Anti-Derivative of cos(theta^2): Chain Rule?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around finding the anti-derivative of the function cos(theta^2) and whether the chain rule applies in this context. Participants explore the nature of the anti-derivative, its expressibility in elementary functions, and various methods for approaching the problem, including series expansion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the anti-derivative of cos(theta^2) cannot be expressed as an elementary function.
  • Another participant notes that using the chain rule would typically result in a product, complicating the derivation of this function.
  • Several participants express uncertainty about how to find the anti-derivative, with one asking directly for methods to approach it.
  • A participant proposes using the MacLaurin series for cos(theta) to derive the series for cos(theta^2) and then integrating term by term.
  • Another participant mentions that when functions are difficult to integrate in elementary terms, they can be expressed as infinite series for integration.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the anti-derivative of cos(theta^2) is not expressible in elementary form, but there is no consensus on the best method to find the anti-derivative or the applicability of the chain rule.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference the continuity of the function and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, but the discussion does not resolve the mathematical steps or assumptions involved in the integration process.

afcwestwarrior
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whats the anti derivative of cos(theta^2)
do i use the chain rule
 
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somebody could answer this and make me look stupid but I am going to guess this is a function whose antiderivative cannot be expressed as an elementary combination of the usual suspects.

if you think about it, using the chain rule would be expected to give you a product as an answer, so it is hard to imagine how to get this function as a derivative.

of course it is continuous, hence the ftc says it is the derivative of its indefinite integral.
 
so i find the derivative of it
 
hmmmm
 
i thought it would be 2* sin (theta)^2
 
the anti-derivative of [itex]cos(\theta^2)[/itex] can't be expressed in terms of elementary functions as mathwonk said.

But if you want to find the derivative of it, you'll need the chain rule.
 
how would i find the antiderivative of it
 
Not all functions have anti-derivatives that can expressed in familiar form (ie. elementary form) This would be one of those.
 
afcwestwarrior said:
how would i find the antiderivative of it

Look up the MacLaurin of [tex]cos(\theta)[/tex], from there figure out what the MacLaurin would be for [tex]cos(\theta^{2})[/tex]. Now you can integrate it out and see what you get.
 
  • #10
afcwestwarrior said:
how would i find the antiderivative of it

Whenever a function is difficult or even impossible to integrate in terms of the elementary functions, you can always reduce it to an infinite series and integrate it term by term.

The series for cos (x) is 1 – x^2/2! + x^4/4! – x^6/6! . . . . .

Just plug x^2 in there in place of x and get:

1 – x^4/2! + x^8/4! – x^12/6! . . . . .

Now just integrate that term by term. Because of the factorials in the denominator the series converges quickly so only 3 terms should be needed unless you require great accuracy.
 
  • #11
ok i get it, I'm very slow like a turtle,

"The mind may be slow at times, but through time the information will be gathered."
Eugeno Ponce
 

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