Solve e^x cos(x) Intigration Problem

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of the function e^x cos(x). Participants express varying degrees of difficulty in solving the integral and explore different methods of approach.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants suggest using integration by parts, noting that it leads back to the original integral, while others explore alternative methods, including the use of Euler's formula and complex numbers. There are also discussions about ensuring the correct signs in the integration process.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants sharing different perspectives and methods. Some express concern about providing complete solutions, emphasizing the importance of allowing the original poster to engage with the problem independently.

Contextual Notes

There is a clear emphasis on not providing complete solutions, with participants reminding each other to encourage the original poster's own problem-solving efforts. Additionally, some participants question the presence of constants of integration in the proposed solutions.

Pearce_09
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Hello,
I just cannot solve this intigrating problem, either i can't think straight, or it just can't be done..

e^x cos(x)

If you intigrate by parts, its series that goes on and on... so is it even possible??
 
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Integrate by parts twice and you'll get another integral that looks like your original one. Then you can add that to the original, so that the stuff that's left is equal to twice your original integral.
 
the thing to this question is e^x cos(x)
you integrate it a few times and when you integrate it you will go back to this function e^x cos(x)
then

(integral e^x cos(x) = blah blah blah blah blah +-(either plus or minus: say minus) integral e^x cos(x)dx)
so now you add the integral(e^x cos(x)
) to the left side and becomes 2*
so then this becomes
2*integrale^x cos(x)=blah blah blah blah blah

integrale^x cos(x)=(blah blah blah blah blah)/2 now you solved it
 
Last edited:
dglee said:
(integral e^x cos(x) = blah blah blah blah blah +-(either plus or minus: say minus) integral e^x cos(x)dx)
so now you add the integral(e^x cos(x)
No, it cannot be either plus or minus, it must be minus, if it's a plus then after rearraninging it, you will get something like:
\int 0 \ dx = \mbox{constant}.
And obviously, you don't want to get this result, right?
@ Pearce_09, have you worked it out yet?
 
Another way...

Another way to evaluate \int e^{x}\cos x dx is:

By Euler's equation, viz. e^{ix}= \cos x +i\sin x , and hence

e^{x}e^{ix} = e^{x}\left( \cos x +i\sin x\right) = e^{x}\cos x +ie^{x}\sin x

so that we have

\Re\left[ e^{x}e^{ix} \right] = e^{x}\cos x ,

where \Re\left[ z\right] denotes the real part of z, (which for z=x+iy is x)

and hence

\int e^{x}\cos x dx = \Re\left[ \int e^{x}e^{ix} dx\right] = \Re\left[ \int e^{(1+i)x} dx\right] = \Re\left[ \frac{1}{1+i} e^{(1+i)x} + C\right]
= \Re\left[ \frac{1}{2}(1-i) e^{x}\left( \cos x +i\sin x\right) \right] + C_1= \Re\left[ \frac{1}{2}\left( e^{x}\cos x + e^{x}\sin x\right) + i\frac{1}{2}\left( -e^{x}\cos x + e^{x}\sin x\right)\right] + C_1
= \frac{1}{2}\left( e^{x}\cos x + e^{x}\sin x\right) +C_1

where C_1 is a real contant, and a 'free' corollary is:

\int e^{x}\sin x dx = \Im\left[ \int e^{x}e^{ix} dx\right] = \frac{1}{2}\left( -e^{x}\cos x + e^{x}\sin x\right) +C,

where \Im\left[ z\right] denotes the imaginary part of z, (which for z=x+iy is y.)
 
Last edited:
Easier way is (as others say above) put

S(x) = \int e^x \cos x dx = e^x \sin x - \int e^x \sin x dx

Now

\int e^x \sin x dx = -e^x \cos x +\int e^x \cos x dx

Inserting this into the first formula,

S(x) = e^x \sin x + e^x \cos x - S(x)

and we have

S(x)=\frac {e^x} 2 (\sin x + \cos x)
 
maverick6664 said:
Easier way is (as others say above) put

S(x) = \int e^x \cos x dx = e^x \sin x - \int e^x \sin x dx

Now

\int e^x \sin x dx = -e^x \cos x +\int e^x \cos x dx

Inserting this into the first formula,

S(x) = e^x \sin x + e^x \cos x - S(x)

and we have

S(x)=\frac {e^x} 2 (\sin x + \cos x)
?
No complete solution, please!
You most let the OP think, that's for his own's shake. Unless you can see that he (the OP) has tried damn hard and still cannot figure out the problem, don't give out complete solution. https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=28
Or you can try to post a new solution (like what benorin did) that the OP has not known yet, so after he works out the problem on his own way, he'll have 2 different ways to solve the problem! And that's good for him!
---------------
And look at your solution again, where's the constant of integration?
 
VietDao29 said:
?
No complete solution, please!
You most let the OP think, that's for his own's shake. Unless you can see that he (the OP) has tried damn hard and still cannot figure out the problem, don't give out complete solution. https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=28
Or you can try to post a new solution (like what benorin did) that the OP has not known yet, so after he works out the problem on his own way, he'll have 2 different ways to solve the problem! And that's good for him!
---------------
And look at your solution again, where's the constant of integration?

oh..sorry for that!
 

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