Integral of sec^3(x) | Solving with Tan^2(x)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral of secant cubed, specifically the expression \(\int \sec^3{x} \, dx\). Participants are exploring various methods to approach this integral, including the use of trigonometric identities and integration techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss simplifying the integral using the identity \(\sec^2{x} = 1 + \tan^2{x}\) and integration by parts. There are attempts to express the integral in terms of secant and tangent functions, as well as using substitutions involving sine and cosine.

Discussion Status

Several participants have offered different approaches, including integration by parts and substitution methods. There is a recognition of the complexity of the integral, with some participants expressing that the problem may be simpler than initially thought. However, no explicit consensus has been reached on a single method.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating through various techniques while adhering to homework constraints, which may limit the depth of exploration. Some assumptions about the integral's properties and the use of trigonometric identities are being questioned.

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Homework Statement



I'm just trying to solve this

[tex]\int {\sec^3{x} dx[/tex]

Homework Equations


[tex]sec^2{x} = 1 + tan^2{x}[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



well i was able to simplify it to this:

[tex]\int {\sec{x}*\tan^2{x}} dx + \ln{|\sec{x} + \tan{x}|}[/tex]

but I still was not able to find that new integral
 
Last edited:
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INT[sec^3x]dx
= INT[secx.sec^2x]dx
By parts (differentiating secx and integrating sec^2x):
= INT[secx.sec^2x]dx
= secx.tanx - INT[secx.tan^2x]dx
= secx.tanx - INT[secx(sec^2x - 1)]dx
= secx.tanx - INT[sec^3x - secx]dx
So we have:

INT[sec^3x]dx = secx.tanx - INT[sec^3x - secx]dx
INT[sec^3x]dx = secx.tanx - INT[sec^3x]dx + INT[secx]dx
2 INT[sec^3x]dx = secx.tanx + INT[secx]dx
2 INT[sec^3x]dx = secx.tanx + Ln|secx + tanx|
INT[sec^3x]dx = 1/2 secx.tanx + 1/2 Ln|secx + tanx|
 
[tex]\int \frac{\cos x}{\left( 1-\sin ^{2}x\right) ^{2}}dx=\allowbreak \int \frac{1}{\left( 1-t^{2}\right) ^{2}}\,dt[/tex]

for the last integral, use simple fractions. [itex]\sin x=t[/itex] has been used.
 
Ah, alright thanks. It was simpler than i thought it would be
 
Another way: Since sec(x)= 1/cos(x),
[tex]\int sec^3(x)dx= \int\frac{dx}{cos^3(x)}[/tex]
which is an odd power of cos(x). Multiply numerator and denominator by cos(x):
[tex]\int \frac{cos(x)dx}{cos^4(x)}= \int\frac{cos(x)dx}{(1- sin^2(x))^2}[/tex]
Let u= sin(x) so du= cos(x)dx
[tex]\int \frac{du}{(1-u^2)^2}= \int\frac{du}{(1-u)^2(1+u)^2}[/tex]
and, again, use partial fractions.
 

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