Integration of a trigonometic function

In summary, my thinking was to have everything changed to a function that has cosine only. However, the Chain Rule won't work because the integrand has a trigonometric term.
  • #1
chwala
Gold Member
2,650
351
Homework Statement
find ##\int_0^{0.5π} \frac {sin^2 x}{sin x + cos x}dx##
Relevant Equations
integration
my thinking was to have everything changed to a function that has cosine only...

##\int_0^{0.5π} \frac {1-cos^2x}{sin x + cos x}dx##

##\int_0^{0.5π} \frac {(1-cos x)(1+cos x)}{(1-cos^2x)^{0.5} + cos x}dx## ...

first of all is this integration possible? if so then let me know if i am on the right track...chain rule?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Hint: [tex]
\begin{align*}
\cos(x - \tfrac{\pi}4) &= \frac1{\sqrt 2}(\cos x + \sin x) \\
\sin(x + \tfrac{\pi}4) &= \frac1{\sqrt 2}(\cos x + \sin x)
\end{align*}
[/tex]
 
  • Like
Likes chwala and etotheipi
  • #3
Or am I supposed to use the relation of expressing sum of trig functions as a product...for the denominator...
 
  • #4
pasmith said:
Hint: [tex]
\begin{align*}
\cos(x - \tfrac{\pi}4) &= \frac1{\sqrt 2}(\cos x + \sin x) \\
\sin(x + \tfrac{\pi}4) &= \frac1{\sqrt 2}(\cos x + \sin x)
\end{align*}
[/tex]
Never seen this identity...how did you arrive at it?I would like to see how it was derived or reference
 
  • #5
i am getting,
##\frac {4}{π√2}\int_0^{0.5π} \frac {sin(u-0.25π)}{sin u}du##
=##\frac {4}{π√2}\int_0^{0.5π} \frac {sinu-cos u}{sin u}du##
==##\frac {4}{π√2}\int_0^{0.5π} [1-cot u ]du=\frac {4}{π√2}\left.[u-ln sin u]\right|_0^{0.5π}##
=##\frac {4}{π√2}\left.[(x+0.25π)-ln sin (x+0.25π)]\right|_0^{0.5π}##
correct?
 
Last edited:
  • #6
chwala said:
Never seen this identity...how did you arrive at it?I would like to see how it was derived or reference

Use the identities [tex]
\begin{align*}
\cos(x \pm y) &= \cos x \cos y \mp \sin x \sin y \\
\sin(x \pm y) &= \sin x \cos y \pm \cos x \sin y
\end{align*}
[/tex] and [itex]\cos \frac{\pi}4 = \sin \frac{\pi}4 = \frac1{\sqrt 2}[/itex].

You can use @etotheipi's suggestion (which they have now deleted) of using the identities [tex]
\cos x = \sin (\tfrac{\pi}2 - x), \qquad \sin x = \cos(\tfrac{\pi}2 - x)
[/tex] to show that [tex]\int_0^{\pi/2} \frac{\sin^2 x}{\cos x + \sin x}\,dx =
\frac12 \int_0^{\pi/2} \frac{1}{\sin x + \cos x}\,dx[/tex] and then use the identity I posted to simplify the denominator.
 
  • Like
Likes chwala
  • #7
pasmith said:
Use the identities [tex]
\begin{align*}
\cos(x \pm y) &= \cos x \cos y \mp \sin x \sin y \\
\sin(x \pm y) &= \sin x \cos y \pm \cos x \sin y
\end{align*}
[/tex] and [itex]\cos \frac{\pi}4 = \sin \frac{\pi}4 = \frac1{\sqrt 2}[/itex].

You can use @etotheipi's suggestion (which they have now deleted) of using the identities [tex]
\cos x = \sin (\tfrac{\pi}2 - x), \qquad \sin x = \cos(\tfrac{\pi}2 - x)
[/tex] to show that [tex]\int_0^{\pi/2} \frac{\sin^2 x}{\cos x + \sin x}\,dx =
\frac12 \int_0^{\pi/2} \frac{1}{\sin x + \cos x}\,dx[/tex] and then use the identity I posted to simplify the denominator.

am still not getting it...how does the numerator change from ##sin^2 x## to ##1##
what i know probably is using ##cos 2x= 1-2sin^2x##, this way its clear to me...
ok i have seen it,..you want me to use ##sin x=\frac {1}{√2}##→##sin^2x=0.5## :cool:
 
Last edited:
  • #8
pasmith said:
You can use @etotheipi's suggestion (which they have now deleted) of using the identities [tex]
\cos x = \sin (\tfrac{\pi}2 - x), \qquad \sin x = \cos(\tfrac{\pi}2 - x)
[/tex] to show that [tex]\int_0^{\pi/2} \frac{\sin^2 x}{\cos x + \sin x}\,dx =
\frac12 \int_0^{\pi/2} \frac{1}{\sin x + \cos x}\,dx[/tex] and then use the identity I posted to simplify the denominator.

Yeah sorry about that, I looked at the integral and went "yeah, I know how to do that", wrote a little comment but then realized that the resulting integral isn't too easy either. But then I read your post #2, and with those identities you can indeed then solve the ##1/(\sin{x} + \cos{x})## integral, so I guess the suggestion was fine all along 😜
 
  • #9
i am now getting,
##\frac {1}{2√2}\int_0^{0.5π} \frac {1}{cos (x-0.25π)}dx##
=##\frac {1}{2√2}\left.ln |sec (x-0.25π)+ tan (x-0.25π)|\right|_0^{0.5π}##
 
  • #10
N.B. one can also use the Weierstrass ##t=\tan{x/2}## on the integral in #6, i.e. with$$\frac{dt}{dx} = \frac{1}{2} \sec^2{(x/2)} = \frac{1}{2}(1+t^2), \quad \sin{x} = \frac{2t}{1+t^2},\quad \cos{x} = \frac{1-t^2}{1+t^2}$$
 
  • Like
Likes chwala
  • #11
is post ##9## correct?
 
  • #12
1610040750632.png
 
  • #13
1610042294281.png


yep, i nailed it bingo! Africa power...
 
  • Like
Likes Delta2
  • #14
pasmith said:
Hint: [tex]
\begin{align*}
\cos(x - \tfrac{\pi}4) &= \frac1{\sqrt 2}(\cos x + \sin x) \\
\sin(x + \tfrac{\pi}4) &= \frac1{\sqrt 2}(\cos x + \sin x)
\end{align*}
[/tex]

aaarrgh i have always known this, i guess my brain was off at the time...
 
  • #15
chwala said:
Never seen this identity...how did you arrive at it?I would like to see how it was derived or reference
##cos (m+p)=cosmcosp-sinmsinp##
if ##p=45^0##...then we end up getting your hint indicated in your post ##2##.
I know this very well, cheers
 

1. What is the process for integrating a trigonometric function?

The process for integrating a trigonometric function involves using the basic integration rules, such as the power rule and the substitution rule, along with the specific trigonometric identities to simplify the function. Once the function is simplified, it can be integrated using standard integration techniques.

2. Can all trigonometric functions be integrated?

Yes, all trigonometric functions can be integrated using the standard integration techniques. However, some functions may require more advanced techniques, such as integration by parts or trigonometric substitution.

3. How do I know when to use trigonometric substitution for integration?

Trigonometric substitution is typically used when the integrand contains a square root of a quadratic expression involving trigonometric functions. It can also be used when the integrand contains a product of trigonometric functions.

4. What are the common trigonometric identities used for integration?

Some common trigonometric identities used for integration include the Pythagorean identities, double angle identities, and half angle identities. These identities can be used to simplify the integrand and make the integration process easier.

5. Are there any tips for solving tricky trigonometric integrals?

One tip for solving tricky trigonometric integrals is to try using substitution to simplify the function. Another tip is to look for patterns and use known trigonometric identities to manipulate the integrand. It can also be helpful to sketch the graph of the function to gain a better understanding of its behavior.

Similar threads

  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
496
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
9
Views
196
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
15
Views
790
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
349
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
844
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
689
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
565
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
19
Views
1K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
769
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
10
Views
454
Back
Top