Calc II homework - substitution of definite and indefinite integrals

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a calculus problem involving the evaluation of a definite integral of the form ∫(a*sin(14x))/(\sqrt{1-196x^2}) dx, with specified limits. The problem is situated within the context of integration techniques, particularly substitution.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore different substitutions for the integral, with one suggesting a potential typo in the original function. There are attempts to apply integration by parts and to clarify the notation used for inverse sine.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing their attempts and questioning the correctness of their approaches. Some have provided alternative interpretations of the integral, while others have noted discrepancies in their results. There is no explicit consensus on the correct approach, but various lines of reasoning are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention constraints related to the homework format, including the requirement to use substitution and the lack of feedback on correct answers from the online program. There are also discussions about the notation used for inverse sine and its implications for the problem.

Capella Riddle
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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
 
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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
 

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