Seemingly simple integral gets complicated

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the integral of a function involving sine and cosine, specifically the integral of \(\sin{x} \sqrt{(\cos{x})^2 + 1}dx\). The original poster, an AP Calculus BC student, describes their attempts at solving the integral using substitution and trigonometric methods, noting that the problem became more complex than anticipated.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts substitution with \(u = \cos{x}\) and later considers trigonometric substitution. Some participants suggest alternative substitutions, including hyperbolic functions. Others raise questions about the correctness of the initial substitution and the integration of secant cubed.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, providing various suggestions and clarifications. There is acknowledgment of different methods for integrating secant cubed, and some participants express curiosity about hyperbolic functions. The discussion is ongoing, with no consensus reached yet.

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions a desire to ensure their approach is correct before proceeding further, indicating a focus on understanding rather than simply finding a solution. There is also a reference to the complexity of the problem as initially presented by the poster's brother.

EbolaPox
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Well, I'm an AP Calculus BC student, and I always liked to get ahead, so before the year started, I went through Calc I and II. Now that I'm in the class with a 100+, I'm simply refreshing myself on the Calc II portion. My brother decided to give me a seemingly simple problem that turned out more complicated than I expected. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Problem: Evaluate integral
[tex]\int \sin{x} \sqrt{(\cos{x})^2 + 1}dx[/tex]
I decided to use substitution initially, setting u = cos x. dx = du/-sin(x), thus eliminating the sin(x) and leaving [tex]\int \sqrt{u^2 + 1}du[/tex]
I then thought my best bet would be to approach this with trignometric substitution. I said tan([tex]\theta[/tex]) = u so
[tex]\sec{\theta}^2d\theta = du[/tex]
[tex]\int (\sec{\theta})^2\sqrt{(\tan(\theta)} +1)dx[/tex]
I then evaluated [tex]\sqrt{ (\tan{\theta})^2 +1 } = (\sec{\theta})[/tex]
Thus, my integral was simplified (relatively) down to
[tex]\int (\sec{\theta})^3 d\theta[/tex]
It just gets worse from there. Am I making some horrid mistake in my trignometric substitution or before or have I completely approached this incorrectly? I have more work that I've done, but I want to ensure that this is correct so far. Any help would be great. Thanks
 
Last edited:
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try u = sinht
 
It looks a-ok so far. Just don't forget the minus sign in your first u-substitution.

Do you know how to integrate secant cubed?
 
Your brother is a smart-ass!

To integrate [itex]sec^3(\theta)d(\theta)[/itex], first write it as [itex]\frac{d\theta}{cos^3(\theta)}[/itex]. Now multiply numerator and denominator by [itex]cos(\theta)[/itex] to get [itex]\frac{cos(\theta)d\theta}{cos^4(\theta)}= \frac{cos(\theta)d\theta}{(1-sin^2(\theta)^2}[/itex].
Let [itex]y= sin(\theta)[/itex] and this becomes [itex]\frac{dy}{(1-y^2)^2}[/itex] which can be done by partial fractions.
 
When I was in calculus I was taught that the only way to integrate secant cubed was by parts. Obviously this is not the case :rolleyes: .

By parts does not take too long, if you remember what to choose for u and dV!
 
To elaborate on what Fermat said, the integral can be written as:

[tex]\int\sqrt{1+x^2}\,dx[/tex]

Then you can use the suggested substitution.

And speaking of parts, try using dv = sec2θ.
 
Last edited:
Thanks to everyone who replied. For some reason, I didn't think about attempting integration by parts.

Thanks to suggestsions everyone, I'll try them out. A question though, for the y = sinh(t), if I'm correct, is that hyperbolic trignometric substitution? I'm not very familiar with hyperbolic functions. I'll read up on it. Thanks to everyone. Once I get some more work done on it, I'll post again to see if I did it correctly.
 
EbolaPox said:
... A question though, for the y = sinh(t), if I'm correct, is that hyperbolic trignometric substitution? ...
Yes, that's a hyperbolic substitution. I goes like this,

[tex]\int\ \sqrt{u^2 + 1}\ du[/tex]

[tex]\mbox{let } u = sinh\ t\mbox{, then,}[/tex]

[tex]du = cosh\ t\ dt[/tex]

carrying out the substitution,

[tex]\int\ \sqrt{sinh^2\ t + 1}\cdot cosh\ t\ dt[/tex]
[tex]\int\ \sqrt{cosh^2\ t}\cdot cosh\ t\ dt[/tex]
[tex]\int\ cosh^2\ t\ dt[/tex]

[tex]\mbox{There is an ordinary trig identity, } cos^2 x = \frac{1}{2} (1 + cos2x)[/tex]
all you have to do now is find the equivalent hyperbolic trig identity (try google), substitute, integrate, and back-substitute for x in the original integral.
 
Last edited:
Fascinating: I've never seen hyperbolic trignometry used for substitution. Thank you for elucidating on that. I''ll go study up on that.
 

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