Antiderivative involving Trig Identities.

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the evaluation of the integral $$2 \int 4 \sin^2x \, dx$$ using trigonometric identities. Participants clarify the correct application of the identity $$\sin^2x = \frac{1 - \cos2x}{2}$$ and the proper handling of constants during integration. The final result is established as $$2\arcsin(\frac{x}{2}) - \frac{1}{2} x\sqrt{4 - x^2} + C$$ after applying the appropriate substitutions and identities. The conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly managing constants and identities in integral calculus.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of integral calculus
  • Familiarity with trigonometric identities, specifically $$\sin^2x$$ and double-angle formulas
  • Knowledge of substitution methods in integration
  • Ability to manipulate constants in integrals
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of trigonometric identities in integration, focusing on $$\sin^2x$$ and $$\cos^2x$$
  • Learn about integration techniques involving substitution, particularly trigonometric substitutions
  • Explore the properties of definite integrals and their relationship to antiderivatives
  • Practice solving integrals involving square roots and trigonometric functions
USEFUL FOR

Students and educators in calculus, particularly those focusing on integral calculus and trigonometric functions, as well as anyone seeking to improve their skills in solving integrals involving trigonometric identities.

shamieh
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A little confused on something.

Suppose I have the integral

$$2 \int 4 \sin^2x \, dx$$

So I understand that $$\sin^2x = \frac{1 - \cos2x}{2}$$

BUT we have a 4 in front of it, so shouldn't we pull the $$4$$ out in front of the integral to get:

$$8 \int \frac{1 - \cos 2x}{2} \, dx$$

then pull out the $$\frac{1}{2}$$ to get: $$4 \int 1 - \cos 2x \, dx$$

then:

$$8 [ x + \frac{1}{2} \sin2x ] + C$$?
 
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I would switch the constants so that we have:

$$4\int 2\sin^2(x)\,dx$$

Apply the identity:

$$4\int 1-\cos(2x)\,dx$$

And then we have:

$$4x-2\sin(2x)+C$$
 
shamieh said:
A little confused on something.

Suppose I have the integral

$$2 \int 4 \sin^2x \, dx$$

So I understand that $$\sin^2x = \frac{1 - \cos2x}{2}$$

BUT we have a 4 in front of it, so shouldn't we pull the $$4$$ out in front of the integral to get:

$$8 \int \frac{1 - \cos 2x}{2} \, dx$$

then pull out the $$\frac{1}{2}$$ to get: $$4 \int 1 - \cos 2x \, dx$$

then:

$$8 [ x + \frac{1}{2} \sin2x ] + C$$?

Surely you mean $\displaystyle \begin{align*} 4 \left[ x + \frac{1}{2}\sin{(2x)} \right] + C \end{align*}$. Apart from that everything you have done is correct :)
 
MarkFL said:
I would switch the constants so that we have:

$$4\int 2\sin^2(x)\,dx$$

Apply the identity:

$$4\int 1-\cos(2x)\,dx$$

And then we have:

$$4x-2\sin(2x)+C$$
I see. Ok here is where I am getting lost Mark. My original problem was this $$\int \frac{x^2}{\sqrt{4 - x^2}} dx$$

So I got to the step we just mentioned above (ignore that my final answer had an 8 in front of all those terms, should be a 4 - BUT I then noticed that the A.D. of $$\cos(2\theta)$$ is just $$\frac{1}{2}\sin(2\theta) $$THUS I can now change the 4 to a 2 since$$ \frac{4}{2} = 2$$ when I pulled it out to the constant.)

Finally, after applying all of those changes - now I am here:

$$2\theta - 2\sin(2\theta) + C$$ ... So then I said ok, simple enough, just sub back in for my original equation where I had $$x = 2\sin\theta$$ which becomes $$\theta = \arcsin(\frac{x}{2})$$ (Note: From when I used my trig sub)

Thus $$2\arcsin(\frac{x}{2}) - 2\sin(2\arcsin(\frac{x}{2})) $$ But somehow my teacher is getting:

$$2\arcsin(\frac{x}{2}) - \frac{1}{2} x\sqrt{4 -x^2} + C$$ as the final answer..In the second term when i have sin(arcsin ... etc What would I do there?
 
We are given:

$$I=\int \frac{x^2}{\sqrt{4-x^2}}\,dx$$

I would use the substitution:

$$x=2\sin(\theta)\,\therefore\,dx=2\cos(\theta)\,d \theta$$

And so now we have:

$$I=\int \frac{4\sin^2(\theta)}{\sqrt{4-4\sin^2(\theta)}}\,2\cos(\theta)\,d\theta$$

Simplifying this, we obtain:

$$I=4\int \sin^2(\theta)\,d\theta$$

This is half of what I began with in post #2 above, so using that method, we would obtain:

$$I=2\theta-\sin(2\theta)+C$$

Now, using the double-angle identity for sine, we may write:

$$I=2\theta-2\sin(\theta)\cos(\theta)+C$$

Observing that:

$$\sin(\theta)=\frac{x}{2}\implies\cos(\theta)=\frac{\sqrt{4-x^2}}{2}$$

we may now write:

$$I=2\sin^{-1}\left(\frac{x}{2} \right)-\frac{x\sqrt{4-x^2}}{2}+C$$

I think you are still trying to pull constants out in front of your integrals that are not factors of the entire integrand. :D
 
Yes you are exactly right. I was pulling things out in front that I couldn't (Drunk)

So essentially I should have

$$4[\theta - \frac{1}{2}\sin(2\theta)]$$

Which becomes:

$$ 4\theta-2\sin(2\theta)$$

Which then becomes:

$$2\theta - \sin(2\theta)$$

Then plug in double angle formula,

Then 2 in the second term cancels out with the $$\frac{x}{2}$$

Wow I see where I made my many errors. Thanks for the clarification.
 

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