Integrating Sin^2x Secx: Best Method

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of the function \(\sin^2 x \sec x\), a topic within calculus, specifically focusing on integration techniques. Participants are exploring various methods to approach this integral.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss different substitution methods, including using \(u = \sin x\) and \(u = \cos x\), while questioning the effectiveness of these substitutions. There is also mention of integration by parts and attempts to simplify the integral by splitting fractions.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants providing various insights and suggestions. Some have proposed using identities to simplify the integral, while others express confusion about their approaches. There is no explicit consensus on the best method yet, but several productive lines of reasoning are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of integration techniques and are constrained by the need to find a suitable method without prior knowledge of the integral's solution. There is a focus on ensuring that substitutions align correctly with the integral's structure.

robierob12
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In a diff. Equation I am doing I have to integrate

<br /> <br /> \sin ^2 x\sec x<br /> <br /> <br />


which I can remember how to do.

What is the best method for this?
 
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Sec(x) = 1/cos x => (sin x)^2 / cos x

Notice how one of them is the derivative of the other.
 
with respect to x I'm guessing?

\int sin^2 x sec x dx=\int \frac{sin^2 x}{cos x} dx

just do a substitution. you probably didn't see the substitution right away with the secant, best to change to sin and cos first
 
<br /> <br /> \int {\frac{{\sin ^2 x}}{{\cos x}}} dx<br /> <br />

let u=sinx du=coxdx

I don't see this working because i have (1/cosx)dx not cosx dx...

Am I looking at the wrong substitution?

Rob
 
or if let u=cosx I am left with an exta sinx after substitution...
 
Try using sin^2x=1-cos^2x and then look for the integral of secx
 
....
 
rock.freak667 said:
Try using sin^2x=1-cos^2x and then look for the integral of secx

not sure what your getting at there

<br /> \[<br /> \int {\frac{{\sin ^2 x}}{{\cos x}}} dx = \int {\frac{{1 - \cos ^2 x}}{{\cos x}}dx = ?} <br /> \]<br />
 
I just tried integration by parts and I end up going in a circle...
don't know why this one is stumping me so much.
 
  • #10
hm..didn't notice that sin^2 x...

what rock.freak.667 meant was to split up that fraction and you'll have integral of sec x -cos x. so you'd have to find the integral of sec x.
 
  • #11
\[<br /> \begin{array}{l}<br /> \int {\sin ^2 x} \sec xdx = \int {(1 - \cos ^2 x)\sec xdx = \int {\sec x - \sec x\cos x\cos xdx} } \\ <br /> = \int {\sec x - \cos xdx} \\ <br /> \end{array}<br /> \]<br />

Does this work?
 
  • #12
yes, now you'd need to find the integral for sec x
 
  • #13
which i think its just the ln abs(secX + tanX)
 
  • #14
Thanks guys.
 

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