Integrate Simple: Solved [SOLVED] Simple Integration

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of the function f(x) = sin x / (cos x)^2, which falls under the subject area of calculus, specifically integral calculus. Participants explore various methods to approach the integration problem without arriving at a definitive solution.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the possibility of solving the integral without substitution, with some expressing uncertainty about their reasoning. Others suggest using substitution and trigonometric identities, while one participant reflects on the context of the problem in relation to their learning progression in calculus.

Discussion Status

Several approaches have been proposed, including u-substitution and rewriting the function in terms of secant and tangent. While some participants have shared their integration results, there is no explicit consensus on the best method, and the discussion remains open to further exploration.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the problem was encountered early in their integral calculus studies, where they primarily focused on basic integration rules. There is also mention of a small oversight regarding the constant of integration in one participant's solution.

salman213
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[SOLVED] Simple Integration

1. Integrate the following

f(x) = sin x/(cos x )^2






3. Well i don't really want to use subsititution or anything since I am pretty sure this can be done very simply but i don't know why i cannot get it...

sin x /cos ^2 x = sinx / 1- sin^2x

i know ln (cos x)^2 will give me (-2(cosx)*sinx)(1/cos^2x)

so that's not good...
 
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salman213 said:
Well i don't really want to use subsititution or anything since I am pretty sure this can be done very simply but i don't know why i cannot get it...
How about u-substitution?
 
You must use substitution. Using trig identities will only make it messier.

Hint: get f(x) into the form du / u ^2 .
 
yea i just did it with u as well but that weird, cause this question was in my first section for integral calc (where we basically onyl went through basic rules like power rule, and integrals of other trig functions)

but anyways


let u = cosx

du/dx = -sinx
-du=sinxdx

now i integrate - 1/(u)^2 * du
= integral of -u^-2 *du

= u^-1

= cos^-1 x

= 1/cos x

= sec x


thanksss
 
salman213 said:
yea i just did it with u as well but that weird, cause this question was in my first section for integral calc (where we basically onyl went through basic rules like power rule, and integrals of other trig functions)

but anyways let u = cosx

du/dx = -sinx
-du=sinxdx

now i integrate - 1/(u)^2 * du
= integral of -u^-2 *du

= u^-1

= cos^-1 x

= 1/cos x

= sec xthanksss

Yup, that seems perfectly correct. Except for a small error, you forgot the Constant of Integration "+ C" at the end of the final result. :)
 
It happens in this case that there is another way to go about this, although it's not something you'd generally spot at first (you notice it after doing the u-substitution). You can also write
(sin x)/[(cos x)^2] as (1/cos x)·(sin x / cos x) = sec x tan x , which is the derivative of sec x . (This at least serves as a check on your result...)
 
\int\frac{\sin x}{\cos^2 x}dx=-\int\frac{1}{\cos^2 x}d(\cos x)=-\int (\cos x)^{-2}d(\cos x)=-\frac{(\cos x)^{-2+1}}{-2+1}+C=\frac{1}{\cos x} +C
d(\cos x)=-\sin x dx
dx=\frac{d(\cos x)}{-\sin x}
 
Last edited:

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