Can You Help Me Solve This Trigonometric Integral?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a trigonometric integral involving sine and cosine functions. Participants explore the steps taken to integrate the expression and check for errors in the calculations. The focus is on the mathematical reasoning and the application of identities in the integration process.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • MacLaddy presents an initial attempt to solve the integral \(\int\sin^{\frac{-3}{2}}(x)*cos^3(x) dx\) and outlines the steps taken, including the use of a Pythagorean identity.
  • Sudharaka points out an error in MacLaddy's distribution of exponents, suggesting that the exponents should be added rather than multiplied.
  • MacLaddy revises the integral based on Sudharaka's feedback, but still finds discrepancies between their solution and the one provided by Wolfram.
  • Sudharaka confirms that MacLaddy's revised steps are correct and suggests simplifying the solution using a common denominator and the double angle formula.
  • MacLaddy acknowledges the connection to the double angle formula and provides a final expression for the integral.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants engage in a collaborative effort to identify errors and refine the solution, with Sudharaka providing corrections and guidance. However, there remains uncertainty regarding the equivalence of their solution to the one given by Wolfram, indicating that the discussion is not fully resolved.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include potential misunderstandings in the application of algebraic identities and the simplification process, which may affect the final result. The discussion does not resolve whether the final expression matches Wolfram's output.

MacLaddy1
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Hello again. I am hoping that someone can assist in checking my work regarding a trigonometric integral.

The problem and my attempt to solve is as follows.

[math]\int\sin^{\frac{-3}{2}}(x)*cos^3(x) dx[/math]

[math]\int\sin^{\frac{-3}{2}}(x)*cos^2(x)*cos(x) dx[/math]

Using a Pythagorean identity,

[math]\int\sin^{\frac{-3}{2}}(x)*(1-sin^2(x))*cos(x) dx[/math]

Distributing

[math]\int[\sin^{\frac{-3}{2}}(x)-sin^{-3}(x)]*cos(x)dx[/math]

Substituting

U=sin(x) du=cos(x)dx

[math]\int [u^{\frac{-3}{2}}-u^{-3}]du[/math]

Integrating

[math]-2u^{\frac{-1}{2}}+\frac{1}{2}u^{-2}[/math]

And finally, and simplified as I can see,

[math]-\frac{2}{\sqrt{\sin(x)}}+\frac{1}{2\sin^2(x)}+C[/math]

I've looked at this a few times and couldn't find any errors, but Wolfram is coming up with an answer that doesn't Jive with what I have. That being the case, I would really appreciate it if someone could take a look at this problem and let me know where I went wrong.

Thanks much,
Mac
 
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MacLaddy said:
Hello again. I am hoping that someone can assist in checking my work regarding a trigonometric integral.

The problem and my attempt to solve is as follows.

[math]\int\sin^{\frac{-3}{2}}(x)*cos^3(x) dx[/math]

[math]\int\sin^{\frac{-3}{2}}(x)*cos^2(x)*cos(x) dx[/math]

Using a Pythagorean identity,

[math]\int\sin^{\frac{-3}{2}}(x)*(1-sin^2(x))*cos(x) dx[/math]

Distributing

[math]\color{red}{\int[\sin^{\frac{-3}{2}}(x)-sin^{-3}(x)]*cos(x)dx}[/math]

Substituting

U=sin(x) du=cos(x)dx

[math]\int [u^{\frac{-3}{2}}-u^{-3}]du[/math]

Integrating

[math]-2u^{\frac{-1}{2}}+\frac{1}{2}u^{-2}[/math]

And finally, and simplified as I can see,

[math]-\frac{2}{\sqrt{\sin(x)}}+\frac{1}{2\sin^2(x)}+C[/math]

I've looked at this a few times and couldn't find any errors, but Wolfram is coming up with an answer that doesn't Jive with what I have. That being the case, I would really appreciate it if someone could take a look at this problem and let me know where I went wrong.

Thanks much,
Mac

Hi MacLaddy,

The highlighted part in incorrect. You have multiplied the exponents of \(\sin(x)\) instead of adding them.

Kind Regards,
Sudharaka.
 
Sudharaka said:
Hi MacLaddy,

The highlighted part in incorrect. You have multiplied the exponents of \(\sin(x)\) instead of adding them.

Kind Regards,
Sudharaka.

Ah, yes. Good old Algebra getting in the way. Okay, how about this.

Distributing

[math]\int[\sin^{\frac{-3}{2}}(x)-sin^{\frac{1}{2}}(x)]*cos(x)dx[/math]

Substituting

U=sin(x) du=cos(x)dx

[math]\int [u^{\frac{-3}{2}}-u^{\frac{1}{2}}]du[/math]

Integrating

[math]-2u^{\frac{-1}{2}}-\frac{2}{3}u^{\frac{3}{2}}[/math]

And finally, and simplified as I can see,

[math]-\frac{2}{\sqrt{\sin(x)}}-\frac{2\sqrt{sin^3(x)}}{3}+C[/math]

This still doesn't match what Wolfram has, but I'm probably getting something wrong with that.

Let me know if this looks right. My brain isn't functioning at 100% this morning, and most of it's limited power is going into keeping the Latex code straight.

I appreciate the help, Sudharaka

Mac
 
MacLaddy said:
Ah, yes. Good old Algebra getting in the way. Okay, how about this.

Distributing

[math]\int[\sin^{\frac{-3}{2}}(x)-sin^{\frac{1}{2}}(x)]*cos(x)dx[/math]

Substituting

U=sin(x) du=cos(x)dx

[math]\int [u^{\frac{-3}{2}}-u^{\frac{1}{2}}]du[/math]

Integrating

[math]-2u^{\frac{-1}{2}}-\frac{2}{3}u^{\frac{3}{2}}[/math]

And finally, and simplified as I can see,

[math]-\frac{2}{\sqrt{\sin(x)}}-\frac{2\sqrt{sin^3(x)}}{3}+C[/math]

This still doesn't match what Wolfram has, but I'm probably getting something wrong with that.

Let me know if this looks right. My brain isn't functioning at 100% this morning, and most of it's limited power is going into keeping the Latex code straight.

I appreciate the help, Sudharaka

Mac

Everything you have done is correct. The answer that Wolfram gives you can be obtained from your answer. Try to simplify your solution, by taking a common denominator. You will need to use the double angle formula, \(\cos(2x)=1-2\sin^{2}(x)\).

Kind Regards,
Sudharaka.
 
Sudharaka said:
Everything you have done is correct. The answer that Wolfram gives you can be obtained from your answer. Try to simplify your solution, by taking a common denominator. You will need to use the double angle formula, \(\cos(2x)=1-2\sin^{2}(x)\).

Kind Regards,
Sudharaka.

Okay, I got it now. I wasn't seeing the double angle connection.

[math]\frac{cos(2x)-7}{3\sqrt{sin(x)}}+C[/math]

Thanks again, Sudharaka.

Mac
 

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