How Do You Simplify the Expression (x-xcos^2x+cosxsinx)/sinx(xcosx-sinx)?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around simplifying the expression \((x - x \cos^2 x + \cos x \sin x) / (\sin x (x \cos x - \sin x))\). The subject area includes calculus and trigonometric identities.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore various methods for simplifying the expression, including factoring and using trigonometric identities. Some question the validity of factoring out \(\cos x\) from the denominator and suggest expanding terms instead. Others discuss integration by parts as a potential approach.

Discussion Status

There are multiple lines of reasoning being explored, with some participants providing guidance on how to approach the simplification and integration. The discussion reflects a collaborative effort to clarify steps and assumptions without reaching a definitive conclusion.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity of the integral involved and the challenges presented by the squared terms. There is an emphasis on ensuring that all steps are correctly followed and that assumptions are questioned throughout the discussion.

Saitama
Messages
4,244
Reaction score
93

Homework Statement


\int \left(\frac{x}{x\cos x-\sin x} \right)^2 dx

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


Factoring out ##\cos x## from the denominator, the integral transforms to
\int \sec^2x \left(\frac{x}{x-\tan x}\right)^2dx
Substituting ##\tan x=t##, ##\sec^2 xdx=dt##
\int \left(\frac{\arctan t}{\arctan t-t}\right)^2dt
I honestly have no idea about how to proceed from here.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I don't think you can factor cos x from sin x and obtain tan x. I suggest you expand the terms within the brackets and see if it can be simplified with trig identities.
 
Why can't I factor out cosx?
sinx/cosx=tanx
 
The problem is you have only sin x in your integral.
 
Look at the derivative of x cos(x) - sin(x). This suggests a way to use integration by parts.
 
haruspex said:
Look at the derivative of x cos(x) - sin(x). This suggests a way to use integration by parts.

The derivative of xcos(x)-sin(x) is -xsin(x) but I still can't figure it out. The whole thing is squared, I am completely lost.
 
You could have expanded the brackets by now and checked to see if trig identities could further simplify the integrand.
 
Pranav-Arora said:
The derivative of xcos(x)-sin(x) is -xsin(x) but I still can't figure it out. The whole thing is squared, I am completely lost.
It suggested to me writing the integrand as ##\frac{x}{\sin x} \frac{x\sin x}{\left(x\cos x-\sin x \right)^2} ##. Try integrating that by parts.
 
haruspex said:
It suggested to me writing the integrand as ##\frac{x}{\sin x} \frac{x\sin x}{\left(x\cos x-\sin x \right)^2} ##. Try integrating that by parts.

Integrating by parts:
\frac{x}{\sin x} \int \frac{x\sin x}{\left(x\cos x-\sin x \right)^2}dx-\int \frac{\sin x-x\cos x}{\sin^2 x} \left(\int \frac{x\sin x}{\left(x\cos x-\sin x \right)^2}dx \right)dx

\because \int \frac{x\sin x}{\left(x\cos x-\sin x \right)^2}dx=(x\cos x-\sin x)
The integral simplifies to:
\frac{x}{\sin x}(x\cos x-\sin x)+\int \left(\frac{x \cos x-\sin x}{\sin x} \right)^2dx
If I expand the squared term, I get an integral involving cot and cot^2, should I integrate by parts again?
 
  • #10
Pranav-Arora said:
\because \int \frac{x\sin x}{\left(x\cos x-\sin x \right)^2}dx=(x\cos x-\sin x)
Retry that step.
 
  • #11
Pranav-Arora said:
Integrating by parts:
\frac{x}{\sin x} \int \frac{x\sin x}{\left(x\cos x-\sin x \right)^2}dx-\int \frac{\sin x-x\cos x}{\sin^2 x} \left(\int \frac{x\sin x}{\left(x\cos x-\sin x \right)^2}dx \right)dx

\because \int \frac{x\sin x}{\left(x\cos x-\sin x \right)^2}dx=(x\cos x-\sin x)
The integral simplifies to:
\frac{x}{\sin x}(x\cos x-\sin x)+\int \left(\frac{x \cos x-\sin x}{\sin x} \right)^2dx
If I expand the squared term, I get an integral involving cot and cot^2, should I integrate by parts again?
[STRIKE]How is that integration by parts? What were the parts you used?[/STRIKE]

Try ##\displaystyle \ u=\frac{x}{\sin(x)}\ \text{ and }\ dv=\frac{x\sin(x)}{\left(x\cos(x)-\sin(x) \right)^2}\,dx \ . ##

Added in Edit: Part of the above edited out.
I see it now .
 
Last edited:
  • #12
SammyS said:
How is that integration by parts? What were the parts you used?

Try ##\displaystyle \ u=\frac{x}{\sin(x)}\ \text{ and }\ dv=\frac{x\sin(x)}{\left(x\cos(x)-\sin(x) \right)^2}\,dx \ . ##

Looks to me that Pranav-Arora was getting there - just made a mistake in the first integration.
 
  • #13
haruspex said:
Looks to me that Pranav-Arora was getting there - just made a mistake in the first integration.
Oh ! I see it now.

I had looked at it several times and didn't see how that fit integration by parts.
 
  • #14
haruspex said:
Retry that step.

Oops, its the reciprocal of that.

This time I get:
\frac{x}{\sin x}\frac{1}{x\cos x-\sin x}+\int \csc^2 xdx=\frac{x}{\sin x}\frac{1}{x\cos x-\sin x}-\cot x

But on further simplification, I do not end up with the right answer.
 
  • #15
It is correct, bring to common denominator and simplify with sinx.Show what you did.

ehild
 
  • #16
ehild said:
It is correct, bring to common denominator and simplify with sinx.Show what you did.

ehild

Got it, thanks! :smile:

Writing cot in terms cos and sin
\frac{x-x\cos^2 x+\cos x \sin x}{\sin x(x\cos x-\sin x)}=\frac{x(1-\cos^2 x)+\cos x \sin x}{\sin x(x\cos x-\sin x)}
As 1-cos^2x=sin^2x
\frac{x\sin^2 x+\cos x \sin x}{\sin x(x\cos x-\sin x)}=\frac{x\sin x+\cos x }{x\cos x-\sin x}

Thanks a lot haruspex! :smile:
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
3K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
4K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K