Challenging Integral: Solving for P(cos(x)^3)/(x^6+1)

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral \(\int\frac{\cos^3 x}{x^6+1}dx\), exploring various methods for solving it, including substitutions, integration by parts, and the use of integral tables. Participants share different strategies and approaches, reflecting on both theoretical and practical aspects of the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about how to begin solving the integral and seeks hints or tips.
  • Another participant questions the necessity of an explicit expression for the integral, suggesting that it may not be required.
  • Several participants propose using trigonometric identities and integral tables to simplify the integral, with one suggesting reducing trigonometric terms to a linear form.
  • A suggestion is made to transform the cosine function into an exponential form to facilitate integration.
  • One participant recommends splitting the integral into two parts by expressing \(\cos^3(x)\) in terms of \(\cos(x)\) and \(\cos(3x)\) and factoring the denominator \(x^6 + 1\) into simpler components.
  • Another participant corrects a previous claim about the factorization of \(x^6 + 1\), providing a more accurate factorization and noting the complexity involved.
  • One participant expresses intent to use the Ci(z) and Si(z) functions for the resulting integrals but admits unfamiliarity with these functions.
  • Another participant cautions against using partial fractions with second-degree polynomial denominators, suggesting that it may complicate the integral further.
  • Disagreement arises regarding the correct factorization approach, with one participant insisting on using complex roots while another challenges the validity of that method.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to solve the integral, with multiple competing views and methods proposed. Disagreement exists regarding the factorization of \(x^6 + 1\) and the use of partial fractions.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the necessity of an explicit integral solution and the applicability of certain mathematical functions, indicating potential limitations in their understanding of the topic.

joao_pimentel
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Hi guys

I'm wondering how shall I solve this primitive/integral

[tex]\int\frac{\cos^3 x}{x^6+1}dx[/tex]

I really don't know how to start... which substitution shall I take or if I shall solve it by parts...

Any hints or tips will be very appreciated

Thanks in advance
 
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I don't know if I need an explicit expression, I just need to find how shall I start...

I've tried all trigonometric substitutions and nothing :(

I'm lost
 
Hey joao_pimentel.

Have you looked at different tables of integrals? Chances are you will find a table out there somewhere that gives a form that is exact or 'close' to the form you are working with.

One strategy I have for you is to reduce the trig terms to something that is at least linear. You might have to do a few integrations by parts by differentiating the trig terms and then using trig conversions to put them in the appropriate form.

The denominator of the term looks like a (1 + x^2) which is used in many tables, although if its in combination with a trig term then that could still make it complicated.
 
Also having looked at the solution, maybe another suggestion is to consider a transformation to an expontential form (in the form of using expressions of e^(whatever)) so for example cos(x) = 1/2(e^(ix) - e^(ix)).
 
Split the integral in two, in writting cos(x)^3 in terms of cos(x) and cos(3x)
Split both integrals in six, in writting 1/((x^6)+1) in terms of a sum of six terms c/(x-r) where each r is on the form r=(-1)^(1/6) , i.e. the six complex roots of unit.
Then, the antiderivatives of each cos(x)/(x-r) and cos(3x)/(x-r) can be formally expressed in terms of the special functions Ci(z) and Si(z) where z is a complex linear function of x.
 
JJacquelin said:
Split both integrals in six, in writting 1/((x^6)+1) in terms of a sum of six terms c/(x-r) where each r is on the form r=(-1)^(1/6) , i.e. the six complex roots of unit.
That is the factorization of x6-1, not x6+1. The latter factorization is a bit uglier.

First factor [itex]x^6+1[/itex] as [itex](x^2+1)(x^4-x^2+1)[/itex]. The latter term in turn has the factorization [itex](x^2-1+\sqrt[3]{-1})(x^2-\sqrt[3]{-1})[/itex], so

[tex]x^6+1 = (x^2+1)(x^2-1+\sqrt[3]{-1})(x^2-\sqrt[3]{-1})[/tex]

I'll leave the last ugly bit as an exercise for the OP.
 
Thanks a lot guys... it was a big help...

I shall write cos(x)^3 in terms of a sum of cos(x) and cos(3x) as JJacquelin said and then fatorize x^6+1 as D H said... Then I shall use Ci(z) e Si(z) functions for each term..

I'll try it :)

Thanks a lot again

João
 
Guys

I know that [tex]cos^3(x)=\frac{1}{4}\left(cos(3x)+3cos(x)\right)[/tex]

Then

[tex]\begin{aligned}<br /> \int &\frac{\cos^3 x} {(x^2+1) (x^2-1+\sqrt[3]{-1}) (x^2-\sqrt[3]{-1})} dx \\<br /> & =\frac{1}{4}<br /> \int \frac{\cos{3x}} {(x^2+1) (x^2-1+\sqrt[3]{-1}) (x^2-\sqrt[3]{-1})} dx +<br /> \frac{3}{4}<br /> \int \frac {\cos{x}} {(x^2+1)(x^2-1+\sqrt[3]{-1} )(x^2-\sqrt[3]{-1})} dx<br /> \end{aligned}[/tex]

Then I need to factorize [tex]\frac{1}{(x^2+1)(x^2-1+\sqrt[3]{-1})(x^2-\sqrt[3]{-1})}[/tex] in partial fractions

[tex] \frac{1} {(x^2+1) (x^2-1+\sqrt[3]{-1})(x^2-\sqrt[3]{-1})} =<br /> \frac{Ax+B}{x^2+1} + \frac{Cx+D}{(x^2-1+\sqrt[3]{-1})}<br /> +\frac{Ex+F}{x^2-\sqrt[3]{-1})}[/tex]

Then I get each fraction [tex]\cos(a x)\frac{\alpha x + \beta}{x^2+\lambda}[/tex]

How do I use such Ci(z) functions... Actually I confess I'm not aware of such Ci(z) and Si(z) functions... would it be Hyperbolic function?

Thank you a lot
 
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  • #11
I think that it not a good idea to process with partial fractons which denominators are second degree polynomials. This will lead to complicated integrals, not easy to expess in terms of Ci and Si functions.
I maintain what I already said in my previous post [ Y, 01:19 PM] :
1/((x^6)+1) is much easier to write as the sum of six terms on the form c/(x-r) where each c is a different complex number easy to find and where the six different r are the roots of (r^6)+1=0, i.e. six complex number easy to find.
 
  • #12
JJacquelin said:
I maintain what I already said in my previous post [ Y, 01:19 PM]
Here's what you said yesterday:
JJacquelin said:
Split both integrals in six, in writting 1/((x^6)+1) in terms of a sum of six terms c/(x-r) where each r is on the form r=(-1)^(1/6) , i.e. the six complex roots of unit.
That's incorrect. Using those (x-r) as the factors, where each r is one of the six sixth roots of unit, is the factorization of x^6-1=0, not x^6+1=0.
 
  • #13
Obviously :
the six different r are the roots of (r^6)+1=0, i.e. six complex number easy to find.
r = exp(i(2n+1)pi/6)
I think that it isn't the key point of the question.
 

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