What is the Integral of Sin(sqrt(t))?

  • Context: Undergrad 
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the integral of the function sin(sqrt(t)), specifically the definite integral from 1 to x². Participants explore various methods of integration, including substitution techniques and identities.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in approaching the integral and mentions reviewing trigonometric identities and substitutions.
  • Another suggests using a u-substitution for sqrt(t) to simplify the integral.
  • A participant presents an identity related to the integral of u sin(u) and proposes a form for the integral of sin(sqrt(t)).
  • Another participant challenges the effectiveness of the u-substitution, suggesting it leads to a more complex integral that may not have an elementary anti-derivative.
  • A different participant counters that the substitution does lead to a manageable integral using integration by parts.
  • One participant humorously remarks on the need to improve their algebra skills.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the approach to the integral. There are competing views on the effectiveness of the proposed substitution methods and whether the integral has an elementary anti-derivative.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the applicability of integration techniques and the nature of the integral remain unresolved. The discussion reflects differing opinions on the complexity of the integral.

SplinterIon
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I'm drawing a blank as to how to approach this one. I've been looking over all trig identities and substitutions I could possibly make - but to no avail :cry:.

[tex] \int_{1}^{x^2} \sin{(\sqrt{t})} \ dt [/tex]
 
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Try making a u-substitution for the square root of t.
 
indefinite integral...


The closest identity that I could determine is:

identity:
[tex]\int u \sin u \; du = \sin u - u \cos u + C[/tex]

[tex]\int \sin \sqrt{t} \; dt = 2 \left( \sin \sqrt{t} - \sqrt{t} \cos \sqrt{t} \right) + C[/tex]
 
MalleusScientiarum said:
Try making a u-substitution for the square root of t.

Good try but it looks to me like that gives you
[tex]\int u^{\frac{1}{2}}sin u du[/tex] which doesn't look any more hopeful.

I'd be willing to bet that this doesn't have an elementary anti-derivative.
 
Don't bet too much, Halls.

[tex]\sqrt{t}=u[/tex]

implies [itex]t=u^{2} \ \mbox{and} \ dt= 2 u du[/itex]

and the antiderivative becomes

[tex]\int 2 u \sin u \ du[/tex] which can be easily tackled with the part integration method.

Daniel.
 
One of these days, I really have to learn algebra!
 

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