How to evaluate sin(t-tau)cos(tau) wrt tau(0t)?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the integration of the expression sin(t-tau)cos(tau) with respect to tau over the interval from 0 to t. Participants explore various methods for evaluating this integral, including the use of trigonometric identities and integration techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks how to compute the integral by hand, noting that Maple provides an answer of (1/2)*t*sin(t).
  • Another participant suggests using the identity sin(t-tau) = sin(t)cos(tau) - cos(t)sin(tau) to rewrite the integral.
  • Some participants propose integrating the rewritten expression by separating it into two integrals, one involving cos^2(tau) and the other involving cos(tau)sin(tau).
  • There is a suggestion to derive the sum-of-angles formula from Euler's formula as a way to understand the trigonometric identities better.
  • A later reply introduces an alternative approach using the identity sinA cosB = (sin(A+B) + sin(A-B))/2, which some participants find simpler.
  • Some participants express frustration about the complexity of the problem and the potential difficulties it may pose in an exam setting.
  • There is a discussion about whether the original suggestion adequately addressed the entire expression or only part of it.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the best method to evaluate the integral, with no consensus reached on a single approach. Some participants support the use of trigonometric identities, while others question their effectiveness or express difficulty in applying them.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not resolved the mathematical steps involved in the integration, and there are indications of missing assumptions or varying levels of familiarity with trigonometric identities.

lkj-17
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How to integrate sin(t-tau)cos(tau)d(tau) where tau = 0..t

Maple gives answer (1/2)*t*sin(t)

How can we compute it by hand?
 
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I would start with a trig identity. sin(t- tau)= sin(t)cos(tau)- cos(t)sin(tau). Now the integral is
\int_0^t (sin(t)cos^2(tau)- cos(t)cos(tau)sin(tau)) dtau
= sin(t)\int_0^t cos<sup>2</sup>(tau)dtau- cos(t)\int_0^t cos(tau)sin(tau)dtau
You can integrate the first by using cos2(tau)= (1/2(1+ cos(2tau)) and in the second, let u= sin(tau).
 
Last edited by a moderator:
HallsofIvy said:
I would start with a trig identity. sin(t- tau)= sin(t)cos(tau)- cos(t)sin(tau). Now the integral is
\int_0^t (sin(t)cos^2(tau)- cos(t)cos(tau)sin(tau)) dtau[/iex]<br /> = sin(t)\int_0^t cos&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;(tau)dtau- cos(t)\int_0^t cos(tau)sin(tau)dtau<br /> You can integrate the first by using cos<sup>2</sup>(tau)= (1/2(1+ cos(2tau)) and in the second, let u= sin(tau).
<br /> <br /> Any simple way to do it?<br /> <br /> If this happened in the exam, it will be a disaster!
 
You should learn the trig identities well enough so that they ARE simple to you. Then you can apply them in exams.

If you forget the sum-of-angles formula, you can easily derive it from Euler's formula:

e^{i(\theta + \phi)} = \cos (\theta + \phi) + i \sin (\theta + \phi)

e^{i\theta} e^{i\phi} = \cos (\theta + \phi) + i \sin (\theta + \phi)

(\cos \theta + i \sin \theta) (\cos \phi + i \sin \phi) = \cos (\theta + \phi) + i \sin (\theta + \phi)

(\cos \theta \cos \phi - \sin \theta \sin \phi) + i (\cos \theta \sin \phi + \sin \theta \cos \phi) = \cos (\theta + \phi) + i \sin (\theta + \phi)

from which you can read off the two identities:

\cos (\theta + \phi) = \cos \theta \cos \phi - \sin \theta \sin \phi

\sin (\theta + \phi) = \cos \theta \sin \phi + \sin \theta \cos \phi
 
Ben Niehoff said:
You should learn the trig identities well enough so that they ARE simple to you. Then you can apply them in exams.

If you forget the sum-of-angles formula, you can easily derive it from Euler's formula:

e^{i(\theta + \phi)} = \cos (\theta + \phi) + i \sin (\theta + \phi)

e^{i\theta} e^{i\phi} = \cos (\theta + \phi) + i \sin (\theta + \phi)

(\cos \theta + i \sin \theta) (\cos \phi + i \sin \phi) = \cos (\theta + \phi) + i \sin (\theta + \phi)

(\cos \theta \cos \phi - \sin \theta \sin \phi) + i (\cos \theta \sin \phi + \sin \theta \cos \phi) = \cos (\theta + \phi) + i \sin (\theta + \phi)

from which you can read off the two identities:

\cos (\theta + \phi) = \cos \theta \cos \phi - \sin \theta \sin \phi

\sin (\theta + \phi) = \cos \theta \sin \phi + \sin \theta \cos \phi

Unable to obtain (1/2)*t*sin(t) from this method.
Would you please show a little steps?
 
Which integral are you stuck on? Show your work.
 
HallsofIvy said:
I would start with a trig identity. sin(t- tau)= sin(t)cos(tau)- cos(t)sin(tau).

Hi lkj-17 and HallsofIvy! :smile:
lkj-17 said:
Any simple way to do it?

If this happened in the exam, it will be a disaster!

Do it in one go with sinA cosB = (sin(A+B) + sin(A-B))/2:

∫sin(t-tau)cos(tau)dtau = ∫(sint + sin(t-2tau))dtau/2. :smile:
 
Yes, that was what was originally suggested. Apparently ikj-17 feels he is not capable of doing that.
 
HallsofIvy said:
Yes, that was what was originally suggested.

No … the original suggestion was sin(A-B) = sinAcosB - cosAsinB, which is different, and only dealt with half the expression.

sinA cosB = (sin(A+B) + sin(A-B))/2 deals with the whole thing in one go, and avoids all those nasty squares. :biggrin:

ikj-17 may even be able to integrate ∫(sint + sin(t-2tau))dtau/2 from 0 to t just by looking at it! :wink:
 

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