Can substitution and factoring help simplify this integral?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Yegor
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral of a function involving trigonometric expressions, specifically focusing on the simplification techniques such as substitution and factoring. Participants explore various substitution methods, particularly involving the tangent function, to address the complexity of the integral.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of substitutions like \( \tan(x) = t \) and \( \tan\left(\frac{x}{2}\right) = t \) to simplify the integral. There are questions about the factorization of the resulting polynomial expressions in the denominator and the challenges associated with them. Some participants express concerns about the algebraic complexity involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with various approaches being suggested. Some participants have provided algebraic manipulations and substitutions, while others are questioning the feasibility of factorizing certain polynomials. There is no explicit consensus on a single method or solution, but multiple lines of reasoning are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the difficulty of factorizing polynomials with complex solutions and the implications of using specific substitutions. There is also a reference to the limitations of computational tools like Mathematica in assisting with these factorizations.

Yegor
Messages
147
Reaction score
2
[tex]\int\frac{1}{(\sin(x)+\frac{2}{\cos(x)})^2} dx[/tex]
I know that tan(x)=t works, but there are some problems with factorizing denominator and even after factorizing that integral isn't very simple. Does anyone see here any simplier substitution? thank you
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Its [itex]tan(\frac{x}{2}) = t[/itex]. Try it. What are the problems?
 
Don't be afraid of this simple algebra.When doing integrals,you ought to be prepared for worst.

BTW,LaTex acknowledges the function "tangent",as long as you write it " \tan ".

Daniel.
 
In this case denominator is [tex]t^4-t^3+2t^2+t+1[/tex]. This i can't factorize also. Even Mathematica doesn't help.
 
Hm. Yes, I'm probably just too lazy today to work on algebra. But i have one more question about such problems. If i have polynomials with complex solutions what is the algorithm for factorizing them?
As examples:1) [tex]t^4-t^3+2t^2+t+1[/tex]
2) [tex]4t^4+4t^3+9t^2+4t+4[/tex]
 
It can't be.

[tex]I= \int \frac{dx}{\left(\sin x+\frac{2}{\cos x}\right)^{2}}[/tex] (1)

Make the sub

[tex]\tan\frac{x}{2}=t[/tex] (2)

An you'll get the integral

[tex]I=2\int \frac{\cos ^2\left( 2\arctan t\right) }{\left[ \sin \left( 2\arctan t\right) \cos \left( 2\arctan t\right) +2\right] ^2\left( 1+t^2\right) }\,dt[/tex] (3)

Then

[tex]\left\{\begin{array}{c} \cos \left( \arctan t\right) =\frac{1}{\sqrt{\left( 1+t^2\right) }}\\ \sin \left( \arctan t\right) =\frac {t}{\sqrt{\left( 1+t^2\right) }} \end{array} \right[/tex] (4)

Can you take it from here...?

Daniel.
 
Last edited:
dextercioby said:
Don't be afraid of this simple algebra.When doing integrals,you ought to be prepared for worst.

BTW,LaTex acknowledges the function "tangent",as long as you write it " \tan ".

Daniel.

Yeah I forgot. Thanks anyway.
 
[tex]\left{\begin{array}{c} \cos \left( 2\arctan t\right) =\frac{1-t^2}{{\left( 1+t^2\right) }}\\ \sin \left( 2\arctan t\right) =\frac {2t}{{\left( 1+t^2\right) }} \end{array} \right[/tex]
 
Yes, i did it dextercioby. This i have from it:
[tex]\int\frac{(1+t^2)(1-t^2)^2}{t^4-t^3+2t^2+t+1}[/tex]
OK. i can divide this fraction, but i can do nothing with denominator
 
  • #10
Here's what i'd do.I denote your integral by "I".

[tex]I=:\int\frac{\cos^{2}x}{\left(\frac{1}{2}\sin 2x +2\right)^{2}} \ dx[/tex] (1)

I define its sister integral

[tex]J=:\int\frac{\sin^{2}x}{\left(\frac{1}{2}\sin 2x +2\right)^{2}} \ dx[/tex] (2)

The difference

[tex]I-J=\int \frac{\cos 2x}{\left(\frac{1}{2}\sin 2x +2\right)^{2}} \ dx =\int \frac{d\left(\frac{1}{2}\sin 2x +2\right)}{\left(\frac{1}{2}\sin 2x +2\right)^{2}} =-\frac{1}{\frac{1}{2}\sin 2x +2}[/tex] (3)

I'll concentrate on the sum.

To be continued.

Daniel.
 
  • #11
Here's the sum

[tex]I+J=\int \frac{dx}{\left(\frac{1}{2}\sin 2t +2\right)^2}[/tex] (4)

I make the sub

[tex]2x=t[/tex] (5)

[tex]I+J=\frac{1}{2}\int \frac{dt}{\left(\frac{1}{2}\sin t +2\right)^{2}}[/tex] (6)

I make the sub

[tex]\tan\frac{t}{2}=u[/tex] (7)

[tex]I+J=\int \frac{1+u^{2}}{(2u^{2}+u+2)^{2}} \ du=\frac{1}{4}\int \frac{1+u^{2}}{\left[\left(u+\frac{1}{4}-\frac{i\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)\left(u+\frac{1}{4}+\frac{i\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)\right]^{2}} \ du[/tex] (8)

Therefore

[tex]I+J=\int \frac{1+u^{2}}{\left[u^{2}+u\left(\frac{1}{2}-i\sqrt{3}\right)-\frac{11}{16}-\frac{i\sqrt{3}}{4}\right]\left[u^{2}+u\left(\frac{1}{2}+i\sqrt{3}\right)-\frac{11}{16}+\frac{i\sqrt{3}}{4}\right]} \ du[/tex] (9)

and now apply simple fractions.

Daniel.
 

Similar threads

Replies
7
Views
3K
Replies
28
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
3K