Integration & Trig: Get Help Now!

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    Calculus Trig
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around integration techniques and trigonometric identities, specifically focusing on integrating functions involving polynomials and demonstrating a trigonometric relationship. The scope includes mathematical reasoning and problem-solving related to integration and trigonometry.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests help with integrating the functions 1/(1-x^5) and 1/(1+x^4), later correcting the first function to 1/sqrt(1-x^5).
  • Another participant suggests that polynomials can be factored into linear or quadratic terms and proposes using partial fractions for integration.
  • A participant inquires about the context of the trigonometric identity, asking if a, b, and c represent lengths of sides in a triangle.
  • Further elaboration on the fifth roots of unity is provided, detailing their positions in the complex plane and their relationship to the factorization of 1-x^5.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying approaches to the integration problems and the trigonometric identity, with no consensus reached on the best method or interpretation of the variables involved.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the context of the trigonometric identity and the specific methods for integrating the given functions. The discussion includes complex roots and their implications for factorization, which may not be fully explored.

alamin
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Need help in integration and trig
How do you integrate
1. 1/(1-x^5)
2. 1/(1+x^4)

and the trig question.
Show that

(a^2 - b^2)/c^2 = sin(A-B)/sin(A+B)
 
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Every polynomial, such as 1- x5 and 1+ x4 can be factored, using real numbers, into a product of linear or quadratic terms.
To factor 1- x5, find all complex roots to x5= 1. One is, of course 1 the others are complex conjugates which can be paired to give two quadratic factors. Then use "partial fractions".
Same for 1/(1+x4).

In the trig question, are we to assum that a, b, and c are lengths of sides opposite angles A, B, C? In a right triangle or general triangle?
 
general triangle!
a,b,c are length's
A,B,C are opposite angles

Sorry but i made a mistake in the first integration question
its suppose to be 1/sqrt(1-x^5)

When i used this integration in mathematica 5 : i got something like hypergeometric2f1...

Can u help me out!
 
The 5 "fifth roots of unity" lie on a circle, in the complex plane of radius 1, equally spaced around the circle. The angle between them is 360/5= 72 degrees so they are;
1, cos(72)+ i sin(72), cos(144)+ i sin(144), cos(216)+ i sin(216), cos(288)+ i sin(288).

Since cos(72)= cos(288), sin(72)= -sin(288), cos(144)= cos(216), and sin(144)= sin(216), these are in pairs of complex conjugates (as they have to be in order to satisfy and equation with real coefficients.

The solutions to x5= 1 are: 1, cos(72)+ i sin(72), cos(72)- i sin(72), cos(144)+ i sin(144), cos(144)- i sin(144) and so
1- x= -(x-1)(x- cos(72)+ i sin(72))(x- 72- i sin(72))(x- cos(144)+ isin(144))(x- cos(144)- i sin(144))= -(x-1)((x-cos(72))2+ sin2(72))((x-cos(144)2+ sin2(144))

= -(x-1)(x2- 2cos(72)+ 1)(x2-2cos(144)+ 1).

Once you have that factorization you can expand 1/(1- x5) in partial fractions.
 

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