TI-89 Integral No More Confusion

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the integral of the function \( \frac{1}{\cos x} \) as computed by the TI-89 calculator, with participants questioning the validity of the output and comparing it to established integral tables and other sources.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that the TI-89 output for the integral \( \int \frac{1}{\cos x} dx \) is incorrect, referencing Wikipedia as a source for comparison.
  • Another participant suggests that the TI-89 might be providing the answer in absolute values, indicating a potential formatting issue.
  • A different participant provides an alternative source for integral tables, claiming that even with absolute values, the TI-89 result is still incorrect.
  • One participant argues that the expression given by the TI-89 is equivalent to \( \tan x + \sec x \), although they do not have a TI-89 to verify this directly.
  • Another participant discusses the uniqueness of indefinite integrals, stating they are unique only up to a constant.
  • A participant shares their manual computation of the integral, arriving at a result that appears to support the TI-89 output, while also suggesting that a trigonometric identity might reconcile the differences with the Wikipedia result.
  • Further mathematical manipulations are presented, showing equivalences between different forms of the integral's result.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correctness of the TI-89 output, with some supporting it and others contesting it. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the validity of the integral's representation.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various sources and integral tables, indicating that the discussion may depend on differing interpretations of integral forms and potential formatting issues with the TI-89.

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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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