Use trigonometric substitution to verify

celeramo
Messages
9
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Using trigonometric substitution, verify that
\int \sqrt{a^2[-t^2}dt (INTEGRAL FROM 0 TO \pi)=(1/2)a^2sin^{-1}(x/a)+(1/2)x\sqrt{a^2-x^2

Sorry it doesn't seem to want to allow me to place superscript inside a square root. but inside the first sq. root is a2-t2 and the second sq. root contains a2-x2



Homework Equations



\sqrt{a^2-x^2}

x=asin(\theta)

-(\pi/2) \leq \theta \leq (\pi/2)

The Attempt at a Solution



replacing x with asin\theta in the original integral
\int\sqrt{a^2-(asin^2\theta}dt
multiply and factor out. Change 1-sin^2\theta to cos^2\theta
replace dt with dt=(-a)cos\theta d\theta because t=asin\theta
End up with
\int (a)(cos\theta)(-a)(cos\theta)d\theta
Combine and get
-\int a2cos2\theta d\theta

At this point I considered pulling the a2 out in front since, unless I'm confused, it represents a constant and changing cos2\theta to 1-sin2\theta but that hasn't seemed to get me any close. Any help would be much appreciated or if I've made a mistake already identifying that for me would be excellent. Please and thank you all.
:)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
No, changing cos^2(theta) to sin^2(theta) doesn't help much. But using a double angle formula does. Change it to (1+cos(2*theta))/2
 
Thanks a lot.
 
Back
Top