Integrals involving Secant & Tangent Derivation

[Nano-Passion]

Homework Statement

If the power of the secand is even and positive..
\int sec^{2k} x tan^{n} x dx = \int (sec^2 x)^{k-1} tan ^n x sec^2 x dx

The Attempt at a Solution

The way I see it,

sec^{2k} x = sec^2 x dx * sec^k x dx

the next step seems to be to break down sec^k, but on closer introspection, the break down goes something like this

sec^k x dx = (sec^2 x dx)^{k-1} = sec^{2k-2}x dx

I'm having trouble intuitively accepting that something like 2k-2 = k. It doesn't seem to add up, there seems to be something a bit more complex into it that is left out of detail.

 

[gopher_p]

You may want to review your exponent rules.

 

[Nano-Passion]

You may want to review your exponent rules.

(x^n)^m = x^{nm}
sec^m x = (sec x)^m
(sec^2 x)^{k-1} = (sec x)^ {(2)(k-1)}

 

[gopher_p]

OK. If $x^{nm}=(x^n)^m$ (which is correct), then what is $x^n\cdot x^m$?

 

[InfinityZero]

Homework Statement

If the power of the secand is even and positive..
\int sec^{2k} x tan^{n} x dx = \int (sec^2 x)^{k-1} tan ^n x sec^2 x dx

This is right, note that there are two terms on the right integral.

The Attempt at a Solution

The way I see it,

sec^{2k} x = sec^2 x dx * sec^k x dx

Umm, I don't think that's right remember that a^{b}*a^{c}=a^{b+c}

I also don't know where your dx terms are coming from there.

the next step seems to be to break down sec^k, but on closer introspection, the break down goes something like this

sec^k x dx = (sec^2 x dx)^{k-1} = sec^{2k-2}x dx

I'm having trouble intuitively accepting that something like 2k-2 = k. It doesn't seem to add up, there seems to be something a bit more complex into it that is left out of detail.

You seem to have multiplied your exponents correctly, but forgot that there is another sec^{2}x term in the right integral up top.

When doing this integral

\int sec^{2k} x tan^{n} x dx = \int (sec^2 x)^{k-1} tan ^n x sec^2 x dx

From here there is a handy trig identity involving sec^{2}x that you can use to make it into something easy to use u substitution on.

 

[Nano-Passion]

OK. If $x^{nm}=(x^n)^m$ (which is correct), then what is $x^n\cdot x^m$?

= x^{n+m}

 

[Nano-Passion]

This is right, note that there are two terms on the right integral.
Umm, I don't think that's right remember that a^{b}*a^{c}=a^{b+c}

I also don't know where your dx terms are coming from there.[/tex]

I tend to do silly mistakes sometimes, just ignore them.

You seem to have multiplied your exponents correctly, but forgot that there is another sec^{2}x term in the right integral up top.

When doing this integral

\int sec^{2k} x tan^{n} x dx = \int (sec^2 x)^{k-1} tan ^n x sec^2 x dx

Oh there you go, now I get back the original expression. Thanks. ^.^

From here there is a handy trig identity involving sec^{2}x that you can use to make it into something easy to use u substitution on.

I know about u substitution, the calculation is fairly trivial to me. What I was primarily concerned with is the derivation.