Struggling with an Integral? Here's How to Solve It!

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving an integral involving the function sin(arctan(x)). Participants explore different methods for evaluating this integral, including the use of trigonometric identities and geometric interpretations involving right triangles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using a right triangle to find sin(arctan(x)), questioning the setup and calculations involved. There are attempts to clarify the relationship between the sides of the triangle and the hypotenuse. Other methods, including substitutions, are also mentioned, with some participants expressing concern about the complexity of these approaches.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing guidance on the triangle method and exploring alternative approaches. There is a recognition of the different methods available, although no consensus on the preferred method has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the constraints of homework rules and are encouraged to explore various methods without providing complete solutions. There is an emphasis on understanding the geometric interpretation of trigonometric functions.

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i am stuck on the last part of it?

i added a file the question and the way i tried to solve it
 

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Your problem, then, is sin(arctan(x))? One way to do that is to use trig identities to write sine as a function of tangent. I think it is much easier to go back to their initial definitions. Draw a right triangle having angle [itex]\theta[/itex], "opposite side
" of length x, and "near side" of length 1 so that [itex]tan(\theta)= x/1= x[/itex] and, of course, [itex]\theta = arctan(x)[/itex]. Now use the Pythagorean theorem to find the length of the hypotenuse. What is [itex]sin(x)= "opposite side/hypotenuse"[/itex]
 
i tried to solved it by the triangle method.

can you please show this triangle
i tried to emagine this.


you said one side is 1 the other is x
so the hypotenuse is (1+x^2) ^0.5

its not halping me in finding

sin(arctan(x))

?
 
Last edited:
Yes, if one side is 1, the other x, the the hypotenuse is [itex]\sqrt{1+ x^2}[/itex].
My point was that since you have set it up so that [itex]tan(\theta)= x[/itex], then [itex]\theta= arctan(x)[/itex]. That means [itex]sin(arctan(x))= sin(\theta)[/itex]. Now, what is [itex]sin(\theta)[/itex] in that triangle?
 
i got that
sin(teta)=x/(1+x^2)^0.5


is it correct??


how i solve it in the other method?
 
Last edited:
The other way is ugly. Let x= tan u. Then dx = sec^2 u du. The integral then becomes
[tex]\int \frac{\sin u}{\cos^2 u} du[/tex] where you then let y= cos u.
 
The other way is longer and, if I was marking it and I saw this solution next to the one Halls pointed you to, I would say this solution is more of a mechanical labor task rather than mathematical insight when compared to the other one. But it's always good to know how to do it in more ways than one, so here it is:

First let u= tan x. Then in the resulting integral, let y= cos u. (or if you want to think of it this way, one big substitution of y= cos (tan x) )
 
can i solve all the variation of this type of question
like
sin(arcctg(x))
in the triangle method??
 
Yes! Its wonderful! In that case, the triangle method gives [itex]\frac{1}{\sqrt{1+x^2}}[/itex].
 
  • #10
cool thank you very much
 

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