# Integral of 1/sin^4x

1. Mar 1, 2007

### fizzzzzzzzzzzy

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

integral of 1/(sinx)^4

2. Relevant equations

i dunno

3. The attempt at a solution

ive tried substitution but that just results in a more complicated integral, integration by parts does the same thing without actually reducing the integral. I though i could use integration by parts to recreate the original integral but, i can't get that to work either. any help?

2. Mar 1, 2007

### ranger

This looks like something where you would do Wierstrass substitution.
http://math.berkeley.edu/~reshetik/LN/1B-lec6.pdf

t=tan(x/2); sin(x) = 2t/(1+t2); then figure out what dx so you can replace it with dt. After you've integrated, remember that t=tan(x/2).

Last edited: Mar 1, 2007
3. Mar 1, 2007

### tim_lou

hints:
1. think about csc(x)

not enough?
2. think about 1+csc^2(x)

still not enouh?
3. think about d(cot(x))

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