Need help factoring the solution to this integral

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    Factoring Integral
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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral ∫ (x² + 2x)cos(x) dx, focusing on the factorization of the resulting expression. Participants are comparing their factored forms with a textbook answer.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to factor their solution and is seeking clarification on how to match the textbook's format. Some participants suggest examining the distribution of terms in the factorization process.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with one offering a clarification on the factorization technique. There is recognition of a misunderstanding regarding the distribution of terms, which has led to a productive exchange of ideas.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses frustration over the difference between their factored answer and the textbook's answer, indicating a focus on the nuances of algebraic manipulation rather than the integral's solution itself.

dlacombe13
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Homework Statement


∫ (x2+2x)cos(x) dx

The Attempt at a Solution


I will not show the entire solution because it is quite long (had to use integration by parts twice), and my problem isn't with getting the solution. My problem is the book shows one answer (which is equivalent to mine, but factored in a way that I cannot seem to achieve).

The answer I got (verified by symbolab and wolfram alpha)
x2sin(x) - 2[sin(x) - xcos(x)] + 2[xsin(x) + cos(x)] + C
Which I managed to factor (using rearranging and grouping) into:
sin(x)(x2 + 2x - 2) + 2cos(x)(x + 1) + C

The book's answer is very, very close to mine, but it is irking me that I do not know how to get it exactly as such:
sin(x)(x2 + 2x) + 2cos(x)(x + 1) - 2sin(x) + C

Could someone help me figure out how to turn my factored answer into the book's answer?
 
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You just need to multiply the first sine function out to get that ##-2\sin(x)## term in there. In full detail, write $$\sin(x)(x^2 + 2x - 2) = x^2 \sin(x) + 2x \sin(x) - 2 \sin(x) = \sin(x) (x^2 + 2x) - 2 \sin(x).$$
 
dlacombe13 said:

Homework Statement


∫ (x2+2x)cos(x) dx

The Attempt at a Solution


I will not show the entire solution because it is quite long (had to use integration by parts twice), and my problem isn't with getting the solution. My problem is the book shows one answer (which is equivalent to mine, but factored in a way that I cannot seem to achieve).

The answer I got (verified by symbolab and wolfram alpha)
x2sin(x) - 2[sin(x) - xcos(x)] + 2[xsin(x) + cos(x)] + C
Which I managed to factor (using rearranging and grouping) into:
sin(x)(x2 + 2x - 2) + 2cos(x)(x + 1) + C

The book's answer is very, very close to mine, but it is irking me that I do not know how to get it exactly as such:
sin(x)(x2 + 2x) + 2cos(x)(x + 1) - 2sin(x) + C

Could someone help me figure out how to turn my factored answer into the book's answer?

Did you miss the fact that ##\sin(x) (x^2 + 2x - 2) = \sin(x)(x^2 + 2x) - 2 \sin(x)##?
 
Yes I certainly did... I guess what I didn't realize was that it was just the basic property a(b+c) = ab+ac but in the form a(b+c+d) = a(b+c)+ad. Thanks for pointing out what I missed!
 

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