Calculus II - Trigonometric Integrals

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around trigonometric integrals in a Calculus II context, focusing on the evaluation of integrals involving sine and cosine functions. Participants are attempting to reconcile their results with those provided by computational tools.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are examining the correctness of trigonometric identities related to sine and cosine squares. There is an exploration of discrepancies between manual calculations and results from Wolfram Alpha. Questions arise regarding the validity of derived expressions and the implications of arbitrary constants in indefinite integrals.

Discussion Status

Some participants have identified potential mistakes in their work, particularly concerning the application of trigonometric identities. There is ongoing exploration of the differences in results obtained from various expressions, with suggestions to verify definite integrals to clarify the discrepancies.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the information they can share. There is a focus on ensuring that the identities used are accurate, and some participants express uncertainty about their calculations.

GreenPrint
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Homework Statement



Apparently I'm doing something wrong. I'm kind of lost as to what because I looked over my work several times.

Homework Equations



sin^2 x = ( 1 - cos 2x )/2
cos^2 x = ( 1 - sin 2x )/2
integral sin(x) dx = -cos(x)
integral cos(x) dx = sin(x)

The Attempt at a Solution



SEE ATTACHMENT
Wolfram Alpha says the correct solution is 1/64 (24 x+8 sin(4 x)+sin(8 x))+constant
Thanks for any help you can provide!
 

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GreenPrint said:
sin^2 x = ( 1 - cos 2x )/2
cos^2 x = ( 1 - sin 2x )/2
The bolded is not right. It should be
[tex]\cos^2 x = \frac{1 + \cos 2x}{2}[/tex]
 
Thanks for your response. My book specifically told me those were true and even use the fact that they were to evaluate a integral. For example:
 
Last edited:
this
 

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So i guess there's a plus sign and I forgot to include it becuase i used minus instead

sin^2 x = ( 1 - cos 2x )/2
cos^2 x = ( 1 + sin 2x )/2

cos^2 x = ( 1 + sin 2x )/2 instead of cos^2 x = ( 1 - sin 2x )/2

That is one mistake in my work... assuming that formula is right
 
oh man I am an idiot thanks
 
I guess I'm still doing something wrong, don't know what though
 

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cos^2(x) = 1/2(1 + cos(2x))
 
Ya I know. I still don't see what I did wrong though in post #7
 
  • #10
GreenPrint said:
Ya I know. I still don't see what I did wrong though in post #7

It's actually the same as the answer you got from Wolfram. You just need to factor out another 1/8.
[itex]\frac{1}{8}\left( 3x + \sin 4x + \frac{\sin 8x}{8}\right) + C[/itex]
[itex]= \frac{1}{8}\left( \frac{24x}{8} + \frac{8\sin 4x}{8} + \frac{\sin 8x}{8}\right) + C[/itex]
Do you see it now?
 
  • #11
The answers don't seem to match though for some reason and I don't have a clue as to what I'm doing wrong...

The answer I got was
1/8 [ 3x + sin(4x) + sin(8x)/8 ]+ c
wolfram alpha returned
1/32 (12 x-8 sin(2 x)+sin(4 x))+constant

if they are equal to each other I should be able to plug in a value for x in both expressions and get the same results... this however doesn't occur

1/8 [ 3*5 + sin(4*5) + sin(8*5)/8 ]+ c is about 2.000760549 + c

1/32 (12*5 -8 sin(2*5)+sin(4*5))+constant is about 2.039534817 + c

It would appear to be that i am off by a little bit... which is strange cause I don't see what I did wrong

and you they would appear to be equal to each other but i guess they are not
 
  • #12
anyone?
 
  • #13
GreenPrint said:
The answers don't seem to match though for some reason and I don't have a clue as to what I'm doing wrong...

The answer I got was
1/8 [ 3x + sin(4x) + sin(8x)/8 ]+ c
wolfram alpha returned
1/32 (12 x-8 sin(2 x)+sin(4 x))+constant

if they are equal to each other I should be able to plug in a value for x in both expressions and get the same results... this however doesn't occur

1/8 [ 3*5 + sin(4*5) + sin(8*5)/8 ]+ c is about 2.000760549 + c

1/32 (12*5 -8 sin(2*5)+sin(4*5))+constant is about 2.039534817 + c

It would appear to be that i am off by a little bit... which is strange cause I don't see what I did wrong

and you they would appear to be equal to each other but i guess they are not

For *indefinite* integrations, the C is an arbitrary constant. There is no reason the two C's should be the same. However, you ought to get the same results for the definite integral from a to b. Have you tried it?

RGV
 
  • #14
Ya I got different results when I integrated both functions from 2 to 10

for 1/8 [ 3*x + sin(4*x) + sin(8*x)/8 ]
I got roughly 18.01464011

for 1/32 (12*x -8 sin(2*x)+sin(4*x))
I got roughly 18.13678944
 
  • #15
GreenPrint said:
The answers don't seem to match though for some reason and I don't have a clue as to what I'm doing wrong...

The answer I got was
1/8 [ 3x + sin(4x) + sin(8x)/8 ]+ c
wolfram alpha returned
1/32 (12 x-8 sin(2 x)+sin(4 x))+constant

WA gave me 1/64(24x + 8sin(4x) + sin(8x)) + constant, which is equivalent to the answer you say you got above.
For the other answer that you say WA gave you, I took its derivative in WA and it gave sin4x, so it looks like you had a mistake when you entered it in.
 
  • #16
huh weird thanks
 

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