Calculus II - Trigonometric Integrals HARD

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves evaluating the integral of sin^(-3/2)(x)cos^3(x) dx, which falls under the subject area of calculus, specifically trigonometric integrals. Participants express difficulty in determining how to approach the problem and explore various mathematical identities and formulas.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using trigonometric identities such as sin^2(x) + cos^2(x) = 1 and double angle formulas. Some express confusion about how to proceed after initial attempts, while others suggest potential substitutions or transformations to simplify the integral.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their attempts and insights. Some have referenced computational tools like MATLAB and Wolfram Alpha, which provide different outputs for the integral. There is no consensus on the best approach yet, but several lines of reasoning are being explored.

Contextual Notes

There is some ambiguity regarding the notation of the integral, as participants question whether the integrand is written correctly. Additionally, the original poster notes that the back of the book provides only odd answers for this problem, which adds to the complexity of their inquiry.

GreenPrint
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Homework Statement



Evaluate

integral sin^(-3/2)(x)cos^3(x) dx

Homework Equations



tan(x)=sin(x)/cos(x)
sin^2(x)+cos^2(x)=1
sin^2(x)=(1-cos(x))/2
cos^2(x)=(1+cos(2x))/2
integral cos(x)dx = sin(x) + c
integral sin(x)dx = -cos(x) + c
d/dx sin(x) = cos(x)
d/dx cos(x) = -sin(x)
a^m/a^n=a^(m-n)
a^m*a^n=a^(m+n)
sin(x)=(e^(ix)-e^(-ix))/(2i)
cos(x)=(e^(ix)+e^(-ix))/2
tan(x)=sin(x)/cos(x)
cis(x)=cos(x)+i*sin(x)=e^(ix)
cis(-x)=cos(x)-i*sin(x)=e^(-ix)
e^(i*pi)+1=0

The Attempt at a Solution


I'm at a lost as to how even to being...
I tried using sin^2(x)+cos^2(x)=1
I tried using some of the double angle formulas
every single time I get to the point were I don't know how to proceed

MATLAB answer:
>> int(cos(x)^3/sin(x)^(3/2))
Warning: Explicit integral could not be found.

ans =

int(cos(x)^3/sin(x)^(3/2), x)

Wolfram Alpha answer:
-40/9 F(1/4 (pi-2 x)|2)-2/9 sqrt(sin(x)) (2 cos(x)+3 x (sin(x)+3 csc(x)))+constant

My answer:
Don't even know how to proceed after a couple of steps

Back of the book:
Only odd answers are given... this is problem #16
 
Last edited:
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GreenPrint said:

Homework Statement



Evaluate

integral sin^(-3/2)(x)cos^3(x) dx

Homework Equations



tan(x)=sin(x)/cos(x)
sin^2(x)+cos^2(x)=1
sin^2(x)=(1-cos(x))/2
cos^2(x)=(1+cos(2x))/2
integral cos(x)dx = sin(x) + c
integral sin(x)dx = -cos(x) + c
d/dx sin(x) = cos(x)
d/dx cos(x) = -sin(x)
a^m/a^n=a^(m-n)
a^m*a^n=a^(m+n)
sin(x)=(e^(ix)-e^(-ix))/(2i)
cos(x)=(e^(ix)+e^(-ix))/2
tan(x)=sin(x)/cos(x)
cis(x)=cos(x)+i*sin(x)=e^(ix)
cis(-x)=cos(x)-i*sin(x)=e^(-ix)
e^(i*pi)+1=0

The Attempt at a Solution


I'm at a lost as to how even to being...
I tried using sin^2(x)+cos^2(x)=1
I tried using some of the double angle formulas
every single time I get to the point were I don't know how to proceed

MATLAB answer:
>> int(cos(x)^3/sin(x)^(3/2))
Warning: Explicit integral could not be found.

ans =

int(cos(x)^3/sin(x)^(3/2), x)

Wolfram Alpha answer:
-40/9 F(1/4 (pi-2 x)|2)-2/9 sqrt(sin(x)) (2 cos(x)+3 x (sin(x)+3 csc(x)))+constant

My answer:
Don't even know how to proceed after a couple of steps

Back of the book:
Only odd answers are given... this is problem #16

Maple gets a simple answer:
> f:=cos(x)^3/sin(x)^(3/2);
> J2:=int(f,x);
> J2 := -2/3*(sin(x)^2+3)/sin(x)^(1/2)

We can check to see if dJ2/dx = f:
> simplify(diff(J2,x));

> cos(x)^3/sin(x)^(3/2) <---- correct!

RGV
 
so how do i go about proceeding in this problem?
as far as doing it by hand
 
Try sin(x)=y.

RGV
 
What is the original question? The OP wrote it two different ways. Is the integrand this?
[tex]\sin^{-3/2} x \text{ }\cos^3 x[/tex]
Or this?
[tex]\frac{\cos^3 x}{\sin^{-3/2} x}[/tex]
 
Greenprint, there's a simple first step for these sorts of problems.. first:

[tex]\int sin^{-3/2}(x)cos^{3}(x)dx = \int sin^{-3/2}(x)(1-sin^{2}(x))cos(x)dx[/tex]

Can you see a substitution you can make now that might make things easier?

edit - eumyang, look at how the fraction version is written. the -3/2 is turned into a 3/2 by putting it in the denominator.
 

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