A difficult substitution & separable integral

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around two calculus problems: finding the area of a surface generated by rotating the curve y = cos(x) over the interval [0, π/3], and solving a first-order differential equation given by dy/dt = (ty + 3t)/(t^2 + 1) with the initial condition y(2) = 2.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore integration techniques, including integration by parts and substitutions for the first problem, while questioning the handling of limits of integration. The second problem raises questions about the role of the constant of integration.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on integration methods and the importance of evaluating definite integrals correctly. There is ongoing exploration of assumptions regarding the rotation axis for the surface area problem, and multiple interpretations of the integration process are being discussed.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential confusion regarding the limits of integration when making substitutions and the implications of using definite versus indefinite integrals. There is also a mention of the axis of rotation for the surface area problem, which remains to be clarified.

silicon_hobo
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Homework Statement


I'm not sure how to proceed here. The first one asks me to find the area of a surface obtained by rotating the curve y = cos(x), 0 \leq x \leq\ \frac{\pi}{3}

The second one asks to Solve: \frac{dy}{dt} = \frac{ty+3t}{t^2+1}\ y(2)=2

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


http://www.mcp-server.com/~lush/shillmud/int3.4.JPG
I've tried a bunch of different substitutions but I always stall on the integration.

http://www.mcp-server.com/~lush/shillmud/int3.7.JPG
I'm not sure how to satisfy the condition y(2) = 2. Thank you again for your help.
 
Last edited:
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For the first question, integrate (secx)^3 by parts with u = secx and dv = (secx)^2.

For the second question, remember, there's a + C.
 
Thanks for the reply.

Alright so if I inetgrate the first one fully from sec^3 I get:

\int^\frac{\pi}{3}_{0}(sec^3\ x\ dx) = sec\ x\ tan x - \int(sec\ x\ tan^2\ x dx)
= sec\ x\ tan\ x - \int(sec\ x\ (sec^2\ x - 1) dx)
= sec\ x\ tan\ x - \int(sec^3\ x\ dx) + \int(sec\ x\ dx)
= sec\ x\ tan\ x - \int(sec^3\ x\ dx) + ln(sec\ x + tan\ x) + C
\int(sec^3\ x\ dx) = 1/2(sec\ x\ tan\ x + ln(sec\ x + tan\ x)) + C

But as you can see in my orginal post I have been a substitution. I believe I must return to the original term. However, I do not see in opportunity to do so during the integration above.

As for the second question, how does C change anything there? Cheers.
 
Why did you change from a definite integral to an indefinite integral?

The way you have this written, yes, you should go back to your original variable, x, and evaluate at 0 and \pi/3. The "C" will cancel and means nothing in a definite integral.

It's usually simpler to change the limits of integration as you substitute.

In what you wrote originally you make the substution u= -sin(x) but still has 0 and \pi/3 as your limits of integration. That's incorrect. When x= 0, u= 0 so the lower limit is still 0 but when x= \pi/3, u= sin(\pi/3)= \sqrt{3}/2.
 
Right, but do I have to change the limits of integration again for the 2nd sub to tan & sec^2... seems like I have done this one the hard way.
 
\int\sec^3 xdx=\mbox{the average of the derivative and integral of secant}
 
i have a doubt here. When we say that a curve is rotated, like on rotation of y = cos(x), as in this question.. which axis are we rotating it along?

I could rotate it along the x-axis, the y-axis or an axis that is perpendicular to the y-axis and passes through (0, Cos[pi/3]).
 
rocomath said:
\int\sec^3 xdx=\mbox{the average of the derivative and integral of secant}

Ok, so is that a yes or no to the "do I need to change the limits of integration a second time" question:P Thanks for your patience folks. It's a rotation about the x-axis.
 
silicon_hobo said:
Ok, so is that a yes or no to the "do I need to change the limits of integration a second time" question:P Thanks for your patience folks. It's a rotation about the x-axis.

No, because you didn't substitute anything. You used integration by parts. Everything is in terms of x, not u or v.
 
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  • #10
Sorry, I've made this really confusing (for myself as well). When i put the integration of sec^3 in latex i used x but if you look to the top it should actually be an integration of sec^3 theta which is the result of a substitution of -sin x for tan theta.
 
  • #11
bump (save me from these numbers and symbols)
 

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