How Do You Integrate Cosine Powers in Calculus?

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To integrate the function cos^(2n+1)(x), the substitution sin^2(x) = 1 - cos^2(x) is utilized, leading to the integral of (1 - sin^2(x))^n d(sin(x)). The result is expressed as a polynomial of degree (2n+1) in sin(x), with no simple closed formula unless using hypergeometric functions. The binomial theorem and the linearity of the integral are recommended for solving the integral. Proper notation in LaTeX is also emphasized for clarity in mathematical expressions.
golanor
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Homework Statement



\int { { cos }^{ 2n+1 }(x)dx }

Homework Equations


{ cos }^{ 2 }+{ sin }^{ 2 } = 1

The Attempt at a Solution


i got to here:
\int { { (1-{ sin }^{ 2 }(x)) }^{ n }d(sin(x)) }

Any help would be appreciated!
 
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So you got to find

\int (1-x^2)^ndx.

Use the binomial theorem and linearity of the integral.
 
golanor said:

Homework Statement



\int { { cos }^{ 2n+1 }(x)dx }

Homework Equations


{ cos }^{ 2 }+{ sin }^{ 2 } = 1

The Attempt at a Solution


i got to here:
\int { { (1-{ sin }^{ 2 }(x)) }^{ n }d(sin(x)) }

Any help would be appreciated!

There is no simple formula for the result, unless you want to express it in terms of a hypergeometric function. The answer is a polynomial of degree (2n+1) in ##\sin(x)##.

BTW: in [t e x] you should write "\sin(x)" instead of "sin(x)": the difference is ##\sin(x)## (nice) vs. ##sin(x)## (not nice).
 
Ray Vickson said:
There is no simple formula for the result, unless you want to express it in terms of a hypergeometric function. The answer is a polynomial of degree (2n+1) in ##\sin(x)##.

BTW: in [t e x] you should write "\sin(x)" instead of "sin(x)": the difference is ##\sin(x)## (nice) vs. ##sin(x)## (not nice).
Thanks for the tex hint..still getting the hang of it (used to microsoft equation editor =\)

micromass said:
So you got to find

\int (1-x^2)^ndx.

Use the binomial theorem and linearity of the integral.
Thanks, i actually read about it, thought that i should use it but decided not to.

In case anyone wants the answer, it is:
\int { { (1-{ \sin }^{ 2 }(x)) }^{ n }d(\sin (x)) } =\sin (x)-\frac { n{ \sin }^{ 3 }(x) }{ 3 } +...+\frac { { (-1) }^{ n }{ \sin }^{ 2n+1 }(x) }{ 2n+1 } +C
 
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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