Solving Integral (sec^3 X) Quickly

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The integral of sec^3 x can be solved using integration by parts, resulting in the formula I = (1/2)[sec x tan x + ln|tan x + sec x|] + C. The discussion highlights the importance of trigonometric identities, specifically using tan^2 x = sec^2 x - 1 to simplify the integral. Participants share useful online resources for calculating integrals and derivatives, emphasizing the complexity of antiderivatives compared to derivatives. Links to websites like Wolfram and Calc101 are provided for further assistance. The conversation underscores the collaborative nature of solving calculus problems online.
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Hey, i know this is an easy problem, but i don't have any of my older calc books with the identities, so, just hoping for a quick answer

integral(sec^3 X)

thanks... i just need that for a more difficult problem... so i don't want to spend a lot on this simple integral, thanks.
 
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let I = \int sec^3xdx

and let

u = secx \ \ \Rightarrow \ \ du = secxtanxdx

dv = sec^2x \ \ \Rightarrow \ \ v = tanx

using integration by parts we have

I = uv - \int vdu

\Rightarrow \ \ I = secxtanx - \int secxtan^2xdx

using the trigonometric identity tan^2 = sec^2 -1 the integral on the right side becomes
I = secxtanx - \int[secx(sec^2x - 1)]dx

\Rightarrow I = secxtanx - \int sec^3xdx + \int secxdx

\Rightarrow I = secxtanx - I + ln|tanx + secx|

\Rightarrow 2I = secxtanx + ln|tanx + secx|

\Rightarrow I = \frac{1}{2}[ \ secxtanx + ln|tanx + secx| \ ] + C
 
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Derivatives are easy for all products, quotients, powers, compositions, and sums of elementary functions... antiderivatives are much more difficult.
 
tony873004 said:
That's a great link :cool:

Is there one that does derivatives?
YES ... Integrals, Derivatives, Graphing, and Matrices ... GO TO:
-----> http://www.calc101.com/
Select from list upper right corner home page. Remember to enter functions with SQUARE BRACKETS "[]", like "sin[x]", and group with PARENTHESES "()", like:
"(x + 3*exp[5*x])*(x*sin[x])^3"



~~
 
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