Double Checking Integral of 1/(1+sin(theta)) using WolframAlpha

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral of the function 1/(1+sin(θ)), with participants comparing their results to those obtained from WolframAlpha. The subject area is integral calculus.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster presents their computed integral and expresses confusion over discrepancies with WolframAlpha's result. Some participants suggest verifying the result by differentiation, while others inquire about the specific output from WolframAlpha.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, exploring different approaches to reconcile the differences in results. Hints have been provided, but there is no explicit consensus on how to proceed or resolve the discrepancies.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of a constant of integration affecting the equivalence of results, indicating that participants are considering the implications of integration constants in their comparisons.

zoxee
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##\displaystyle \int \dfrac{1}{1+sin(\theta)}\ d\theta ##

I got ## -2(1+tan(\frac{\theta}{2}))^{-1} ## however wolframalpha got a different result than me, could anyone double check this for me as I've been over it a lot of times and can't get the wolframalpha equivalent
 
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Just differentiate your answer and see if you recover the integrand.
 
vela said:
Just differentiate your answer and see if you recover the integrand.

yes done that no problem,

just curious on how wolframalpha got their answer is all
 
What did Wolfram Alpha give you?
 
##\dfrac{2sin(x/2)}{sin(x/2) + cos(x/2)}##
 
Hint:
$$\frac{\tan x}{1+\tan x} = \frac{\tan x + 1 - 1}{1+\tan x} = 1 - \frac{1}{1+\tan x}$$
 
vela said:
Hint:
$$\frac{\tan x}{1+\tan x} = \frac{\tan x + 1 - 1}{1+\tan x} = 1 - \frac{1}{1+\tan x}$$

Can't seem to use that hint... what do I need to do to get from my step to their step? They are not equivalent as the constant of integration is different
 
zoxee said:
##\dfrac{2sin(x/2)}{sin(x/2) + cos(x/2)}##

[tex]\frac{-2}{1+\tan(u)} = \frac{2\sin(u)}{\sin(u)+\cos(u)} + \text{constant}[/tex]
 

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