What Are Some Substitutions That Can Be Used to Solve This Integral?

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    Integals Integral
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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the integral ##\int{\sqrt{\frac{cosx - cos^3x} {1-cos^3x}}}\,dx##, which involves exploring various substitutions and the behavior of the integrand over specific intervals.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss different substitutions, including ##cosx = t## and ##t=\sin^{2/3}s##. There are questions about the existence of the integrand as a real number in certain intervals, and some participants reference the continuity of anti-derivatives despite discontinuities in the original function.

Discussion Status

Multiple substitution methods are being explored, with some participants expressing uncertainty about the integrand's behavior in specific intervals. There is no explicit consensus, but several viable substitution approaches have been suggested.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the integrand does not exist as a real number in the interval ##\left [\pi/2, 3\pi/2\right ] + 2n\pi##, and there are references to the implications of discontinuities in the context of anti-derivatives.

baldbrain
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Homework Statement
Evaluate $$\int{\sqrt{\frac{cosx - cos^3x} {1-cos^3x}}}\,dx$$
Relevant Equations
All the basic Integration formulae
Let I = ##\int{\sqrt{\frac{cosx - cos^3x} {1-cos^3x}}}\,dx##
I = ##\int{\sqrt{\frac{cosx(1 - cos^2x)} {1 - cos^3x}}}\,dx##
I = ##\int{\sqrt{\frac {cosx} {1 - cos^3x }}}sinx\,dx##
Substitute ##cosx = t##
Therefore, ##sinx\,dx = -dt##
So, I = ##\int{-\sqrt{\frac {t} {1 - t^3}}}\,dt##
I'm stuck here...
 
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the integrand does not exist as a real number in ##\left [\pi/2, 3\pi/2\right ] + 2n\pi##
 
Try the substitution ##t=\sin^{2/3}s##.
 
BvU said:
the integrand does not exist as a real number in ##\left [\pi/2, 3\pi/2\right ] + 2n\pi##
My book says if a function is discontinuous (or doesn't exist) at a point, it's not necessary that it's anti-derivative is also discontinuous ( or doesn't exist) at that point. They've given the example of
$$\int x^{-1/3}\,dx$$ Even though the function doesn't exist at x = 0, it's anti-derivative ##\frac {x^{2/3}} {2/3} + c## is continuous at x = 0
 
MathematicalPhysicist said:
Try the substitution ##t=\sin^{2/3}s##.
Yes, that seems to do it. :smile:
##dt=(\frac{-2}{3})(\sin^{-1/3}s)(\cos{s})ds##. Also, ##\sqrt{t} = sin^{1/3}s## & ##\sqrt{1 - t^3} = cos s##
Hence, I = ##\int{\frac{-2}{3}\frac{(sin^{1/3}s)(coss)} {(coss)(sin^{1/3}s)}}\,ds##
I = ##\int{\frac{-2}{3}}\,ds## = ##\frac{-2}{3}s + c##
I = ##\frac{-2}{3}\sin^{-1}{(cos^{3/2}x)} + c##
Thanks
 
Alternatively, the substitution ##\sqrt{1-cos^3x} = t## also works.
That yields
I = ##\frac{2}{3}\sin^{-1}{(\sqrt{1-cos^3x})} + c##
 

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