How Do You Solve the Integral of 1/(y+cos(x))^2?

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SUMMARY

The integral of 1/(y+cos(x)) from x=0 to x=pi/2 can be solved using the substitution t=tan(x/2), resulting in the expression \frac{2}{\sqrt{y^2-1}}arctan(\sqrt{\frac{y-1}{y+1}}). To find the integral of \frac{1}{(y+cos(x))^2} over the same limits, the discussion suggests using integration by parts, leading to a relationship involving the original integral Q. The final expression derived is (2-\frac{2}{y+1})Q+\frac{2}{y+1}, confirming that y is treated as a fixed constant throughout the calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of integral calculus, specifically definite integrals.
  • Familiarity with the tangent half-angle substitution method.
  • Knowledge of integration by parts technique.
  • Ability to manipulate and simplify rational expressions involving polynomials.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the tangent half-angle substitution in integral calculus.
  • Learn the integration by parts method in detail.
  • Explore polynomial long division for simplifying rational expressions.
  • Investigate the properties of arctangent functions in calculus.
USEFUL FOR

Students and educators in calculus, mathematicians focusing on integral calculus, and anyone preparing for advanced mathematics exams that involve complex integral problems.

Needhelp62
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First part of the question was to work out the integral 1/(y+cos(x)) between x=0 and x=pi/2 by using the substitution t=tan(x/2).
Got this to be \frac{2}{\sqrt{y^2-1}}arctan(\sqrt{\frac{y-1}{y+1}})
The next question says HENCE find integral with the same limits of \frac{1}{(y+cos(x))^2}
Ive tried using by parts to maybe get something minus the first integral but i can't get it to work. This exam is known for being full of horrible questions so anything is possible here
 
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Hi, but ##y## is a fixed number or is a function ##y(x)##?
 
Ssnow said:
Hi, but ##y## is a fixed number or is a function ##y(x)##?
y is just a fixed number the question says the answer to the integral is a function of y
 
ok, in the risolution you must treat ##y## as a number and try with the substitution ##t=\tan{\frac{x}{2}}##. You will obtain an integral that is the ratio of two polynomials in ##t## ...
 
remember that ##\cos{x}=\frac{1-t^{2}}{1+t^{2}}##...
 
Ssnow said:
remember that ##\cos{x}=\frac{1-t^{2}}{1+t^{2}}##...
Thank you I get how the original integral i used now.I have two integrals with the first being twice the original and the second being
\frac{2t^2}{(y+1)+t^2(y-1)}
 
Needhelp62 said:
Thank you I get how the original integral i used now.I have two integrals with the first being twice the original and the second being
\frac{2t^2}{(y+1)+t^2(y-1)}
think I've got it, if i call the original integral Q so
(2-\frac{2}{y+1})Q+\frac{2}{y+1}
 

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