Confusing Trig/rational Integral

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral \(\int (sin(t)-cos(t)) \sqrt{cos^2(t)-sin^2(t)} dt\), which involves trigonometric identities and integration techniques. Participants are exploring potential identities and methods to simplify the integral, particularly focusing on the expression under the square root.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of trigonometric identities, specifically whether \(\cos^2(t) - \sin^2(t) = \cos(2t)\) is applicable. There are attempts to apply integration by parts and substitutions, with some questioning the choice of \(u\) in their substitutions.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided identities that may assist in simplifying the integral, while others are exploring substitution methods. There is a recognition of the complexity involved, and multiple interpretations of the approach are being considered without a clear consensus on the best method.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the challenges of integrating a function that includes a square root of a trigonometric expression, with some expressing uncertainty about the implications of their substitutions and the derivatives involved.

Chaz706
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[tex]\int (sin(t)-cos(t)) \sqrt{cos^2(t)-sin^2(t)} dt[/tex]

Is there a trig idendity I can use? I've distributed that root to both terms to get:
[tex]\int sin(t) \sqrt{cos^2(t)-sin^2(t)} dt -[/tex] [tex]\int cos(t) \sqrt{cos^2(t)-sin^2(t)}[/tex]

If I take one of the terms and integrate by parts, I'm trying to put [tex]u=\sqrt{cos^2(t)-sin^2(t)}[/tex] and [tex]dv= sin(t)[/tex] or [tex]dv= cos(t)[/tex] but that ugly root's derivative appears inside the [tex]\int vdu[/tex] part.

Is there a trig identity I'm missing, or some other tactic I could use? or could this just be really really ugly math?
 
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Its either

[tex]cos^2(t) - sin^2(t) = cos(2t)[/tex]**

or

[tex]sin^2(t) - cos^2(t) = cos(2t)[/tex]
 
Whozum:
[tex]cos^2(t) - sin^2(t) = cos(2t)[/tex] is the correct identity (and thanks! It may just help!)

Your other identity: [tex]sin^2(t) - cos^2(t) = cos(2t)[/tex] is erroneous, but not by much. [tex]sin^2(t) - cos^2(t)[/tex] yields [tex]-cos(2t)[/tex]

This could actually help as well, however. Thank you for posting both (even if one was inaccurate).
 
You needn't that identity.

[tex]\int \left(\sin t-\cos t\right)\sqrt{\cos^{2}t-\sin^{2}t} \ dt = \int \sin t\sqrt{2\cos^{2}t-1} \ dt -\int \cos t\sqrt{1-2\sin^{2}t} \ dt[/tex]

Can u take it from here (HINT:obvious substitutions necessary) ?

Daniel.
 
That would have been much easier dex, I think...
 
Well it was one of the two, I justw anst sure which one. dex's way is easier though its basically the same thing.
 
The Method is substitution, but then what's u? I'm guessing the basic trig function outside the root is du.

But when I derive the function within that root, I get something different. The derivative of either one ends up to be [tex]-4cos(t)sin(t)[/tex].

Am I choosing the wrong U? I'm integrating with respect to t, and simply inserting the extra parts onto by basic trig function isn't exactly kosher.
 
Okay,let's take the first,i'll leave with the second,which is basically similar (maybe other substitution).

[tex]I=\int \sin t\sqrt{2\cos^{2}t-1} \ dt[/tex] (1)

becomes after the substitution [itex]\cos t=u;\sin t \ dt= -du[/itex] (2)

[tex]I=-\int \sqrt{2u^{2}-1} \ du[/tex](3)

Make the substitution

[tex]\sqrt{2} \ u=\cosh v;du=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} \sinh v \ dv[/tex](4)

Then

[tex]I=-\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\int \sinh^{2}v \ dv=-\frac{\sqrt{2}}{4}\int (\cosh 2v-1) \ dv=-\frac{\sqrt{2}}{8}\sinh 2v+\frac{\sqrt{2}}{4}v +C[/tex] (5)

And now invert the 2 substitutions

[tex]I=-\frac{\sqrt{2}}{8}\sinh \left(2 \ \mbox{arg}\cosh\left(\sqrt{2}\cos t\right)\right)+\frac{\sqrt{2}}{4}\mbox{arg}\cosh\left(\sqrt{2}\cos t\right) + C[/tex] (6)

I'm sure the other one will be simpler.

Daniel.
 
Last edited:
Didn't know that if you took [tex]cos(t) = u[/tex] that you could allow [tex]u^2[/tex] to simply be [tex]cos^2(t)[/tex].

Of course, I didn't think about that either.
 
  • #10
The other way around is incorrect,of course,but i simply squared.

Daniel.
 

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