Integrate x^5secxdx to Solving the Tricky Integration Problem

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral of the function x^5 sec(x) over the interval from -1 to 1. Participants are exploring the properties of the function to understand the behavior of the integral.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the nature of the function f(x) = x^5 sec(x) and whether it is even, odd, or neither. There are attempts to verify these properties through definitions and comparisons of f(x), f(-x), and -f(x).

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on how to determine the evenness or oddness of the function, while others express confusion about the definitions. The conversation is exploring the implications of these properties on the integral's value without reaching a definitive conclusion.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of the integral not being expressible in terms of elementary functions, and the original poster indicates a misunderstanding regarding the integral's evaluation over the specified limits.

islubio
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Hi I m kinda stuck at this question.

integral of x^5secxdx. I tried IBP n i couldn't carry on.
 
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Unfortunately, this integral is not expressible in terms of elementary functions.
 
Ok my frene gave me the wrong info. int that interms of -1 to 1.
I know the answer is 0 but why?
 
Is the function [itex]f(x) = x^5 \sec{x}[/itex] even, odd or neither? When you have decided that, it should become clear as to why

[itex]\int^{1}_{-1}{x^5 \sec{x}} dx = 0[/itex]
 
I feel lost lol. How do i tell if it's even odd or neither?
 
A function [itex]f[/itex] is even if [itex]f(x) = f(-x) \forall x \in domain[/itex]

A function [itex]f[/itex] is odd if [itex]-f(x) = f(-x) \forall x \in domain[/itex]

For your function, check [itex]f(x)[/itex] vs. [itex]f(-x)[/itex] vs. [itex]-f(x)[/itex].
 
Last edited:
f(-x) = -x^5sec-x

-f(x) = -(x^5secx)

Is this the way?
 
Sorry, I initially missed a negative sign in my last post.

Yes, that's a way to check. And you know that sec(x) = 1/cos(x) and that cos(-x) = cos(x). Therefore, sec(-x) = sec(x). That implies that sec is an even function. However, (-x)^5 = -(x^5) implies that x^5 is an odd function. An even function times an odd function is itself an odd function.

One property of an odd function, g(x), is that

[itex]\int^{a}_{-a} g(x)dx = 0[/itex]
 
On a related note, for an even function h(x),

[itex]\int^{a}_{-a} h(x)dx = 2\int^{a}_{0} h(x)dx[/itex]

If you graph some simple even and odd functions, you will see why this is the case.
 

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