How can I use integration by parts to solve $\displaystyle \int\sin^2(x) \ dx$?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of the function $\sin^2(x)$ using integration by parts. Participants explore various approaches to solving the integral, examining both the method of integration by parts and references to established results from tables or calculators.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the result $\int\sin^2(x) \, dx = \frac{x}{2} - \frac{\sin(2x)}{4} + C$ as derived from a table reference, noting that an integral calculator uses a reduction formula.
  • Another participant suggests that since integration by parts was used for $\sin^2(x)$, it would be logical to apply the same method to $\cos^2(x)$ in subsequent steps.
  • A different participant critiques the initial approach, providing their own integration by parts setup and arriving at a recursive relation involving the original integral, $\int\sin^2(x) \, dx$, indicating the complexity of the problem.
  • Another approach is presented using integration by parts, where participants define $u = \sin^2(x)$ and $dv = 1 \, dx$, leading to a more complex expression that also references the need for further integration by parts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best method to solve the integral. Multiple competing views and approaches are presented, with some participants suggesting different paths and corrections to earlier claims.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the steps involved in their calculations, and there are references to established results without clear derivations. The discussion reflects a variety of methods and interpretations of integration by parts, highlighting the complexity of the integral.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and practitioners interested in integration techniques, particularly those exploring integration by parts and its applications to trigonometric functions.

karush
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mnt{w.8.4.5} nmh{1000}
$\displaystyle \int\sin^2 \left({x}\right) \ dx
= \frac{x}{2}-\frac{\sin\left({2x }\right)}{4}+C $
As given by a table reference
Integral calculator uses reduction formula to solve this
But this is an exercise following integration by parts so..
$\displaystyle \int\sin^2 \left({x}\right) \ dx
\implies \int\sin\left({x}\right) \sin\left({x}\right) \ dx $
$\displaystyle u=\sin\left({x}\right) $ $dv=\sin\left({x}\right)\ dx$
$du=-\cos\left({x}\right) \ dx $ $v=\cos\left({x}\right)$
$\displaystyle uv-\int v \ du$
$\displaystyle \sin\left({x}\right)\cos\left({x}\right)
+ \int\cos\left({x}\right)\cos\left({x}\right) \ dx $
Got stuck here
 
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karush said:
Whitman 8.4.5
$\displaystyle \int\sin^2 \left({x}\right) \ dx
= \frac{x}{2}-\frac{\sin\left({2x }\right)}{4}+C $
As given by a table reference
Integral calculator uses reduction formula to solve this
But this is an exercise following integration by parts so..
$\displaystyle \int\sin^2 \left({x}\right) \ dx
\implies \int\sin\left({x}\right) \sin\left({x}\right) \ dx $
$\displaystyle u=\sin\left({x}\right) $ $dv=\sin\left({x}\right)\ dx$
$du=-\cos\left({x}\right) \ dx $ $v=\cos\left({x}\right)$
$\displaystyle uv-\int v \ du$
$\displaystyle \sin\left({x}\right)\cos\left({x}\right)
+ \int\cos\left({x}\right)\cos\left({x}\right) \ dx $
Got stuck here

I don't know why you always stop at this step. It's pretty obvious that you still have an integration to do, and since you were using integration by parts for sin^2(x), wouldn't it make sense that you would have to use integration by parts for cos^2(x) as well?
 
karush said:
Whitman 8.4.5
$\displaystyle \int\sin^2 \left({x}\right) \ dx
= \frac{x}{2}-\frac{\sin\left({2x }\right)}{4}+C $
As given by a table reference
Integral calculator uses reduction formula to solve this
But this is an exercise following integration by parts so..
$\displaystyle \int\sin^2 \left({x}\right) \ dx
\implies \int\sin\left({x}\right) \sin\left({x}\right) \ dx $
$\displaystyle u=\sin\left({x}\right) $ $dv=\sin\left({x}\right)\ dx$
$du=-\cos\left({x}\right) \ dx $ $v=\cos\left({x}\right)$
$\displaystyle uv-\int v \ du$
$\displaystyle \sin\left({x}\right)\cos\left({x}\right)
+ \int\cos\left({x}\right)\cos\left({x}\right) \ dx $
Got stuck here
Your work is a little off . . .

I \;=\;\int\sin^2x\,dx \;=\;\int\underbrace{\sin x}_u\,\underbrace{\sin x\,dx}_{dv}

\begin{array}{ccc}u \:=\:\sin x && dv \:=\:\sin x\,dx \\ du \:=\:\cos x\,dx && v \:=\:-\cos x \end{array}

I \;=\;\underbrace{(\sin x)}_u \underbrace{(-\cos x)}_v - \int\underbrace{(-\cos x)}<br /> _v\underbrace{(\cos x\,dx)}_{du} \;=\; -\sin x\cos x + \int\cos^2x\,dx

I \;=\; -\sin x\cos x + \int(1 -\sin^2x\,dx)\,dx \;=\;-\sin x\cos x + \int dx - \underbrace{\int\sin^2x\,dx}_{\text{This is }I}

I \;=\;-\sin\cos x + x - I \quad\Rightarrow\quad 2I \;=\;x -\sin x\cos x +C

I \;=\;\frac{1}{2}(x - \sin x\cos x) + C

 
$$\int\sin^2(x)\,dx$$

$$dv=1,v=x$$

$$u=\sin^2(x),du=\sin(2x)\,dx$$

$$\int\sin^2(x)\,dx=x\sin^2(x)-\int x\sin(2x)\,dx$$

IBP (again) with $u=x,dv=\sin(2x)$:

$$\int\sin^2(x)\,dx=x\sin^2(x)-\left(-x\dfrac{\cos(2x)}{2}+\dfrac12\int\cos(2x)\,dx\right)$$

$$=x\sin^2(x)+x\dfrac{\cos(2x)}{2}-\dfrac{\sin(2x)}{4}+C=\dfrac x2-\dfrac{\sin(2x)}{4}+C$$
 
Thanks everyone sorry my latex didn't render to good in the preview it was fine. I'm too used to just looking things up in the tables not knowing how it was derived the book just had examples of odd powers.
 

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