Integration of 1/2x & sinxcosx & x+1

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter ankur29
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Integration
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of various functions, specifically addressing differential equations and the application of different integration techniques. Participants explore the relationships between results obtained through trigonometric identities, substitution methods, and the implications of arbitrary constants in integration.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why a double angle identity was not used in a differential equation solution, presenting two different integration approaches that yield seemingly different results.
  • Another participant suggests that discrepancies in integration results may stem from mistakes in the integration process or the nature of arbitrary constants, asserting that the two methods yield equivalent results up to a constant.
  • There is a clarification regarding the integration of \( \int u \, du \), where a participant notes a missing factor of \( \frac{1}{2} \) in one of the calculations.
  • A participant inquires whether different integration techniques always result in different constants, prompting a response that indicates this is not always the case.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that different integration techniques can yield results that are equivalent up to an arbitrary constant, but there is some uncertainty about the specifics of when and how these constants may differ.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express confusion regarding the integration process and the relationship between different forms of the results, indicating a need for clarity on the treatment of constants in integration.

ankur29
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Hello I was wondering why in this differential equation they did not use double angle identity, I understand how to get the other result also

So

1)Dif eqn:

Dy/dx +ycotx= cosx


Integrating factor IF= e^ (integrand of cotx) = sinx

Solution
yIF= integrand of QIF where Q is cotx from original question)

y sinx= integral of cosxsinx

Now I recognised this as ½ sin2x and the integral would be

ysinx= ½(-cos2x/2+ c)

therefore y= 1/sinx (-cos2x/4+ c/2)

however this could be done by substitution

y sinx= integral of cosxsinx let u=sinx to give
ysinx= integral of cosx./u du/cosx
ysinx= sin^2x +c
y=1/sinx (sin^2x +c)

why are they not the same ?? or are they really the same

I mean if we differentiate either sin^2x or -cos2x/2 we would get back to cosxsinx

2)
(x-2)dy/dx –y = (x-2)^3
dy/dx – y/(x-2)= (x-2)^2
IF= 1/(x-2)
yIF= intergral of QIF

y/(x-2)= integral of (x-2)^2 .1/(x-2)
y/(x-2)= integral of (x-2)

If I were to integrate (x-2) why is it (x-2)^2/2 +c is it the same as x^2/2-2x+c
(I am confused about this one as from expansion I can see its similar but if I put any value for c into either say 1 I get different answers)



3)Finally integral of 1/2x I can do this by dividing by a half
i.e ½ integral of 1/x =1/2 lnx

but is itthe same as 1/2ln2x as this wway I say what must I do to denominator (2x) to get to numerator and then simply multiply this coefficient to the natural log of the bottom

i.e 1/4x+3 = ½ ln 4x+3

Can I only do that if I cannot factorise out a coeff?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Two typical reasons why using two integration techniques yield different answers are
  • You made a mistake in one or both integrations.
  • The answers are the same, to within an arbitrary constant.

You did both here. [itex]\int u du = 1/2u^2 + c[/itex]. You forgot the factor of 1/2.

The trig substitution and u substitution techniques yield solutions of

[tex]\aligned<br /> y\sin x &= -\,\frac 1 4 \cos 2x + c_1 && \text{trig substitution} \\<br /> &= \phantom{-}\frac 1 2 \sin^2 x + c_2 && \text{ u-substitution}<br /> \endaligned[/tex]

With the trig substitution [itex]\cos 2x = 1 - 2\sin^2x[/itex], the first becomes

[tex]y\sin x = -\,\frac 1 4 (1-2\sin^2 x) + c_1 = \frac 1 2 \sin^2 x + c_1 - \frac 1 4[/itex]<br /> <br /> So the two techniques do agree to within an arbitrary constant.[/tex]
 
so a diff technique will give a diff constant?
 
Not always, but in this case, yes.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
4K