How to Factor Constants Out of Trigonometric Integrals?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the process of factoring constants out of trigonometric integrals, specifically the integral of the form ∫Fsin(wt) dt, where F and w are constants. Participants explore various methods and reasoning related to this integration, including substitution and integration techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in factoring the constant w out of the sine function and seeks assistance.
  • Another participant suggests using the half-angle formula for specific cases of w, but questions the existence of a general formula.
  • A different participant clarifies that the integral can be evaluated directly without factoring w out, leading to a specific result involving F and w.
  • Some participants speculate that the original poster may have a specific purpose for wanting to factor out w, rather than simply evaluating the integral.
  • One participant proposes a substitution method where t is replaced with t/w, which simplifies the integral.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of applying elementary methods like integration by parts or substitution, regardless of the constants involved.
  • There is a suggestion that the challenge may lie in evaluating the integral using a particular method rather than just finding its value.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the necessity or purpose of factoring out w from the sine function, with some focusing on the evaluation of the integral and others questioning the intent behind the original query.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention methods like substitution and integration by parts, but there is no agreement on whether these methods are necessary for the problem at hand. The discussion includes various approaches without resolving the underlying question of factoring w out of the sine function.

mattyc33
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I am just having problems factoring the constants out of the integral:

∫Fsinwt dt

where F and w are constants.

I can obviously take F right out of the integral but I forget how to take the w out of the sin, and I can't seem to find anywhere on the internet that will tell me how to do so.

If anyone could quickly help me that would be great. Thanks.

EDIT: If anyone could explain to me how to enter an integral like this into wolfram alpha so I can have steps that would be just as good.
 
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What is the final porpose of doing that?
You could use the half-angle formula:

sin(2x)=2sinxcosx

for particular 'w', but I don't think that there is a general (resonable) formula for any w. The only thing that comes to my mind is using de Moivre's theorem:

(cosx+isinx)^w=(coswx+isinwx)=(cosx+isinx)^w, and now you can multiply out the bracket and take the imaginary part what wil leave u with:

sinwx=(powers of sinx)
 
You don't need to factor out the w. You really just have F\intsinwtdt[\tex]. You just need to integrate sinwt. So you'll get -coswt, and accounting for the w and F gives (-Fcoswt)/w. For wolfram alpha just type in integrate and then the function
 
Yeah, but I think that he has some hidden purpose in doing that trick :P It's pretty simple to integrate, so propably he needs it in that form.
 
The way I find easiest is 'everywhere I see a t, replace it with t/w'. Of course, that includes in the bounds of the integral.
 
mattyc33 said:
I am just having problems factoring the constants out of the integral:

∫Fsinwt dt

where F and w are constants.

I can obviously take F right out of the integral but I forget how to take the w out of the sin, and I can't seem to find anywhere on the internet that will tell me how to do so.

If anyone could quickly help me that would be great. Thanks.

EDIT: If anyone could explain to me how to enter an integral like this into wolfram alpha so I can have steps that would be just as good.

u = wt, so dt = du/w. The integral becomes (F/w)∫sinudu = -(F/w)coswt + C

Not acquainted with Wolfram alpha.
 
In other words, even if the constants are abstractly depicted through letters, you must still be able to apply the elementary methods like part integration or substitution.
 
Well, I still think that the problem was not to simply evaluate the integral, which is easy, but to evaluate it by a given method (why else struggle with dragging that constant out of the sin?).
 

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