How to solve these two tricky integrals?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving two integrals: \(\int (\ln x)^{2} dx\) and \(\int \cos^{4}(x) dx\). Participants explore various integration techniques, particularly integration by parts, and share their approaches to these mathematical problems.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using integration by parts for both integrals, proposing specific substitutions for each integral.
  • Another participant provides a potential solution for the first integral, stating it results in \(x((\ln x)^{2}) - 2x(\ln x) + 2x\), but does not confirm its correctness.
  • For the second integral, a different approach is proposed involving rewriting the integrand using trigonometric identities.
  • A new integral \(\int (x^{2}-2x+3)\ln x \, dx\) is introduced, with a suggestion to apply integration by parts again.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the use of integration by parts as a method for solving the integrals, but there is no consensus on the correctness of the proposed solutions or methods. Multiple approaches are presented without resolution on which is preferable.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the integrals and the methods used are not explicitly stated, and the discussion does not resolve the correctness of the solutions provided.

Who May Find This Useful

Students and enthusiasts of calculus, particularly those interested in integration techniques and problem-solving strategies.

European
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I cant' solve this two integrals :

[tex]\int[/tex] (ln x)[tex]^{2}[/tex]

[tex]\int[/tex] cos[tex]^{4}[/tex](x)
 
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You do both of them by parts.

European said:
[tex]\int[/tex] (ln x)[tex]^{2}[/tex]

You can rewrite this as:

[tex]\int (lnx)(lnx) dx[/tex]

with

u = lnx
dv = lnx dx


To integrate lnx dx, you have to do it by parts again. After that, it is very simple.

[tex]\int[/tex] cos[tex]^{4}[/tex](x)

Again, you can rewrite this integral as something you could do by parts.

[tex]\int cos^{3}xcosx dx[/tex]

u = cos^{3}x
dv = cosx dx

-Ataman
 
Last edited:
The answer of the first question is x*((ln x)^2) - 2x*(ln x) + 2x , you can check your answer.

As for the second one, my approach would be to write the integrand as
((cos x)^2)*(1 - ((sin x)^2)) , and then finish this off by using the trigonometric identities for (cos x)^2 and sin 2x .

Lastly, try to use as many problems as you can in your spare time and take notes for choosing the most suitable method in a problem you encounter.
 
Hi , thank you very much for the answers !

By the way , I just can't solve another one :

[tex]\int[/tex]( x[tex]^{2}[/tex]-2x+3)lnx dx
 
Again, straight forward by parts: let u= ln(x), dv= (x2- 2x+ 3)dx.
 

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