Solution for Integral of sin2x/(1+cos^2x) using Substitution Method

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral of sin(2x) divided by (1 + cos²(x)). Participants are exploring various substitution methods to evaluate this integral.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants attempt to solve the integral using substitution, specifically letting u = cos(x). There are questions about the correctness of the steps taken and the omission of the constant of integration. Some participants suggest alternative approaches and question the relationship between different forms of the integral.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing feedback on each other's attempts. Some guidance has been offered regarding the constant of integration and alternative methods, but there is no explicit consensus on the best approach or final answer.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating through potential discrepancies in their solutions and the implications of constants in the context of indefinite integrals. There is an ongoing examination of the denominator's form and its impact on the integral's evaluation.

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Homework Statement


[itex]\int \frac{sin2x}{1 + cos^{2}x} \textrm{ } dx[/itex]


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


[itex]\int \frac{sin2x}{1 + cos^{2}x} \textrm{ } dx \\\\<br /> \int \frac{2sinxcosx}{1 + cos^{2}x} \textrm{ } dx \\\\<br /> u = cosx \\\\<br /> -\int \frac{2u}{1 + u^{2}} \textrm{ } du \\\\<br /> w = u^{2} \\\\<br /> -\int \frac{1}{1 + w} \textrm{ } dw \\\\<br /> q = 1 + w \\\\<br /> -\int \frac{1}{q} \textrm{ } dq \\\\<br /> -ln(q) = -ln(1 + w) = -ln(1 + u^{2}) = -ln(1 + cos^{2}x)[/itex]

I don't know what I did wrong
 
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PhizKid said:

Homework Statement


[itex]\int \frac{sin2x}{1 + cos^{2}x} \textrm{ } dx[/itex]


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


[itex]\int \frac{sin2x}{1 + cos^{2}x} \textrm{ } dx \\\\<br /> \int \frac{2sinxcosx}{1 + cos^{2}x} \textrm{ } dx \\\\<br /> u = cosx \\\\<br /> -\int \frac{2u}{1 + u^{2}} \textrm{ } du \\\\<br /> w = u^{2} \\\\<br /> -\int \frac{1}{1 + w} \textrm{ } dw \\\\<br /> q = 1 + w \\\\<br /> -\int \frac{1}{q} \textrm{ } dq \\\\<br /> -ln(q) = -ln(1 + w) = -ln(1 + u^{2}) = -ln(1 + cos^{2}x)[/itex]

I don't know what I did wrong

Your answer is correct, except for the omission of the constant of integration. Which makes all the difference in the world, really.

Here's an easier way to approach the integral. Note that the denominator is, in fact: ##\frac{1}{2}(3 + \cos 2x)##. Can you go from there?

You'll find that the final answer you get using that method is different from your answer by only a constant (##\ln 2##), which means the answers are equivalent.
 
PhizKid said:

Homework Statement


[itex]\int \frac{sin2x}{1 + cos^{2}x} \textrm{ } dx[/itex]

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


[itex]\int \frac{sin2x}{1 + cos^{2}x} \textrm{ } dx \\\\<br /> \int \frac{2sinxcosx}{1 + cos^{2}x} \textrm{ } dx \\\\<br /> u = cosx \\\\<br /> -\int \frac{2u}{1 + u^{2}} \textrm{ } du \\\\<br /> w = u^{2} \\\\<br /> -\int \frac{1}{1 + w} \textrm{ } dw \\\\<br /> q = 1 + w \\\\<br /> -\int \frac{1}{q} \textrm{ } dq \\\\<br /> -ln(q) = -ln(1 + w) = -ln(1 + u^{2}) = -ln(1 + cos^{2}x)[/itex]

I don't know what I did wrong
What's the derivative of a constant?
 
Curious3141 said:
Your answer is correct, except for the omission of the constant of integration. Which makes all the difference in the world, really.

Here's an easier way to approach the integral. Note that the denominator is, in fact: ##\frac{1}{2}(3 + \cos 2x)##. Can you go from there?

You'll find that the final answer you get using that method is different from your answer by only a constant (##\ln 2##), which means the answers are equivalent.

I don't see where that denominator is. The solution says it's: -ln(cos(2x) + 3) + C
 
PhizKid said:
I don't see where that denominator is. The solution says it's: -ln(cos(2x) + 3) + C

What is [itex]\displaystyle \ \ -\ln(1 + \cos^{2}x)-(-\ln(\cos(2x) + 3))\ ?[/itex]
 
SammyS said:
What is [itex]\displaystyle \ \ -\ln(1 + \cos^{2}x)-(-\ln(\cos(2x) + 3))\ ?[/itex]

Isn't it [itex]ln(\frac{1 + cos^2x}{cos(2x) + 3})[/itex]? But what does [itex]ln(cos(2x) + 3)[/itex] have to do with anything?
 
PhizKid said:
Isn't it [itex]ln(\frac{1 + cos^2x}{cos(2x) + 3})[/itex]?

Try plotting that function.
 
Mute said:
Try plotting that function.

It looks like -ln(2)
 
PhizKid said:
It looks like -ln(2)
I get ln(2) .

That's just a constant, so the two answers are equivalent.
 

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