Solving Integrals with Even Powers of Trigonometric Functions

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the integral of csc^6 x, a problem situated within the context of integral calculus and trigonometric identities.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore various substitutions and identities, such as using sin and cos relationships, and consider different approaches like u-substitution with tan and cot. Some express uncertainty about their progress and seek further guidance.

Discussion Status

Several participants have provided insights and alternative methods for approaching the integral. There is a mix of ideas being explored, with no explicit consensus on the best path forward yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the even power of the csc function as a relevant factor in choosing substitution methods. There is also mention of potential pitfalls in the transformations being attempted.

alba_ei
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Hello I have this integral and I can't solve it


[tex]\int\csc^6 x dx[/tex]


Well i first start with trig identnity [tex]\csc x = \frac{1}{sen x}[/tex] so my first attempt to slove it looks like this

[tex]\int\frac{dx}{(\sin^2 x)^3}[/tex]

then i subsituted with [tex]\sin^2 x = \frac{1 - \cos 2x}{2}[/tex]

and i get

[tex]8\int\frac{dx}{(1-cos 2x)^3}[/tex] and i saw that i was going to

nowhere so i try another way

i took the function and use the trig identity to get this

[tex]\int\csc^6 x dx[/tex] =[tex]\int \frac{\sec^6 x}{\tan^6 x} dx[/tex]

[tex]u = \tan x[/tex] [tex]du = \sec^2 x[/tex]

then

[tex]\int\frac{du^3}{tan^6 x}[/tex]

and i get stucked again. any ideas?
 
Last edited:
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alba_ei said:
i took the function and use the trig identity to get this

[tex]\int\csc^6 x dx[/tex] =[tex]\int \frac{\sec^6 x}{\tan^6 x} dx[/tex]

That looks most promising.

If [tex]u = \tan{x}[/tex], then [tex]du = \sec^2{x}dx[/tex] (Don't forget the dx)

Now, rewrite the integral as

[tex]\int{\frac{\sec^4{x}\sec^2{x}dx}{\tan^6{x}}}[/tex]

Now, think of an identity that relates [tex]\sec{x}[/tex] and [tex]\tan{x}[/tex].
 
Last edited:
Make [itex]\tan x =t[/itex] and then u'll get 3 simple integrals.
 
alba_ei said:
Hello I have this integral and I can't solve it[tex]\int\csc^6 x dx[/tex]
Here's the trick, if the power of csc function is even, you can use the u-substitution u = cot(x).
And if the power of sec function is even, you can use the u-substitution u = tan(x)
So, in your problem, the power of csc function is even, we use the u-substitution: u = cot(x)
du = -csc2(x) dx, so your integral will become:
[tex]\int \csc ^ 6 (x) dx = \int ( \csc ^ 4 (x) \times \csc ^ 2 (x) ) dx = \int {( \csc ^ 2 (x) )} ^ 2 \times \csc ^ 2 (x) dx = \int {\left( 1 + \cot ^ 2 (x) \right)} ^ 2 \times \csc ^ 2 (x) dx[/tex]
[tex]= -\int {(1 + u ^ 2)} ^ 2 du = ...[/tex]
Can you go from here? :)
 

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