How Do You Integrate ##\int \tan 2x \ dx##?

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    Dx Integral Tan
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of the function ##\tan 2x##, specifically the expression ##\int \tan 2x \ dx##. Participants explore various methods and substitutions for solving this integral, including trigonometric identities and variable substitutions.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express the integral as ##\int \tan 2x \ dx = \int \frac{\sin 2x}{\cos 2x} dx## and proceed with a substitution involving ##u = \sin x##.
  • Others suggest that using ##u = 2x## might simplify the problem, arguing that expanding ##\tan u## into ##\frac{\sin u}{\cos u}## could lead to an easier solution.
  • One participant notes that the substitution of ##u = \sin x## leads to the integral ##\int \frac{2u}{1 - 2u^2} du##, while another later proposes a different substitution involving ##v = 1 - 2u^2##, leading to a logarithmic form.
  • There is a mention of the possibility of easier methods to solve the integral, but no consensus is reached on the best approach.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the most effective method for integrating ##\tan 2x##, with multiple competing approaches presented and no clear resolution on which is superior.

Contextual Notes

Some participants' methods depend on specific substitutions that may not be universally applicable, and the discussion reflects varying levels of complexity in the approaches taken.

askor
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What is ##\int \tan 2x \ dx##?

What I get is

##\int \tan 2x \ dx##
##= \int \frac{\sin 2x}{\cos 2x} dx##
##= \int \frac{2 \sin x \cos x}{1 - 2 \sin^2 x}dx##

let u = sin x then ##\frac{du}{dx} = \cos x## or du = cos x dx

So

##= \int \frac{2 \sin x \cos x}{1 - 2 \sin^2 x}dx##
##= \int \frac{2u}{1 - 2u^2} du##
 
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askor said:
What is ##\int \tan 2x \ dx##?

What I get is

##\int \tan 2x \ dx##
##= \int \frac{\sin 2x}{\cos 2x} dx##
##= \int \frac{2 \sin x \cos x}{1 - 2 \sin^2 x}dx##

let u = sin x then ##\frac{du}{dx} = \cos x## or du = cos x dx

So

##= \int \frac{2 \sin x \cos x}{1 - 2 \sin^2 x}dx##
##= \int \frac{2u}{1 - 2u^2} du##
There may be easier ways to do this, but since you tried it this way, notice that ##2u du= -\frac{1}{2}d(1-2u²)##
 
askor said:
What is ##\int \tan 2x \ dx##?

What I get is

##\int \tan 2x \ dx##
##= \int \frac{\sin 2x}{\cos 2x} dx##
##= \int \frac{2 \sin x \cos x}{1 - 2 \sin^2 x}dx##

let u = sin x then ##\frac{du}{dx} = \cos x## or du = cos x dx

So

##= \int \frac{2 \sin x \cos x}{1 - 2 \sin^2 x}dx##
##= \int \frac{2u}{1 - 2u^2} du##
Rather than saying u = sin x, use u = 2x instead. Just expand tan u into ##\frac{sin\, u}{cos\, u}##.
This integral is much easier to solve.

Expanding sin 2x and cos 2x in terms of sin x and cos x just makes things more complicated.
 
askor said:
What is ##\int \tan 2x \ dx##?

What I get is

##\int \tan 2x \ dx##
##= \int \frac{\sin 2x}{\cos 2x} dx##
##= \int \frac{2 \sin x \cos x}{1 - 2 \sin^2 x}dx##

let u = sin x then ##\frac{du}{dx} = \cos x## or du = cos x dx

So

##= \int \frac{2 \sin x \cos x}{1 - 2 \sin^2 x}dx##
##= \int \frac{2u}{1 - 2u^2} du##
Let ##v= 1- 2u^2## so that ##dv= -4u du##. Then ##(-1/2)dv= 2u du## and the integral becomes ##-\frac{1}{2}\int \frac{dv}{v}##
 

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