How Do You Integrate tan(x)sec^2(x)?

AI Thread Summary
The integral of tan(x)sec^2(x) can be approached using u-substitution, with options like letting u equal tan(x) or sec^2(x). Participants emphasize the importance of differentiating u to find du correctly. One suggested method involves rewriting the integral in terms of sine and cosine, leading to a substitution that simplifies the process. Clarifications on the correct derivatives of trigonometric functions are provided to help resolve confusion. Overall, the discussion focuses on guiding the original poster toward understanding and applying u-substitution effectively.
scorpa
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Hello everyone,

I am having some trouble finding the integral of tanxsec^2x. I honestly have no idea where to go with this one. I've finished all the others but this one is really screwing me up. I tried doing something with the chain rule but it didn't work out at all. I know that I am supposed to show my work, but at this point I don't have anything to show you guys. Thanks a lot for any help you can give me.
 
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scorpa said:
Hello everyone,

I am having some trouble finding the integral of tanxsec^2x. I honestly have no idea where to go with this one. I've finished all the others but this one is really screwing me up. I tried doing something with the chain rule but it didn't work out at all. I know that I am supposed to show my work, but at this point I don't have anything to show you guys. Thanks a lot for any help you can give me.

Write everything in terms of sines and cosines. Then you can do a simple substitution.
 
Or just note that the derivative of tangent is the secant squared... u-substitution, anybody?

--J
 
Ok guys, thanks for the help, but I'm still completely lost. I still don't have a clue of what I should do.
 
Are you familiar with u-substitution? You're going to have to make one to evaluate the integral. You have two choices for what to let u equal, both work. What do you think u might equal?

--J
 
I am sort of familiar with it. Could you let u equal tanx?
 
scorpa said:
I am sort of familiar with it. Could you let u equal tanx?

If you did, what would du be?
 
Ok, actually I might let u = sec^2x, then du should equal tanx+c?
 
scorpa said:
Ok, actually I might let u = sec^2x, then du should equal tanx+c?

That is not correct

You should review the derivatives of all the trig functions.
 
  • #10
You're integrating u to get du for some reason. You must differentiate u to get du.

Stick with your original substitution.

--J
 
  • #11
\int \sec^{2} x \tan x \ dx=-\int \frac{d {}\cos x}{\cos^{3} x}=\frac{1}{2}\sec^{2}x +\mathcal{C}

Daniel.
 
  • #12
shouldnt it be:
\int sec^2x~tanx~dx=\int\frac{sinx}{cos^3x}dx
then, you could do u-sub and set u=cosx and go from there?

*Edit*
dextercioby, you put sinx instead of cosx. i think tanx = sinx/cosx
*Edit*
 
Last edited:
  • #13
p53ud0 dr34m5 said:
shouldnt it be:
\int sec^2x~tanx~dx=\int\frac{sinx}{cos^3x}dx
then, you could do u-sub and set u=cosx and go from there?

and du would be

du = d cosx = -sinx dx

giving

sinx dx = -d cosx

which is what Dexter did to get his result, and what earlier hints were pointing to. It could also be done using

u= tanx

du= d tanx = sec^2x dx

sec^2x dx = d tanx

as suggested by Justin early on
 
  • #14
Oh ok...I think I am starting to get it
 
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