Help u-substitution, new boundaries question

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When performing u-substitution in integrals, if the new limits of integration are the same, the value of the integral is zero. An alternative method is to avoid changing the limits and instead compute the indefinite integral to find an antiderivative. After obtaining the antiderivative, evaluate it at the original upper and lower limits and subtract the results. This approach can provide clarity and avoid confusion when limits coincide. Understanding these techniques is essential for correctly handling integrals in calculus.
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what do i do if when i am changing the limits/boundaries on my integral because i did a u substitution and the new limits end up being the same number?

EXAMPLE:

integral is of:

4*(sin(theta)^4)*cos(theta) dtheta

the limits are pi/6 to 5*pi/6
i had u= sin(theta) ... both the u lower and upper limits equal 1/2...

the original integral was a double integral in polar coordinates... limits of r was o-2sin(theta) and i already stated the theta's limits. the function is (r^3)*cos(theta)

it doesn't make sense to me to let u=cos(theta) in this case of
"integral is of:
4*(sin(theta)^4)*cos(theta) dtheta"
 
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arl146 said:
what do i do if when i am changing the limits/boundaries on my integral because i did a u substitution and the new limits end up being the same number?

EXAMPLE:

integral is of:

4*(sin(theta)^4)*cos(theta) dtheta

the limits are pi/6 to 5*pi/6
i had u= sin(theta) ... both the u lower and upper limits equal 1/2...

the original integral was a double integral in polar coordinates... limits of r was o-2sin(theta) and i already stated the theta's limits. the function is (r^3)*cos(theta)

it doesn't make sense to me to let u=cos(theta) in this case of
"integral is of:
4*(sin(theta)^4)*cos(theta) dtheta"

If you end up with an integral whose limits of integration are the same, the value of your integral is zero.

An alternate approach involves not changing the limits of integration. First, evaluate the indefinite integral to get an antiderivative of 4sin4(t)cos(t). Then evaluate your antiderivative at the upper and lower limits of integration, and subtract.
 
i realized that after i played around with it some more. thanks!
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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