Can you solve the funny integral with a square root of tangent?

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    Funny Integral
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SUMMARY

The integral \(\int \sqrt{\tan x}\, dx\) presents significant challenges for mathematical software, with Mathematica providing a complex solution involving inverse tangent and logarithmic functions. Users reported that older versions of Maple, such as 5.3, and MuPAD successfully compute this integral, highlighting discrepancies in software capabilities. Additionally, the discussion introduced related integrals, including \(\int \frac{u^2}{u^4 + 1} du\), which can be solved through substitution methods. The conversation emphasizes the need for alternative approaches when standard software fails to yield results.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of integral calculus, particularly techniques involving substitution and integration by parts.
  • Familiarity with mathematical software such as Mathematica, Maple, and MuPAD.
  • Knowledge of inverse trigonometric functions and logarithmic identities.
  • Experience with LaTeX for mathematical typesetting.
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  • Explore advanced integration techniques, including integration by substitution and integration by parts.
  • Learn how to use Mathematica for solving complex integrals, focusing on its syntax and functions.
  • Investigate the capabilities of different versions of Maple and MuPAD for solving integrals.
  • Study the properties and applications of inverse trigonometric functions in calculus.
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Mathematicians, calculus students, and software developers interested in computational mathematics and integral solving techniques will benefit from this discussion.

Gellmann
[SOLVED] funny integral

hi everyone

its funny but all maths-software fail solving this "simple" integral

\int \sqrt{\tan x}\, dx

do you know another funny integrals?
 
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Mathematica gives an answer:

\frac{-2 \tan ^{-1}\left(1-\sqrt{2} \tan ^{\frac{1}{2}}(x)\right)+2 \tan ^{-1}\left(\sqrt{2} \tan ^{\frac{1}{2}}(x)+1\right)+\log<br /> \left(-\tan (x)+\sqrt{2} \tan ^{\frac{1}{2}}(x)-1\right)-\log \left(\tan (x)+\sqrt{2} \tan ^{\frac{1}{2}}(x)+1\right)}{2<br /> \sqrt{2}}
 
\int \sqrt{\tan(x)}dx=\int\frac{\sec^2(x)}{1+\tan^2(x)}\sqrt{\tan(x)}dx=\int\frac{2\tan(x)}{1+\tan^2(x)}d\sqrt{\tan(x)}
so it hinges on the always fun
\int\frac{x^2}{1+x^4}dx
 
What is about this integral .. ?

\int_0^{\frac \pi 2} \ln ( \sin x ) . \ dx

Can the mathematical softwares, such as Maple amd Mathematica give you
the answer :- \frac \pi 2 \ln 2 ?
 
Last edited:
Ali 2 said:
What is about this integral .. ?

\int_0^{\pi/2} \ln ( \sin x ) . \ dx

Change ln to its integral form (so you get a double integral) and use change of variables on that form.
 
hypermorphism said:
Change ln to its integral form (so you get a double integral) and use change of variables on that form.

Unfortunately, I edited my previous replay after you replied .. !

I wanted to say that the answer of this integral can't be obtained by Maple or Mathematica ..

Also , I solved the integral with a method different from your method .
 
Last edited:
lurflurf said:
\int \sqrt{\tan(x)}dx=\int\frac{\sec^2(x)}{1+\tan^2(x)}\sqrt{\tan(x)}dx=\int\frac{2\tan(x)}{1+\tan^2(x)}d\sqrt{\tan(x)}
so it hinges on the always fun
\int\frac{x^2}{1+x^4}dx

Wow, I was looking up ways to figure out how to use the LaTeX graphics so that I type \int \sqrt{\tan(x)}dx and ask for help solving that. It's a funny coincidence that I stumbled into this thread. I'm a very lucky person.

Anyway... I can transform the integral into 2\int\frac{u^2}{1+u^4}du. I know what the antiderivative of that is is (I found it in a book of mathematical tables), but I don't know how to prove it. Do you happen to know how to find the antiderivative of \frac{u^2}{1+u^4}?
 
Last edited:
Gellmann said:
hi everyone
its funny but all maths-software fail solving this "simple" integral
\int \sqrt{\tan x}\, dx
do you know another funny integrals?
There was a long thread on this a while back. Can't find it though. Another strange one I've found (similar to one posted above) is:

\int\frac{1}{1+x^4}\,dx

You have to use that fact that x4+1=(x2+1)2-2x2. And then use the difference of two squares. It gets messy.

Alex
 
Gellmann said:
hi everyone
its funny but all maths-software fail solving this "simple" integral
\int \sqrt{\tan x}\, dx
do you know another funny integrals?

You didn't try Derive 6! :)
 
  • #10
Gellmann said:
hi everyone
its funny but all maths-software fail solving this "simple" integral
\int \sqrt{\tan x}\, dx
do you know another funny integrals?

Not all, my ancient version of Maple (5.3 i guess) gives

\int \sqrt{\tan x}dx=\frac{1}{2}\sqrt{2}\arctan \sqrt{2}\frac{\tan ^{\frac{1}{2}}x}{1-\tan x}-\frac{1}{2}\sqrt{2}\ln \frac{\tan x+\sqrt{2}\tan ^{\frac{1}{2}}x+1}{\sqrt{\left( 1+\tan ^{2}x\right) }} + C.

Daniel.
 
  • #11
Gellman,

Incidentally, MuPAD also gives the correct result. What package were you using?
 
  • #12
This a method to solve the integral ..
\int \frac { u^2 } { u^4 +1 } du =\frac 12 \int \frac { 2u^2 } { u^4 +1 } du = \frac 12 \int \frac { u^2 -1 } { u^4 +1 } du + \frac { u^2 +1 } { u^4 +1 } du
= \frac 12 \int \frac { 1 - \frac 1 {u^2} }{ u^2 + \frac 1{u^2} } du<br /> +\frac 12 \int \frac { 1 + \frac 1 {u^2} }{ u^2 + \frac 1{u^2} } du<br />
= \frac 12 \int \frac { 1 - \frac 1 {u^2} }{ \left (u + \frac 1u \right ) ^2 -1 } du<br /> +\frac 12 \int \frac { 1 + \frac 1 {u^2} }{ \left (u - \frac 1u \right)^2 +1 } du
=\frac 12 \int \frac { d \left (u + \frac 1u \right ) }{ \left (u + \frac 1u \right ) ^2 -1 } <br /> +\frac 12 \int \frac { d \left (u - \frac 1u \right ) }{ \left (u - \frac 1u \right)^2 +1 }

\mbox { In the first integral , make the subsitution :} v = u + \frac 1u
\mbox { and in the second integral , make the subsitution : } v = u - \frac 1u

The integrals become now simple , you can integrate them easily
 
Last edited:
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  • #13
apmcavoy said:
There was a long thread on this a while back. Can't find it though. Another strange one I've found (similar to one posted above) is:
\int\frac{1}{1+x^4}\,dx
You have to use that fact that x4+1=(x2+1)2-2x2. And then use the difference of two squares. It gets messy.
Alex


Yes, that fact indeed. Read attached gif, see what is meant.
 

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  • Int(1 over t^4+1)dt(enlarged).gif
    Int(1 over t^4+1)dt(enlarged).gif
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