Integration problems. (Integration by parts)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around integration techniques, specifically focusing on the integral of cos^2(x)dx. Participants are exploring various methods to solve this integral, including integration by parts and trigonometric identities.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to use integration by parts but encounters difficulties in arriving at the expected answer. Other participants suggest using trigonometric identities, such as the identity for cos^2(x), to simplify the problem. There is also a mention of a formula for integrating powers of sine and cosine.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing different methods to approach the integral, with some providing helpful guidance on alternative techniques. The original poster acknowledges the usefulness of one suggested method after trying it out.

Contextual Notes

There is a reference to a test approaching, which may impose constraints on the methods allowed or preferred for solving the problem. The original poster expresses uncertainty about the application of certain formulas in the context of integration.

BioCore

Homework Statement



Hi, I have a test coming up soon so I was doing some questions from the textbook when I stumbled upon this one and I'm stuck after like 5 tries. Here is the question:

[tex]\int[/tex]cos^2(x)dx

Solve.

Homework Equations



the question then states we should solve using this:
cos^2(x)dx = (cos x)(cos x)

which gives us:
[tex]\int[/tex]cos^2(x)dx = sinxcosx + [tex]\int[/tex]sin^2(x)dx

finally we should use sin^2(x) + cos^2(x) = 1 to replace the sin^2(x) at the right side of integral.

The Attempt at a Solution


so basically I tried using integral by parts, since we are studying this topic currently
and set:

u= 1 - cos^2(x) and dv = dx
du = 2cosxsinx and v = x

When I plug in the values into the integration and try to solve I don't end up with their answer. I must be overlooking something and this is where I am stuck:

[tex]\int[/tex]cos^2(x)dx = sinxcosx + x(1-cos^2x) - [tex]\int[/tex]2xcosxsinx

The final answer should be:
[tex]\int[/tex]cos^2(x)dx = 1/2sinxcosx + 1/2x + C

Thanks for the help.
 
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All problems of that type can be solved using this "formulas" :

[tex]\int[/tex]cos^n(x)dx = 1/nsinxcos^n-1(x) +n-1/n [tex]\int[/tex]sin^n-2(x)dx

[tex]\int[/tex]sin^n(x)dx = -1/nsin^n-1(x)cosx +n-1/n [tex]\int[/tex]sin^n-2(x)dx
 
well, you could also use this identity

cos^2(x)=(1+cos(2x))/2, it would really help you get to the answer pretty quickly, and without needing to do ineg by parts at all.
 
However, the point of the method that was suggested originally is that, after the first integration you have, as you say,
[tex]\int cos^2(x)dx = sinxcosx + \int sin^2(x)dx[/tex]
Now let [itex]sin^2(x)= 1- cos^2(x)[/itex] and that becomes
[tex]\int cos^2(x)dx= sin(x) cos(x)+ \int (1- cos^2(x))dx[/tex]
[tex]\int cos^2(x)dx= sin(x) cos(x)+ \int dx- \int cos^2(x) dx[/tex]
[tex]\int cos^2(x)dx= sin(x) cos(x)+ x - \int cos^2(x) dx[/tex]
Add [itex]\int cos^2(x)dx[/itex] to both sides of the equation and you are almost done.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Halls off Ivy thanks a lot, I forgot that rule of integration. thanks a lot, yeah now that I tried it out it actually works. Thanks a lot.
 
[tex]cos^2(x)dx= 1+cos2x/2[/tex]




wat i want to ask is...is this the formula for cos^2x dx or can it be used wid [tex]\int[/tex] too??
 

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