
The answer to your question for this case: YES (for easy solution)
Then sub {w = sin(2*x) ::AND:: dw = 2*cos(2*x)*dx ::OR:: (dw/2) = cos(2*x)*dx}:

∫ {cot(2*x)}^3 dx = ∫ {cos(2*x)/sin(2*x)}^3 dx =
= ∫ {cos(2*x)}^2/{sin(2*x)}^3 {cos(2*x)}dx =

= ∫ (1 - w^2)/w^3 {dw/2} = ::: Sub "w" using {cos^2() = 1 - sin^2()} in num
= (1/2)*∫ {w^(-3) - w^(-1)} dw =
::: (integrating) :::

= (1/2)*{(-1/2)*w^(-2) - Loge(|w|)} + C =
= (-1/4)*{sin(2*x)}^(-2) - (1/2)*Loge{|sin(2*x)|} + C =

= (-1/4)*{csc(2*x)}^2 - (1/4)*Loge{{sin(2*x)}^2} + C


~~
 
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Here's the solution using my substitution:

Note that [itex]u = \csc(2x)[/itex] and thus [itex]du = -2\csc(2x)\cot(2x)dx[/itex]

[tex]\int \cot^3(2x) \ dx = \int (\csc^2(2x) - 1)\cot(2x) \ dx[/tex]
[tex]= \frac{-1}{2}\int \frac{u^2 - 1}{u} \ du = \frac{-1}{2}\left( \frac{u^2}{2} - \ln{|u|} \right) + C[/tex]

[tex]= \frac{1}{4}\ln \left(\csc^2(2x)\right) - \frac{1}{4}\csc^2(2x) + C[/tex]
 
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wow, 2 different solutions! thanks a lot guys, this helps a lot.
 
Data said:
Here's the solution using my substitution:

Note that [itex]u = \csc(2x)[/itex] and thus [itex]du = -2\csc(2x)\cot(2x)dx[/itex]

[tex]\int \cot^3(2x) \ dx = \int (\csc^2(2x) - 1)\cot(2x) \ dx[/tex]
[tex]= \frac{-1}{2}\int \frac{u^2 - 1}{u} \ du = \frac{-1}{2}\left( \frac{u^2}{2} - \ln{|u|} \right)[/tex]

[tex]= \frac{1}{4}\ln \left(\csc^2(2x)\right) - \frac{1}{4}\csc^2(2x)[/tex]
The 2 solutions presented in this thread are equivalent in final results. Note that:
csc^2() = sin^(-2)()
::: ⇒ Loge{csc^2()} = (-1)*Loge{sin^2()}

Thus, we have:

[tex]:(1): \ \ \ \ \frac{1}{4}\ln \left(\csc^2(2x)\right) \ - \ \frac{1}{4}\csc^2(2x) \ + \ C \ \ = \ \ \frac{-1}{4}\csc^2(2x) \ + \ \color{red} (-1)*\color{black}\frac{1}{4}\ln \left(sin^2(2x)\right) \ + \ C[/tex]

which is equivalent to that presented in the EASY (:wink: :wink:) solution in msg #3 involving only sin() & cos() functions, identities, & derivatives (except for the very last equation)!


~~
 
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There's no error. I just squared the csc inside the logarithm and as a result pulled out an extra [tex]\frac{1}{2}[/tex]. Doing it that way gets rid of the absolute value signs for one thing. Note that in your original solution the argument to [itex]\ln[/itex] was [itex]\sin{2x}[/itex], not [itex]\sin^2{2x}[/itex] :smile:
 
Data said:
There's no error. I just squared the csc inside the logarithm and as a result pulled out an extra [tex]\frac{1}{2}[/tex]. Doing it that way gets rid of the absolute value signs for one thing. Note that in your original solution the argument to [itex]\ln[/itex] was [itex]\sin{2x}[/itex], not [itex]\sin^2{2x}[/itex] :smile:
Indeed, there was no error. And the squared Loge argument is a good idea. After adjusting orig msgs, both solutions are now equiv in final result.


~~
 
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Well, we actually did both make a mistake. Pesky constants of integration :wink:
 

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