Integration by Parts: \int{\sin{(\theta)}*\cos{(\theta)}*d\theta}

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral \(\int{\sin{(\theta)}*\cos{(\theta)}*d\theta}\) and various methods proposed for solving it, including integration by parts and substitution. Participants explore different approaches and identities related to the integral.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant attempts to solve the integral using integration by parts, defining \(u = \sin{(\theta)}\) and \(dv = \cos{(\theta)}d\theta\).
  • Another participant suggests using the identity \(\sin(2\theta) = 2 \sin(\theta) \cos(\theta)\) instead of integration by parts.
  • A different participant argues against using the identity and proposes a substitution \(u = \sin(\theta)\) leading to a simpler integral, while also validating the integration by parts approach.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of writing down both sides of the equation when using integration by parts, particularly for functions related to their derivatives.
  • Another participant provides an example of integration by parts with a different integral, illustrating the algebraic manipulation involved.
  • One participant suggests that a simple u-substitution could suffice, indicating that integration by parts may not be necessary.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the necessity and effectiveness of integration by parts versus substitution, with no consensus reached on the best method to solve the integral.

Contextual Notes

Some participants' approaches depend on specific identities or assumptions about the integral, and the discussion includes various mathematical manipulations that may not be universally applicable.

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The Integral:
\int{\sin{(\theta)}*\cos{(\theta)}*d\theta}
Attempt to solve by Integration by Parts:
\int{u*dv} = u*v - \int{v*du}
u = \sin{(\theta)}
du = \cos{(\theta)}*d\theta
v = \sin{(\theta)}
dv = \cos{(\theta)}*d\theta
Bringing back to the beginning.
 
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Have you considered using the ##sin(2\theta) = 2 sin(\theta) cos(\theta)## identity or do you need to use parts?

Also what if you add ##udv + vdu## integrals together to be = ## u . v ##?
 
In fact, I wouldn't use the that identity! Since (sin(\theta)'= cos(\theta), the substitution u= sin(\theta) so du= cos(\theta)d\theta gives \int sin(\theta)cos(\theta) d\theta= \int u du= \frac{1}{2}u^2+ C.

But you can do this "by parts" using u= sin(\theta), dv= cos(\theta)d\theta as you suggest. du= cos(\theta)d\theta and v= sin(\theta)d\theta so the integral becomes \int sin(\theta)cos(\theta)d\theta= sin^2(\theta)- \int sin(\theta) cos(\theta) d\theta.

Now, that is NOT "back to the beginning" because we can add \int sin(\theta)cos(\theta) d\theta to both sides to gbet 2 \int sin(\theta)cos(\theta)d\theta= sin^2(\theta) and dividing both sides by 2 gives the previous result.
 
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HallsofIvy has made a good point. Always write down the LHS and the RHS of the equation while integrating by parts when you're dealing with functions which are related to their first few derivatives with a constant (chiefly exponential and trigonometric functions).
 
What HallsOfIvy and PWiz are talking about is using integration by parts and algebraically solving for an integral. Here's an example.
##\int e^x \cos x dx## -- int. by parts, with ##u = e^x, dv = \cos x dx##, so ##du = e^x, v = \sin x##
##= e^x \sin x - \int e^x \sin x dx## -- int. by parts again, with ##u = e^x, dv = -\sin x dx## and ##du = e^x dx, v = \cos x##
##= e^x \sin x + e^x \cos x - \int e^x \cos x dx##

It looks like we've come full circle here, but actually we haven't. The above shows that
##\int e^x \cos x dx = e^x \sin x + e^x \cos x - \int e^x \cos x dx##
Add ##\int e^x \cos x dx## to both sides of the equation above, and solve algebraically for this integral. Of course, you need to add the arbitrary constant in your final answer.
 
You don't need to use integration by parts. Try a simple u-substitution.
 

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