Help With This Supposedly Easy Integration

  • Thread starter Thread starter NeedPhysHelp8
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Integration
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of the function \(\exp(\sin(t)) / (1 + t^2)\). Participants are exploring the challenges associated with this integral, which appears to arise from a differential equation context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • One participant attempts substitution methods involving \(u = \sin(t)\) and \(t = \cos(u)\), but encounters difficulties with the resulting expressions. Another participant questions the possibility of an analytical solution and suggests that the integral may be part of a larger problem. There is also a discussion about whether the solution can be expressed in terms of the integral itself.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their attempts and questioning the feasibility of an analytical solution. Some guidance is offered regarding the potential for leaving the solution in integral form, while concerns about the professor's expectations are also raised.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the integral arises from a differential equation problem, and there is uncertainty regarding the professor's intent, particularly if the integral cannot be solved analytically.

NeedPhysHelp8
Messages
38
Reaction score
0
Homework Statement

Integrate: \exp(\sin(t)) / (1 + t^2)

The attempt at a solution
Ok so I tried substituting u=sin(t) du=cos(t)dt but I end up with (1 + arcsin^2(u)) on the bottom and I don't know how to integrate that.
I also tried letting t=cos(u) dt=-sin(u)du but then I end up with e^(sin(cos(t)) which I've never seen before!
If anyone knows how to do this please just give me a hint or the first step to take and I will try to do the rest! Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I don't think you can integrate that analytically. Is this integral part of a larger problem?
 
Ok well it was a differential equation problem that I reduced to that but here is the initial problem:

dy/dt + y\cos(t) = 1/ (1+t^2)

so I got an integrating factor of e^(sint) which led to this integral! Hope this helps maybe I did something wrong in first part.
 
Hmm, perhaps you're expected to leave the solution in terms of the integral.
 
I don't think so since the prof asked to solve it in terms of t explicitly. Maybe she made a mistake in writing the problem if this cannot be solved analytically.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 105 ·
4
Replies
105
Views
11K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K