Transforming Trigonometric Integrals with Substitution

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the transformation of a specific trigonometric integral using substitution methods. Participants explore various approaches to simplify the integral, including trigonometric and hyperbolic substitutions, while examining the implications of their transformations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the integral $$\int\frac{1}{{t}^{2}\sqrt{1+{t}^{2}}} \ dt$$ and proposes a substitution using $$t=\tan(u)$$.
  • Another participant requests clarification on the results after applying the substitution and simplifying the integral.
  • Subsequent posts involve rewriting the integral in terms of sine and cosine, leading to $$\int\frac{\cos(u)}{\sin^2(u)} \ du$$.
  • A participant introduces a new substitution $$w=\sin(u)$$, transforming the integral into $$\int \frac{dw}{w^2}$$.
  • Discussion includes the application of the power rule to the transformed integral, with participants expressing uncertainty about the back-substitution process.
  • One participant suggests an alternative approach using hyperbolic trigonometric substitution, leading to the integral $$I=-\coth(u)+C$$ and further transformations to relate back to the original variable $$t$$.
  • Another participant notes the importance of maintaining the negative sign in front of the cosecant function during transformations.
  • There is a mention of the identity $$\coth(u)=\sqrt{1+\csch^2(u)}$$ as part of the hyperbolic substitution approach.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants explore multiple methods for solving the integral, including both trigonometric and hyperbolic substitutions. There is no consensus on a single approach, and various viewpoints and transformations are presented without resolution.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about specific steps in the substitution process and the implications of their transformations. The discussion includes various mathematical identities and transformations that may depend on the definitions used.

karush
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mnt{7.3} nmh{2000}
$$\displaystyle
\int\frac{1}{{t}^{2}\sqrt{1+{t}^{2}}} \ dt = \frac{-\sqrt{t^2+1}}{t}+C$$

$\displaystyle t=\tan\left({u}\right)$
$\displaystyle dt=\sec^2(u) \ du $

$$\int\frac{\sec^2\left({u}\right)}
{\tan^2\left({u}\right)sec\left({u}\right)} \ du
\implies\int\frac{\sec\left({u}\right)}{\tan^2\left({u}\right)} \ du $$

Then ??
 
Last edited:
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What did you get after applying the substitution and simplifying?
 
I added more to the OP
Thinking a reply would come after
Sorry
 
$$\int\frac{\sec^2\left({u}\right)}
{\tan^2\left({u}\right)sec\left({u}\right)} \ du
\implies\int\frac{\sec\left({u}\right)}{\tan^2\left({u}\right)} \ du
\implies\int\frac{\cos\left({u}\right)}{\sin^2\left({u}\right)} \ du
$$
 
Last edited:
karush said:
I added more to the OP
Thinking a reply would come after
Sorry

Okay...good...now think of the definitions:

$$\tan(u)\equiv\frac{\sin(u)}{\cos(u)}$$

$$\sec(u)\equiv\frac{1}{\cos(u)}$$

And write everything in terms of sine and cosine in a simple fraction...what do you get?
 
$$ \int\frac{cos\left({u}\right)}{\sin^2\left({u}\right)} \ du
$$

$$w=\sin\left({u}\right) \ \ dw=\cos\left({u}\right) \ du $$

Then

$$\int \frac{dw}{{w}^{2}}$$

Well ?
 
What you actually now have is:

$$I=\int w^{-2}\,dw$$

Use the power rule, then back-substitute for $w$, and then for $u$...:)
 
$$I=\int w^{-2}\,dw=\frac{1}{w}+C $$

$w=\sin\left({u}\right)$
So
$\frac{1}{\sin\left({u}\right)}+C$
Or
$\sec(u)+C$

Wait I'm lost...
 
You would have:

$$I=-w^{-1}+C=-\csc(u)+C=-\csc(\arctan(t))+C=...$$?
 
  • #10
Well I think then that
$$\csc(u)=-\sqrt{1+{t}^{2}}/t $$
So
$$ I=-\frac{\sqrt{1+{t}^{2}}} {t}+C $$
The substitutions of $u$ and $w$ kinda ###
 
Last edited:
  • #11
Don't forget the negative sign in front of the cosecant function. :D
 
  • #12
We could also approach this integral using a hyperbolic trig. substitution...we are given:

$$I=\int \frac{1}{t^2\sqrt{t^2+1}}\,dt$$

Observing that we have:

$$\cosh^2(u)=\sinh^2(u)+1$$

We could then let:

$$t=\sinh(u)\,\therefore\,dt=\cosh(u)\,du$$

And we get:

$$I=\int \frac{1}{\sinh^2(u)\sqrt{\sinh^2(u)+1}}\,\cosh(u)\,du=\int \csch^2(u)\,du$$

Using the fact that:

$$\frac{d}{du}(-\coth(u))=\csch^2(u)$$

We now have:

$$I=-\coth(u)+C$$

Now, using the identity:

$$\coth(u)=\sqrt{1+\csch^2(u)}$$

We then may write:

$$I=-\sqrt{1+t^{-2}}+C=-\frac{\sqrt{t^2+1}}{t}+C$$
 
  • #13
$$-\sqrt{1+t^{-2}}=-\dfrac{\sqrt{1+t^2}}{|t\,|}$$
 

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