Calc II homework - substitution of definite and indefinite integrals

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The forum discussion revolves around solving the integral ∫(a*sin(14x))/(\sqrt{1-196x^2}) dx, evaluated from x=0 to x=1/28. The user, Ell, initially defined u as 14x and attempted substitution but struggled to find the correct solution. The conversation revealed that the integral may have a typo, suggesting that sin(14x) could be interpreted as arcsin(14x). Ultimately, the correct answer was derived using the inverse sine function, resulting in the value of π²/1008.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of definite and indefinite integrals
  • Familiarity with substitution methods in calculus
  • Knowledge of inverse trigonometric functions, specifically arcsin
  • Experience with numerical integration tools like Maple or Maxima
NEXT STEPS
  • Study integration techniques, focusing on substitution and integration by parts
  • Learn how to use Maple for symbolic computation in calculus
  • Explore the properties and applications of inverse trigonometric functions
  • Practice solving definite integrals with varying limits and functions
USEFUL FOR

Students enrolled in calculus courses, particularly those studying integration techniques, as well as educators looking for examples of problem-solving in calculus.

Capella Riddle
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
It's been a year since I took Calc I, and I'm taking Calc II online this semester. This is technically a review problem from Calc I, and I managed the other seven, but I can't figure out how to solve this problem.

1.a Homework Statement

∫(a*sin(14x))/(\sqrt{1-196x^2} dx, evaluated at x=0 (lower limit) and x=1/28 (upper limit), where "a" is a constant.

2.a Relevant equations
I've defined u as 14x, and dx=du/14; thus u(0)=0 and u(1/28)=14


3.a The attempt at a solution
Using this definition of u, I've been able to get the problem to this point:

\frac{1}{14}∫a*sin(u)*(1-u^2)^(-1/2), evaluated at an upper limit of 1/2 and a lower limit of 0

From here, I'm stumped. Am I using the wrong definition of u, or is there something I'm missing?

Thanks for any help,
Ell
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The obvious thing to try is integration by parts, differentiating the sin and integrating the surd. That gives an integral of the form ∫cos(θ)arcsin(θ)dθ, but there I get stuck. I thought the trick would be to repeat the process and end up with an equation like
(nasty definite integral) = [some function] + c*(same nasty definite integral)
but although arcsin can be integrated it just seems to get worse.
 
I've been stuck on it all afternoon. It comes out nice and simple if I assume sin(14x) is a typo that was instead supposed to be sin^{-1}(14x). The integral solves to \frac{225a}{7}. That isn't, however, the right answer. :confused:
-Ell
 
What is the supposed right answer? I think you are likely correct that there is a typo somewhere. I don't think that function has an elementary antiderivative. Maple gives a numerical answer 0.009367189922a. Is that the "right" answer?
 
The homework is posted in an online program that tell's me when the answer's wrong, but not what the right answer is. When I plug it in my calculator (not absolutely positive I'm doing so correctly), I get 1.6702*10^{-4}. The program wouldn't take that -with an "a" attached- as the correct answer either. As we haven't yet learned integration by parts and the homework set is supposed to be over substitution, I'm not sure haruspex is headed in the right direction.
-Ell
 
Capella Riddle said:
I've been stuck on it all afternoon. It comes out nice and simple if I assume sin(14x) is a typo that was instead supposed to be sin^{-1}(14x). The integral solves to \frac{225a}{7}. That isn't, however, the right answer. :confused:
-Ell
The typo is an interesting suggestion, but if that's right I would think it should be 'asin' rather than 'a*sin'. So it's ∫00.5asin(u)√(1-u2)du/14. For that, I don't get 225/7, so please post your working.
 
Oh. I've never seen asin as a notation for inverse sin before, so I assumed "a" was used as a constant, as it was further down in the problem set. Here's how I worked it:
u=asin(14x)
du=14(1-196x^{2})^{\frac{-1}{2}}
u(1/28)=30
u(0)=0

∫^{30}_{0}u(\frac{du}{14}) = \frac{1}{14}∫^{30}_{0}u du = (\frac{1}{14})(\frac{u^{2}}{2})|^{30}_{0} = \frac{30^{2}}{28} - \frac{0^{2}}{28} = \frac{900}{28} = \frac{225}{7}
 
Capella Riddle said:
Oh. I've never seen asin as a notation for inverse sin before, so I assumed "a" was used as a constant, as it was further down in the problem set. Here's how I worked it:
u=asin(14x)
du=14(1-196x^{2})^{\frac{-1}{2}}
u(1/28)=30
u(0)=0

∫^{30}_{0}u(\frac{du}{14}) = \frac{1}{14}∫^{30}_{0}u du = (\frac{1}{14})(\frac{u^{2}}{2})|^{30}_{0} = \frac{30^{2}}{28} - \frac{0^{2}}{28} = \frac{900}{28} = \frac{225}{7}

u(1/28) is asin(1/2) which is pi/6. Not 30. How did you get that?? I've seen asin instead of arcsin before. The free computer algebra system "maxima" uses it. Which is what I use.
 
Last edited:
Which comes out to \frac{pi^{2}}{1008}... Yes! That's the right answer! And right before the midnight deadline, too :biggrin: You guys are lifesavers;I had my calculator on degrees instead of radians, and now I know to look for the "asin" notation.
Thanks again, and ya'll rock!
-Ell
 

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 105 ·
4
Replies
105
Views
7K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K