How can I integrate x^3 sin x without using integration by parts?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of the function x^3 sin(x) without using integration by parts. Participants explore various approaches to set up the integral and express it in terms of trigonometric functions and polynomials.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in setting up the integral for x^3 sin(x) and proposes a general form involving trigonometric functions.
  • Another participant questions the initial setup, asking why certain polynomial terms are omitted in the proposed equations for both sin(x) and cos(x).
  • A suggestion is made to differentiate the proposed functions to solve for coefficients, highlighting the relationship between the derivatives of polynomial and trigonometric functions.
  • Some participants note that differentiating x^n cos(x) and x^n sin(x) yields both sine and cosine terms, suggesting a specific structure for the function to integrate.
  • One participant mentions that having extra terms in the polynomial does not complicate differentiation and can simplify finding coefficients.
  • Another participant expresses gratitude for the insights provided, indicating that they found the discussion helpful in validating their approach to the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no clear consensus on the best method to set up the integral without integration by parts, and multiple competing views and approaches are presented throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the initial setup of the integral and the necessity of certain polynomial terms in the expressions for sine and cosine. The discussion reflects a variety of perspectives on how to approach the integration problem without reaching a definitive conclusion.

Who May Find This Useful

Students and educators interested in integration techniques, particularly those exploring alternatives to integration by parts, may find this discussion beneficial.

anderma8
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I'm trying to integtrate x^3 sin x without using integration by parts. I have set up the equation to either:

int x^3 cosx dx = (Ax^3 + Bx^2+Cx+D)cos x + K

or

int x^3 coxs dx = (Ax^3+Bx)sinx + (Cx^2+D)cosx +K

but I'm having trouble... any help would be appreciated!
 
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Do you want to integrate x3sin(x) or x3cos(x)?
anderma8 said:
I'm trying to integtrate x^3 sin x without using integration by parts. I have set up the equation to either:

int x^3 cosx dx = (Ax^3 + Bx^2+Cx+D)cos x + K
Why do you think you don't need a term involving sin here?
int x^3 coxs dx = (Ax^3+Bx)sinx + (Cx^2+D)cosx +K
Why do you think the polynomial in front of sin doesn't need a square or constant term? Why do you think the polynomial in front of cos doesn't need a cube or linear term?
 
int x^3 cosx dx for this issue

Thanks for the reply...

essientially, we need to set this up and are having problems. We have an example of int x^4ex + dx. We get (Ax^4 + Bx^3 + Cx^2 + Ex +F) e^x + k. But we are stuck for finding the starting equation for int x^3 cosx.
 
Differentiate and solve for the coefficients.
 
but it's setting up the initial equation that is our road block. We get x^4e^x + dx but not clear on the setting up of X^3 cosx + dx
 
Save yourself the trouble and do integration by parts.
 
we would but we can't use that as per the project instructions X-) Any suggestions?
 
anderma8 said:
but it's setting up the initial equation that is our road block. We get x^4e^x + dx but not clear on the setting up of X^3 cosx + dx

How in the world do you get that?

Do you know how to calculate

\frac{d}{dx}\left(\int x^3\,\sin x\, dx\right)

Hint: Its fundamental.
 
You should note that once you differentiate xncos(x), you'll get:
(xncos(x))' = nxn - 1cos(x) - xnsin(x), i.e, you have both cos, and sin function on the right, and the highest power of the polynomial is still n.
If you differentiate xnsin(x), you'll get almost the same.
(xnsin(x))' = nxn - 1sin(x) + xncos(x)

Note that, if you differentiate xncos(x), the highest power polynomial will go with sin(x), and vice versa. Note the italic, and underlined part.

So, if you want to find a function, such that its derivative is x3cos(x) (note that the power of the polynomial term is 3, and is highest), the function should look something like:

f(x) = (Ax3 + Bx2 + Cx + D) sin(x) + (Ex2 + Fx + G) cos(x)

Now, if you try to integrate the function xncos(x) by Parts, like this:
\int x ^ n \fbox{\cos x} dx = x ^ {n} \fbox{\sin x} - n \int x ^ {n - 1} \sin (x) dx
= x ^ {n} \fbox{\sin x} + n x ^ {n - 1} \cos(x) - n (n - 1) \int x ^ {n - 2} \cos (x) dx
= x ^ {n} \fbox{\sin x} + n x ^ {n - 1} \cos(x) - n (n - 1) x ^ {n - 2} \sin (x) + n (n - 1) (n - 2)\int x ^ {n - 3} \sin (x) dx = ...
So, you can see that the result will look something like xn sin(x) + n xn - 1 cos(x) - n (n - 1) xn - 2 sin(x) + ... i.e, one sin, and then one cos, and then back to one sin, and...

So, you can conclude that the constants B, D, and F in the function f(x) should all be 0, leaving you with:

f(x) = (Ax3 + Cx) sin(x) + (Ex2 + G) cos(x)

Can you get it? :)
 
Last edited:
  • #10
Note that it doesn't hurt to have a little overkill. When I saw this problem, I differentiated:

(Ax4+Bx3+Cx2+Dx+E)sin(x) + (Fx4+Gx3+Hx2+Ix+J)cos(x)

Even though there are a lot of extra terms, differentiating polynomials and trigonometric functions is easy, and determining these undetermined coefficients ends up being very quick and easy.
 
  • #11
VietDao29 - THANKS! Your explanation is very clear and was exactly the insight my team needed. We ended up doing just what you suggested before reading your post. The good thing is that we feel confident that we did the project correctly and with your input, it validated our work!

The interesting part is that we too noticed that the highest exponent went with the opposite trig funciton being integrated. Again, thanks for your reply!
 
  • #12
AKG - After we tried the problem over and over, when we got what we were expecting, you are exactly right! It was funny, when my team started this, we were apprehensive at best, but now we look at them and laugh 'cause they really are easy when you understand the problem!

Thanks!
 

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