Solve Integral of ln(sin x) from 0 to pi.

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SUMMARY

The integral $$\int_{0}^{\pi} \ln (\sin x)\,dx$$ evaluates to $$-\pi \ln 2$$. This conclusion was reached through various methods discussed by forum members, including integration by parts and the use of symmetry properties of the sine function. Notable contributors to the solution include MarkFL and lfdahl, who provided detailed steps and explanations for their approaches.

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  • Experience with definite integrals and their evaluation.
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Evaluate the integral $$\int_{0}^{\pi} \ln (\sin x)\,dx$$.


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Congratulations to the following members for their correct solutions::)

1. MarkFL
2. Olok
3. lfdahl
3. chisigma

Solution from MarkFL:
We are given to evaluate:

$$I=\int_{0}^{\pi} \ln\left(\sin(x)\right)\,dx$$

By symmetry, we see that we may write:

$$I=2\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \ln\left(\sin(x)\right)\,dx$$

$$I=2\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \ln\left(\cos(x)\right)\,dx$$

Adding these two, and applying a double-angle identity for sine, and the properties of logs, we obtain:

$$I=\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \ln\left(\sin(2x)\right)-\ln(2)\,dx$$

using the substitution:

$$u=2x\,\therefore\,du=2\,dx$$

we then have:

$$I=\frac{1}{2}\int_{0}^{\pi} \ln\left(\sin(u)\right)-\ln(2)\,du$$

Integrating term by term, we find:

$$I=\frac{1}{2}I-\frac{\pi}{2}\ln(2)$$

Solving for $I$, we get:

$$I=-\pi\ln(2)$$

And so, we may conclude:

$$\int_{0}^{\pi} \ln\left(\sin(x)\right)\,dx=-\pi\ln(2)$$

Solution from lfdahl:
\[ \int_0^\pi \ln(\sin(x))dx = \int_0^\pi \ln(2\cos( \frac{x}{2} )\sin( \frac{x}{2} ))dx
\\\\
=\int_0^\pi \ln(2)dx+\int_0^\pi \ln(\cos( \frac{x}{2} ))dx+\int_0^\pi \ln(\sin( \frac{x}{2} )dx
\\\\=\pi \ln(2)+\int_{\frac{\pi}{2}}^{0}\ln(\cos(\frac{\pi -2u}{2})) d(\pi -2u)+\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}}\ln(\sin(\frac{2v}{2})d(2v)
\\\\
=\pi \ln(2)+2\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}}\ln(\sin(u))du+2\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}}\ln(\sin(v))dv
\\\\
=\pi \ln(2)+\int_{0}^{\pi}\ln(\sin(u))du + \int_{0}^{\pi}\ln(\sin(v))dv
\\\\
=\pi \ln(2)+2\int_{0}^{\pi}\ln(\sin(x))dx\]

Hence

\[ \int_{0}^{\pi}\ln(\sin(x))dx=-\pi \ln(2)\]
 

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