Integral of sin(x) sin(x+1) dx from 0 to 2pi.

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SUMMARY

The integral of sin(x) sin(x+1) dx from 0 to 2π can be simplified using the trigonometric identity sin(A)sin(B) = 1/2 [cos(A-B) - cos(A+B)]. By applying this identity, the integral can be expressed as I = cos(1) ∫_0^(2π) sin²(x) dx. The integration by parts approach led to confusion due to the omission of the constant of integration, resulting in a tautology rather than a contradiction. This highlights the importance of careful handling of constants during integration.

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  • Understanding of trigonometric identities, specifically sin(A)sin(B).
  • Familiarity with integration techniques, particularly integration by parts.
  • Knowledge of definite integrals and their evaluation over specified limits.
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  • Study the derivation and application of the trigonometric identity sin(A)sin(B) = 1/2 [cos(A-B) - cos(A+B)].
  • Learn how to evaluate integrals involving sin²(x) using the identity cos(2x) = 1 - 2sin²(x).
  • Practice integration by parts with various functions to avoid common pitfalls.
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Homework Statement


Integral of sin(x) sin(x+1) dx from 0 to 2pi.

Homework Equations


Integration by parts: Integral u dv = uv – Integral v du

The Attempt at a Solution


My work has been attached as MyWork.jpg. I, basically, get 0 * integral_I_started_with = something_else instead of nonzero_constant * integral_I_started_with = something_else and, given that I've done this problem a multitude of times and failed (if I remember correctly, always with the same issue) and, I was hoping someone here could point out my mistake.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!
 

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s3a said:

Homework Statement


Integral of sin(x) sin(x+1) dx from 0 to 2pi.

Homework Equations


Integration by parts: Integral u dv = uv – Integral v du

The Attempt at a Solution


My work has been attached as MyWork.jpg. I, basically, get 0 * integral_I_started_with = something_else instead of nonzero_constant * integral_I_started_with = something_else and, given that I've done this problem a multitude of times and failed (if I remember correctly, always with the same issue) and, I was hoping someone here could point out my mistake.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Try a different approach. There's a trig formula that will let you express sin(A)sin(B) as a sum of simple trig functions. Can you find it?
 
s3a said:

Homework Statement


Integral of sin(x) sin(x+1) dx from 0 to 2pi.

Homework Equations


Integration by parts: Integral u dv = uv – Integral v du

The Attempt at a Solution


My work has been attached as MyWork.jpg. I, basically, get 0 * integral_I_started_with = something_else instead of nonzero_constant * integral_I_started_with = something_else and, given that I've done this problem a multitude of times and failed (if I remember correctly, always with the same issue) and, I was hoping someone here could point out my mistake.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

That image is difficult to read and in any case you didn't put in the limits. But integration by parts isn't what you want to do anyway. Use the formula$$
\sin a \sin b =\frac 1 2 (\cos(a-b)-\cos(a+b))$$
 
Your double integration by parts yielded
\int \sin(x)\sin(x+1)dx = -\sin(x+1)\cos(x) + \cos(x+1)\sin(x) + \int \sin(x)\sin(x+1)dx
(This is the line just before the line that is colored red.) Subtract the integral from both sides and you get
0 = -\sin(x+1)\cos(x) + \cos(x+1)\sin(x)
One may rightfully ask, what gives?

Look at the right hand side, ##-\sin(x+1)\cos(x) + \cos(x+1)\sin(x)##. This is ##\sin(x-(x+1))##, or ##\sin(1)##. So now we have the even more nonsensical ##\sin(1)=0##, which obviously is not true.

What happened is that you dropped a constant of integration. That supposedly nonsensical ##\sin(1)=0## is better stated as ##\sin(1) = c##. Instead of reaching a contradiction you've reached a tautology.

Bottom line: That's Just one of those things you need to be aware of when you do integration by parts.


Here's a hint that will help you solve this integral: Use the trick that x-x=0.
With this, cos(a) = cos(a+x-x) = cos((a+x)-x) = cos(a+x)cos(x) + sin(a+x)sin(x).
Now substitute a=1.
 
Thanks, guys!
 
An alternative approach.
Let
$$I=\int_{0}^{2\pi} \sin(x)\cdot\sin(x+1)dx $$

The integral is equivalent to
$$I=\int_{0}^{2\pi} \sin(2\pi-x)\cdot \sin(2\pi-(x-1))dx=\int_0^{2\pi} \sin(x)\cdot\sin(x-1)dx$$

Add the two expressions to get,
$$2I=\int_0^{2\pi} \sin(x)(\sin(x+1)+\sin(x-1))dx$$
Use ##\sin(A)+\sin(B)=2\sin((A+B)/2)\cos((A-B)/2)## to obtain,
$$2I=\int_0^{2\pi} \sin(x)(2\sin(x)\cos(1))dx \Rightarrow I=\cos(1)\int_0^{2\pi} \sin^2x dx$$

From the formula, ##\cos(2x)=1-2\sin^2x##, the integral can be easily evaluated.

I hope that helped.
 
Pranav-Arora said:
An alternative approach.
Let
$$I=\int_{0}^{2\pi} \sin(x)\cdot\sin(x+1)dx $$

The integral is equivalent to
$$I=\int_{0}^{2\pi} \sin(2\pi-x)\cdot \sin(2\pi-(x-1))dx=\int_0^{2\pi} \sin(x)\cdot\sin(x-1)dx$$

Add the two expressions to get,
$$2I=\int_0^{2\pi} \sin(x)(\sin(x+1)+\sin(x-1))dx$$
Use ##\sin(A)+\sin(B)=2\sin((A+B)/2)\cos((A-B)/2)## to obtain,
$$2I=\int_0^{2\pi} \sin(x)(2\sin(x)\cos(1))dx \Rightarrow I=\cos(1)\int_0^{2\pi} \sin^2x dx$$

From the formula, ##\cos(2x)=1-2\sin^2x##, the integral can be easily evaluated.

I hope that helped.

This problem could have been solved with much more ease, if you multiply the integral and divide by 2 and then isolate 1/2 out. Then apply formula 2sinAsinB=cos(A-B)-cos(A+B).

I know its too late to post here though.

Edit: Excellent hint given by LC Kurtz and Dick.
 

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