What am I doing wrong with this simple integration?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the integration of the function $$\int { { sin }^{ 2 }x{ cos }^{ 2 }xdx }$$. The user initially struggles with the integration process, making errors such as substituting $$x$$ instead of $$2x$$ in their calculations. Ultimately, they correct their mistakes and derive the solution as $$\frac { 2x-sin2x }{ 16 }$$. An alternative approach using the identity $$sin2xcos2x = (1/4)sin22x$$ is suggested for a more efficient solution.

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Homework Statement



$$\int { { sin }^{ 2 }x{ cos }^{ 2 }xdx }$$

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



$$\int { { sin }^{ 2 }x{ cos }^{ 2 }xdx } \\ =\frac { 1 }{ 4 } \int { (1-cos2x)(1+cos2x)dx } \\ =\frac { 1 }{ 4 } \int { -{ cos }^{ 2 }x+1dx } \\ =\frac { x }{ 4 } -\frac { 1 }{ 8 } \int { cos2x+1 } dx\\ =\frac { x }{ 4 } -\frac { 1 }{ 8 } [\frac { sin2x }{ 2 } +x]\\ =\frac { 2x-sin2x }{ 16 }$$

It's incredibly frustrating to do so many stupid mistakes on such simple integration. I can't believe how weak I've gotten at doing integrals after only 4 months...

Edit: never mind. I got it. I put x instead of 2x on line 3. Really dumb mistakes but I keep making them from a result of being so rusty.
 
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Hi Turion! :smile:

Even quicker would have been sin2xcos2x = (1/4)sin22x = … ? :wink:
 
I think the problem is in the difference of two squares
(1-Cos(2x))(1+Cos(2x)) = 1-Cos^{2}(2x)
 

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