Trig substitution help (easy one )

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving the integral \(\int_{0}^{5} \frac{dt}{(25 + t^2)^2}\) using trigonometric substitution. The correct substitution involves letting \(t = 5\tan{\theta}\) and \(dt = 5\sec^2{\theta} d\theta\), transforming the integral into a manageable form. The participants clarify that the integral simplifies to \(\frac{1}{125}\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{4}} \cos^2 \theta \ d\theta\), and they emphasize using the power-reducing formula for \(\cos^2 \theta\) to find the final answer. The discussion also highlights discrepancies between manual calculations and results from a TI-89 graphing calculator.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of trigonometric identities, specifically the double angle formula for cosine.
  • Familiarity with integration techniques, particularly trigonometric substitution.
  • Knowledge of power-reducing formulas for trigonometric functions.
  • Experience with integral calculus, including definite integrals.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of trigonometric substitution in integrals, focusing on the form \(\int \frac{dx}{a^2 + x^2}\).
  • Learn about the power-reducing formulas for trigonometric functions, especially \(\cos^2 \theta\).
  • Practice solving integrals using a TI-89 graphing calculator to compare results with manual calculations.
  • Explore common mistakes in trigonometric integrals and how to avoid them.
USEFUL FOR

Students and educators in calculus, particularly those focusing on integration techniques, as well as anyone seeking to improve their understanding of trigonometric substitutions in integral calculus.

RadiationX
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Use trig substitution to find \int_{0}^{5} \frac{dt}{25 + x^2}dt

I can solve it to here \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{4}}\frac{25sec^2\theta}{(25 + tan^2\theta)^2}

and from this point i can factor the denominator into {625(1+ \tan^2\theta)}^2

which becomes 625\sec^4\theta

now i have the integral \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{4}}\frac{25sec^2\theta}{625\sec^4\theta}

this now reduces to \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{4}}\frac{cos^2\theta}{25}

and at this point i can use a power reducing formula to get rid of the \cos^2\theta

assuming that the last integral is correct and that i use the power reducing formula to reduce \cos^2\theta correctly, what am i doing wrong?
i have a TI-89 graphing calculator, and when i integrat this problem on it i get a different answer than when i do it by hand. where is my mistake?




this post is incorrect look further down for the correction.
i'm really sorry about this.
 
Last edited:
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You can use the double angle formula for cos 2x to get rid of cos^2 x. cos 2x = 2cos^2 x - 1.
 
As the integral stands now, you could use another formula to find the answer, but in order to put the integral into a form where you can use a trig substution you have to play around with it:

25 + t^2 = (\sqrt{25 + t^2})^2

So the integral becomes:

\int_{0}^{5}\frac{dt}{(\sqrt{25 + t^2})^2}

Make the substutions:
t = 5 \tan{\theta}
dt = 5 \sec^2{\theta} d\theta

and work it from there. :)
 
Last edited:
This is actually a standard integral. Anyways, you seem to have made a few errors. Here we want

\int_0^5 \frac{dt}{25 + t^2}

let t = 5\tan{\theta} \Longrightarrow dt = 5 \sec^2{\theta} and note that t=5 \Longrightarrow 5 = 5\tan{\theta} \Longrightarrow \theta = \pi / 4. Thus we just have

\int_0^{\frac{\pi}{4}} \frac{5\sec^2 \theta}{25 + (5 \tan \theta)^2} \ d\theta

= \frac{1}{5}\int_0^{\frac{\pi}{4}} \frac{\sec^2 \theta}{1 + \tan^2 \theta} \ d\theta

now, review your trig identities and see if you can find an easy way to do this :smile:

The standard integral is

\int \frac{dx}{a^2+x^2} = \frac{1}{a}\arctan\left(\frac{x}{a}\right) \ + \ C,

by the way.
 
Last edited:
RadiationX said:
Use trig substitution to find \int_{0}^{5} \frac{dt}{25 + x^2}dt

I can solve it to here \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{4}}\frac{25sec^2\theta}{(25 + tan^2\theta)^2}

and from this point i can factor the denominator into {625(1+ \tan^2\theta)}^2

which becomes 625\sec^4\theta

now i have the integral \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{4}}\frac{25sec^2\theta}{625\sec^4\theta}

this now reduces to \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{4}}\frac{cos^2\theta}{25}

and at this point i can use a power reducing formula to get rid of the \cos^2\theta

assuming that the last integral is correct and that i use the power reducing formula to reduce \cos^2\theta correctly, what am i doing wrong?
i have a TI-89 graphing calculator, and when i integrat this problem on it i get a different answer than when i do it by hand. where is my mistake?






I made a huge mistake in my original post! the first integral is

\int_{0}^{5} \frac{dt}{(25 + x^2)^2}dt

and what follows is what i get. I'm really sorry about posting this problem incorrectly.
 
i'm putting this back to the top because i screwed it up the first time.
 
No problem :smile:

Anyways, in that case your work is almost right. We want

\int_0^5 \frac{dx}{(25+x^2)^2}

substitute x = 5\tan \theta \Longrightarrow dx = 5\sec^2 \theta \ d\theta and so x=5 \Longrightarrow \theta = \pi / 4. Thus our integral is the same as

\int_0^{\frac{\pi}{4}} \frac{5\sec^2 \theta}{(25 + 25\tan^2 \theta)^2} \ d\theta

= \frac{1}{125}\int_0^{\frac{\pi}{4}} \frac{\sec^2 \theta}{\sec^4 \theta} \ d\theta

= \frac{1}{125}\int_0^{\frac{\pi}{4}} \cos^2 \theta \ d\theta
 
Data said:
No problem :smile:

Anyways, in that case your work is almost right. We want

\int_0^5 \frac{dx}{(25+x^2)^2}

substitute x = 5\tan \theta \Longrightarrow dx = 5\sec^2 \theta \ d\theta and so x=5 \Longrightarrow \theta = \pi / 4. Thus our integral is the same as

\int_0^{\frac{\pi}{4}} \frac{5\sec^2 \theta}{(25 + 25\tan^2 \theta)^2} \ d\theta

= \frac{1}{125}\int_0^{\frac{\pi}{4}} \frac{\sec^2 \theta}{\sec^4 \theta} \ d\theta

= \frac{1}{125}\int_0^{\frac{\pi}{4}} \cos^2 \theta \ d\theta

i worked this down to exactly the same thing that you did but when i use my
TI-89 graphing calculator to integrate this i get a different answer than what i get by hand.
 
\frac{1}{125}\int_0^{\frac{\pi}{4}} \cos^2 \theta d\theta

= \frac{1}{125} \int_0^{\frac{\pi}{4}} \frac{1}{2} \left(1 + \cos (2\theta)) \ d\theta

= \frac{1}{250}\left[\theta + \frac{\sin (2\theta)}{2} \right]_0^{\frac{\pi}{4}}

= \frac{1}{250}\left(\frac{\pi}{4} + \frac{1}{2}\right).
 
  • #10
now i see my mistake. thankyou Data
 

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