Integrate sin(x^(1/2)): Monday's Final Help Needed

  • Context: Undergrad 
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of the function sin(√x). Participants explore various methods for solving the integral, including substitution and integration by parts, while also sharing personal strategies for tackling similar problems.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests help with the integral of sin(√x) and mentions the need for substitution and integration by parts.
  • Another participant suggests setting u = √x as a substitution for the integral.
  • A different participant shares an exploratory approach, discussing the value of guessing and experimenting with functions like xsin(√x) and x^(1/2)cos(√x) to derive results.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of understanding the textbook material related to the methods suggested in the problem.
  • Another participant provides a detailed step-by-step solution using the substitution method and integration by parts, ultimately expressing the result in terms of x.
  • A later reply expresses gratitude for the assistance and reflects on the realization of including u in the du expression during integration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the approach of using substitution and integration by parts, but there are differing opinions on the effectiveness of guessing and experimentation as a strategy for solving integrals.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the importance of understanding the specific methods required by the problem, suggesting that familiarity with the textbook material is crucial. There may be assumptions about the reader's prior knowledge of integration techniques that are not explicitly stated.

bjon-07
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Can you please help me on this problem. I cannot seem to find the anwser.

Intergrate (sin(x^(1/2))

The problems tell me to do a subsition then use by parts to solve it.
 
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Set [tex]u=\sqrt{x}[/tex]
 
guessing and playing around is also a useful technique sometimes. just looking at that i would try xsin(x^(1/2)) just to see what comes out. well i got some stuff with x^(1/2) in front, which led me to try x^(1/2)cos(x^(1/2)). that came close enough to guess the rest.

guessing and playing around is actually easier and faster sometiems than keeping track of all the products and signs in the "parts" algorithm.
 
When a question refers to certain style, i.e. "substitution", it is best to read the chapter to find out what it meant by it or atleast look it up in the textbook.

I recommend reading the sections of the chapters you have trouble with. If you don't read the text at all, may I ask why did you buy it?
 
With questions which tell you to use a certain method I think it is best to give it a go even if you do not see where it might lead.

[tex] \int {\sin \left( {\sqrt x } \right)} dx[/tex]

Let [tex]u = \sqrt x \Rightarrow \frac{{du}}{{dx}} = \frac{1}{{2\sqrt x }} \Rightarrow dx = 2\sqrt x du[/tex]

From the substitution made earlier you can write: [tex]dx = 2udu[/tex]

So you now have:

[tex] \int {\sin \left( {\sqrt x } \right)} dx[/tex]

[tex] = \int {\sin \left( u \right)2u} du[/tex]

[tex] = - 2u\cos \left( u \right) - \int {\left( { - \cos \left( u \right)} \right)} 2du[/tex]

[tex] = - 2u\cos \left( u \right) + \int {2\cos \left( u \right)} du[/tex]

[tex] = - 2u\cos \left( u \right) + 2\sin \left( u \right) + c[/tex]

[tex] = - 2\sqrt x \cos \left( {\sqrt x } \right) + 2\sin \left( {\sqrt x } \right) + c[/tex]
 
Thanks a lot for the help. Its all coming back to me now. I completey forgot that you can have a U in your du expression.
 

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