L'hospital's rule with trig functions

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around evaluating the limit of a definite integral involving the function tan^8(t) as the upper limit approaches zero, specifically lim(x->0) ∫(0 to sin^2(x)) tan^8(t) dt. The subject area includes calculus, specifically the application of L'Hôpital's rule and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of L'Hôpital's rule and the differentiation of the integral with respect to x. There are questions about the correct interpretation of the limit and the proper use of the chain rule in the context of definite integrals.

Discussion Status

Some participants have clarified the use of the chain rule in differentiating the integral, while others are exploring the correct formulation of the limit expression. There is an ongoing examination of the steps involved in applying L'Hôpital's rule to this problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating potential misunderstandings regarding the setup of the limit and the differentiation of the integral, as well as the notation used in LaTeX for clarity in mathematical expressions.

Shannabel
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Homework Statement


evaluate lim(x->0) (tan^8(t))dt(between 0 and sin^2x)


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


[tan^8(sin^2(x))]/sin^18(x)

my book says to use l'hospital's rule, so i continued with
[8tan^7(sin^2x)*sec^2(sin^2(X))*2sinxcosx]

but my book says i should just have
[tan^8(sin^2x)*2sinxcosx]/18sin^17(x)cos(x)

why did they only partially differentiate tan^8(sin^2(x))?
 
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Shannabel said:

Homework Statement


evaluate lim(x->0) (tan^8(t))dt(between 0 and sin^2x)
Is this supposed to be a definite integral? If so, is this the problem?
\lim_{x \to 0} \int_0^{sin^2(x)} tan^8(t)~dt

You can see the LaTeX I used by clicking on the integral.
Shannabel said:

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


[tan^8(sin^2(x))]/sin^18(x)
How did you get this?
Shannabel said:
my book says to use l'hospital's rule, so i continued with
[8tan^7(sin^2x)*sec^2(sin^2(X))*2sinxcosx]

but my book says i should just have
[tan^8(sin^2x)*2sinxcosx]/18sin^17(x)cos(x)

why did they only partially differentiate tan^8(sin^2(x))?
 
Mark44 said:
Is this supposed to be a definite integral? If so, is this the problem?
\lim_{x \to 0} \int_0^{sin^2(x)} tan^8(t)~dt

You can see the LaTeX I used by clicking on the integral.
How did you get this?

no, it should be
\lim_{x \to0} 1/{sin^18(x)} \int_0^{sin^2(x)} tan^8(t)~dt
 
Last edited:
Shannabel said:
no, it should be
\lim_{x \to0} 1/{sin^18(x)} \int_0^{sin^2(x)} tan^8(t)~dt

well i can't make it look right..
but it's 1/[sin^18(x)]
 
Fixed it.
Tip: In LaTeX, if an exponent has more than one character (and that includes pos. or negative sign) put braces {} around it.
Shannabel said:
no, it should be
\lim_{x \to 0} \frac{1}{sin^{18}(x)} \int_0^{sin^2(x)} tan^8(t)~dt
 
OK, that makes more sense. L'Hopital's is applicable here.

In answer to your questions, they didn't "partially differentiate" the expression in the integrand - they used the chain rule.

You know (I think) this part of the Fund. Thm. of Calculus involving derivatives and definite integrals.
\frac{d}{dx} \int_a^x f(t)~dt~= f(x)

If the limit of integration contains a function of x, then you need to use the chain rule.
\frac{d}{dx} \int_a^{g(x)} f(t)~dt~= \frac{d}{du} \int_a^{u} f(t)~dt * \frac{du}{dx}~= f(u) * du/dx
 
put 18 inside {} → ^{18}
Shannabel said:
no, it should be
\lim_{x \to0} 1/{sin^{18}(x)} \int_0^{sin^2(x)} tan^8(t)~dt

Is this the same as: \lim_{x \to0} \frac{ \int_0^{sin^2(x)} tan^8(t)~dt}{sin^{18}(x)} \ ?
 
Mark44 said:
OK, that makes more sense. L'Hopital's is applicable here.

In answer to your questions, they didn't "partially differentiate" the expression in the integrand - they used the chain rule.

You know (I think) this part of the Fund. Thm. of Calculus involving derivatives and definite integrals.
\frac{d}{dx} \int_a^x f(t)~dt~= f(x)

If the limit of integration contains a function of x, then you need to use the chain rule.
\frac{d}{dx} \int_a^{g(x)} f(t)~dt~= \frac{d}{du} \int_a^{u} f(t)~dt * \frac{du}{dx}~= f(u) * du/dx

that makes much more sense, thanks!
 

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