Improper Integral of theta/cos^2 theta

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the improper integral of the function theta/cos²(theta). Participants are exploring various approaches to tackle the integration, including the use of trigonometric substitutions and integration by parts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants discuss using half-angle identities and integration by parts. Others express uncertainty about the correctness of their attempts and question how the improper nature of the integral affects the integration process.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing their thoughts on integration techniques and the implications of improper integrals. There is a recognition of the need to clarify the conditions under which the integral becomes improper, particularly regarding the limits of integration.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the challenge of integrating functions involving natural logarithms and the conditions that must be met for the arguments of logarithmic functions. There is also mention of the integral being indefinite, which raises questions about its improper nature.

leo255
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Homework Statement



Improper Integral of theta/cos^2 theta

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



Hi all, this was one of the few questions on my final today that I just didn't know how to do. I know how to do trig sub, know all my trig identities and know improper integration, but was a bit at a loss for this one.

I could use a half angle for the denominator --> theta / 1/2 [1 + cos(2 theta)] -->

Maybe integrate, and get theta^2 / 1/2 theta + 1/2(sin 2 theta).

I'm sure what I tried was very wrong, but I wanted to make some kind of attempt.

Edit: nevermind, you can't integrate like that.
 
Last edited:
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leo255 said:

Homework Statement



Indefinite Integral of theta/cos^2 theta

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



Hi all, this was one of the few questions on my final today that I just didn't know how to do. I know how to do trig sub, know all my trig identities and know improper integration, but was a bit at a loss for this one.

I could use a half angle for the denominator --> theta / 1/2 [1 + cos(2 theta)] -->

Maybe integrate, and get theta^2 / 1/2 theta + 1/2(sin 2 theta).

I'm sure what I tried was very wrong, but I wanted to make some kind of attempt.

Edit: nevermind, you can't integrate like that.
$$\int \frac{\theta d\theta}{cos^2(\theta)} = \int \theta sec^2(\theta) d\theta$$

Use integration by parts with a judicious choice for u and dv.
 
Damn, that's a pretty easy integration by parts question actually. So, if I get an answer of tan(theta) - ln(sec(theta)), where would the improper integration come into play?

Oh wait, natural log functions must be greater than zero. So, it would be something like, the limit, as b approaches 0, from the right, of tan(theta) - ln(sec(theta))?
 
leo255 said:
Damn, that's a pretty easy integration by parts question actually. So, if I get an answer of tan(theta) - ln(sec(theta)), where would the improper integration come into play?
It's not a hard integration by parts, but the answer you show is incorrect. If you differentiate your answer, you don't get ##\theta sec^2(\theta)##.
leo255 said:
Oh wait, natural log functions must be greater than zero. So, it would be something like, the limit, as b approaches 0, from the right, of tan(theta) - ln(sec(theta))?
To be more precise, the argument of a log function must be greater than zero. The output of a log function can be any real number.

The integral you showed was an indefinite integral. An improper integral is a definite integral for which the integrand is undefined at one or more points inside the interval defined by the limits of integration, or at one or both endpoints.
 

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