Integrating squares of sine & cosine

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral of the product of cosine and the square of sine, specifically the expression ∫4cos(x)sin²(x)dx. Participants are exploring different approaches to solve this integral.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants attempt to simplify the integral using trigonometric identities, while others question the steps taken, particularly regarding the expansion and substitution methods. There are discussions about the correct application of substitution and the importance of including differentials.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with each other's attempts, providing feedback and suggesting alternative substitutions. While some progress has been made, there is still a sense of uncertainty about the best approach to take, and no consensus has been reached on the final solution.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the application of trigonometric identities and the handling of differentials in substitution. Participants express feelings of being lost or rushed, highlighting the challenges of the problem.

sg001
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Homework Statement


find ∫4cosx*sin^2 x.dx


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



∫4cos x * 1/2 (1 - cos2x)

∫2cosx - 4cos^2 x.

Then i don't know whereto go from here??
 
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your last step how did you reach to 4cos^2 x ?
 
sg001 said:

Homework Statement


find ∫4cosx*sin^2 x.dx


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



∫4cos x * 1/2 (1 - cos2x)

∫2cosx - 4cos^2 x.

Then i don't know whereto go from here??

A simple substitution will work in this problem.
 
ie,
let u = cos x

∫ 2u - 4u^2

= u^2 -4/3 (u)^3 + C

This still does not lead me anywhere?

Or did you mean a substitution not in terms of 'u' but in terms of another trig result?
I feel lost.
 
kushan said:
your last step how did you reach to 4cos^2 x ?

by expanding 4cosx * 1/2(1-cos2x)

= 2cosx - 4cos^2 x
 
sg001 said:
ie,
let u = cos x
1. Start from the original integral.
2. That's almost the right substitution, but what is du? You are being very sloppy by omitting the differential, and this is exactly the type of problem where doing that will bite you in the butt.
sg001 said:
∫ 2u - 4u^2

= u^2 -4/3 (u)^3 + C

This still does not lead me anywhere?

Or did you mean a substitution not in terms of 'u' but in terms of another trig result?
I feel lost.
 
Last edited:
sg001 said:
ie,
let u = cos x

∫ 2u - 4u^2

= u^2 -4/3 (u)^3 + C

This still does not lead me anywhere?

Or did you mean a substitution not in terms of 'u' but in terms of another trig result?
I feel lost.

Instead:

Let u = sin(x) .
 
sg001 said:
by expanding 4cosx * 1/2(1-cos2x)

= 2cosx - 4cos^2 x
No.
cos(x) * cos(2x) [itex]\neq[/itex] cos2(x)
 
Hmmm
I think i need to stop rushing through my questions.
Thanks for pointing out the obvious!
 
  • #10
Yea I asked that too
 
  • #11
∫4cosx * u^2 * du/cosx

∫4(u)^2

4/3 (u)^3 + C

= 4/3 (sin x)^3 +C

Better?
 
  • #12
Now you can proceed , easily :)
 
  • #13
sg001 said:
∫4cosx * u^2 * du/cosx

∫4(u)^2

4/3 (u)^3 + C

= 4/3 (sin x)^3 +C

Better?
Yes, better, and that's the right answer, but some of the supporting work could be improved.

∫4cosx * u^2 * du/cosx

=[/color]∫4(u)^2 du[/color]

=[/color]4/3 (u)^3 + C

= 4/3 (sin x)^3 +C

In addition, it's usually better to make the substitution completely so that all the x's and dx's change to u's and du's, like this:

∫4cos(x) * sin2(x)dx [u = sin(x), du = cos(x)dx]
= 4 ∫u2 du
= 4 u3/3 + C
= (4/3) sin3(x) + C
 
  • #14
okie
 

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