Integrating (9-x^2)^{5/2}: Solving Integration Frustration

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Homework Statement


[itex]\int (9-x^2)^{5/2} dx[/itex]


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


Letting[tex]x=3sin\theta[/tex] and [tex]dx=3 cos \theta[/tex],

[itex]243\int(1-sin^2\theta)^{5/2}3 cos \theta d\theta[/tex]<br /> <br /> Taking the 3 out gets<br /> <br /> [tex]729 \int (1-sin^2 \theta)^{5/2} cos \theta d\theta[/tex]<br /> <br /> I'm not sure where to go from here. Do I combine everything algebraically and then do a u sub? Or do I integrate by parts here?[/itex]
 
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negatifzeo said:

Homework Statement


[itex]\int (9-x^2)^{5/2} dx[/itex]


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


Letting[tex]x=3sin\theta[/tex] and [tex]dx=3 cos \theta[/tex],

[itex]243\int(1-sin^2\theta)^{5/2}3 cos \theta d\theta[/tex]<br /> <br /> Taking the 3 out gets<br /> <br /> [tex]729 \int (1-sin^2 \theta)^{5/2} cos \theta d\theta[/tex]<br /> <br /> I'm not sure where to go from here. Do I combine everything algebraically and then do a u sub? Or do I integrate by parts here?[/itex]
[itex] <br /> Well, you could remember that [tex](1 - sin^2 \theta) = cos^2 \theta[/tex] so that your integrand becomes [tex]cos^6 \theta[/tex] and then look that integral up in a table of integrals, or look up a reduction formula for [tex]cos^6 \theta[/tex]. You'll be able to integrate the expression that results from the reduction formula.[/itex]
 
AEM said:
Well, you could remember that [tex](1 - sin^2 \theta) = cos^2 \theta[/tex] so that your integrand becomes [tex]cos^6 \theta[/tex] and then look that integral up in a table of integrals, or look up a reduction formula for [tex]cos^6 \theta[/tex]. You'll be able to integrate the expression that results from the reduction formula.

Careful; [tex](\cos^2 \theta)^{5/2}=|\cos^5 \theta|\neq\cos^5 \theta[/tex] in general.
 
gabbagabbahey said:
Careful; [tex](\cos^2 \theta)^{5/2}=|\cos^5 \theta|\neq\cos^5 \theta[/tex] in general.

You are, of course, correct. I should have been more careful.