Calculators TI-89 Integral No More Confusion

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the TI-89 calculator's output for the integral of 1/cos(x), which is questioned for its accuracy. The TI-89 provides an answer that some users initially deem incorrect, referencing Wikipedia for comparison. However, further analysis reveals that the TI-89's result is indeed valid when manipulated correctly, as it can be shown to be equivalent to tan(x) + sec(x) through trigonometric identities. The conversation highlights the importance of verifying integral results and acknowledges that indefinite integrals can differ by a constant. Ultimately, the TI-89's answer aligns with the correct mathematical interpretation, demonstrating the need for careful consideration when comparing different sources of integral tables.
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[SOLVED] TI-89 integral

Homework Statement


My TI-89 says that
\int \frac{1}{\cos x} dx = \ln \left(\frac{-\cos(x)}{\sin(x)-1}\right)
which is just wrong isn't it??!
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_integrals

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution

 
Last edited:
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don't trust wiki

mine is giving me the same answer, but in absolute values... maybe your in a different format? Also, wikipedia can be edited by anyone so you probably shouldn't trust it for most things
 
OK. Here is a better source https://www.math.lsu.edu/~adkins/m2065/IntegralTable.pdf. Even with absolute values the result is still clearly wrong as you can see from number 8 at the link. Wikipedia had the same result therefore I trust Wikipedia more than Texas Instruments :)

EDIT: maybe it is not wrong; but then how do you manipulate the TI-89 answer to get the integral table answer?
 
It is correct as the expression in the brackets is equivalent to tanx+secx. But I don't have a TI-89 so I can't really help you. But why do you want it to show it in the way the integral table has it?
 
well... i know that cos(x)/sin(x)= cot(x) and cot(x)-1= (cos(x)-sin(x))/sin(x)

so.. i don't know they probably go together somehow
 
Indefinite integrals of a function are unique only up to a constant.
 
Well, I, not having a TI89 calculator at hand, would have to do the integral by hand (Poor me!).

\int \frac{1}{cos x}dx= \int \frac{cos x}{cos^2 x} dx= \int \frac{cos x}{1- sin^2x}dx
Letting u= sin(x), du= dx, the integral becomes
\int \frac{du}{1- u^2}= \frac{1}{2}\int \frac{du}{1-u}+ \frac{1}{2}\int \frac{du}{1+u}
by partial fractions. Integrating each of those, I get
\frac{1}{2}ln(1-u)}+ \frac{1}{2}ln(1+u)}= ln\left(\sqrt{\frac{1+u}{1- u}}\right)+ C
= ln\left(\sqrt{\frac{1+ sin(x)}{1- sin(x)}}\right)+ C
Multiplying both numerator and denominator of the fraction by 1- sin(x),
= ln\left(\sqrt\frac{1-sin^2(x)}{1+sin(x)^2}}\right)+ C= ln\left(\sqrt{\frac{cos^2(x)}{(1- sin2(x))^2}}\right)+ C[/itex]<br /> = ln\left(\frac{cos(x)}{1- sin(x)}\right)+ C<br /> <br /> Yes, it looks like the TI89 is right!<br /> <br /> As far as the Wikipedia result is concerned, I suspect a trig identity would give the same thing but I will let someone else show that.
 
\tan x + \sec x = \frac{\sin x}{\cos x} + \frac{1}{\cos x} = \frac{1+ \sin x}{\cos x}

\frac{\cos x}{1-\sin x} = \frac{\cos x (1+ \sin x)}{1-\sin^2 x} = \frac{\cos x(1+ \sin x)}{\cos^2 x} = \frac{1+\sin x}{\cos x}.
 

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