Getting two different integrals for same function(?)

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
3 replies · 2K views
1/2"
Messages
98
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


The actual problem is ∫sin2x/((sinx)4+(cosx)4) dx


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


First wrote the expression as
∫[itex]\frac{2sin2x}{((sinx)^2+(cosx)^2)^2+((sinx)^2-(cosx)^2))^2 }[/itex] dx
then I changed the 2dx to d(2x)
∫[itex]\frac{sin2x}{((sinx)^2+(cosx)^2)^2+((sinx)^2-(cosx)^2))^2 }[/itex] d2x

∫[itex]\frac{sin2x}{1+ (cos2x)^2 }[/itex] d2x

Multiplying the whole expressioin with (sec2x)^2

∫[itex]\frac{tan2x sec2x}{1+ (sec2x)^2 }[/itex] d2x

tan2xsec2x d(2x) = d((sec2x)^2)

taking sec2x =t

∫[itex]\frac{1}{1+ t^2 }[/itex] dt
At this stage I am getting 2 different result when i proceed in 2 different way

First one:
integrating i get
arctan t = arctan (sec 2x)

Second one :
- ∫-[itex]\frac{1}{1+ t^2 }[/itex] dt

- arccot t

-arctan (cos2x)

Am i going wrong somewhere? please could you point it out ?
Thanks in advance!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Actually it has got limits - 0 and [itex]\frac{∏}{2}[/itex]

And putting the limits the answer in the first case come as [itex]\frac{∏}{2}[/itex] and in the second one -[itex]\frac{∏}{2}[/itex]


haruspex said:
When an indefinite integral appears to give two different answers, it generally turns out that the difference is a constant. I believe that is the case here.

Ya the difference is a constant arctan ∞ = [itex]\frac{∏}{2}[/itex]

If I happen to give either of the answer will it be marked correct ? or do I have to work out both of them ?
 
Last edited:
1/2" said:
Actually it has got limits - 0 and [itex]\frac{∏}{2}[/itex]

And putting the limits the answer in the first case come as [itex]\frac{∏}{2}[/itex] and in the second one -[itex]\frac{∏}{2}[/itex]
With those limits, there will be some doubt about the validity since your integral goes through an infinity at π/4. You could fix that by observing there's symmetry about π/4, so you can take the integral 0 to π/4 and double it.
However, I don't see why you are getting different answers. When I substitute those limits in your integrals I get [itex]\frac{∏}{2}[/itex] for both.