What is the derivative of the trigonometric integral?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the evaluation of the integral $$\int_{0 }^{\pi/2 } x\sec^2 \left({{x}^{2}}\right)\tan\left({{x}^{2}}\right)\,dx$$, focusing on techniques for integration, including substitution methods and the implications of singularities. Participants explore both definite and indefinite forms of the integral.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest starting with the substitution $$u=x^2$$, leading to the transformation of the integral into a more manageable form.
  • Others note the presence of vertical asymptotes (VAs) in the interval, indicating that the integral is improper and requires careful handling of limits.
  • A participant proposes a method to express the integral in terms of limits around the VA, emphasizing the need to evaluate the behavior of the integral as it approaches the singularity.
  • Another approach is presented where the integral is rewritten using the substitution $$w=\tan(u)$$, leading to a different expression for the integral and its evaluation.
  • Some participants express confusion about the disappearance of the variable $$x$$ after substitution, prompting clarifications about the integration process.
  • One participant concludes that the integral does not converge based on the limits evaluated around the singularity, while others agree with this assessment.
  • A later reply discusses the indefinite integral form and suggests that both the indefinite integral and the evaluated definite integral yield the same integrand upon differentiation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the presence of singularities and the implications for convergence, but multiple competing approaches and interpretations of the integral's evaluation remain. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the best method or the final result.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the need for careful handling of improper integrals and the dependence on the chosen substitution methods, which may lead to different forms of the integral. The discussion also highlights the complexity of evaluating limits around singularities.

karush
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$$\int_{0 }^{\pi/2 } x\sec^2 \left({{x}^{2}}\right)\tan\left({{x}^{2}}\right)\,dx$$
Not sure where to start on this...
Except that

$$\d{}{x}\sec^{2 } \left({x^2 }\right)=\frac{4x\sin\left({{x}^{2}}\right)}{\cos^{3}\left({{x}^{2}}\right)}$$
 
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I would begin with:

$$u=x^2\,\therefore\,du=2x\,dx$$

and continue with:

$$v=\tan(u)\,\therefore\,dv=\sec^2(u)\,du$$

(Don't forget to change the limits in accordance with the substitutions...) :)

edit: Beware of singularities (improper integral)! :o
 
I did notice a VA in the interval, does mean that it's an improper integral

I didn't know how to find where the VA was using limits.
 
Last edited:
Let's make the first substitution I suggested, and we then get:

$$I=\frac{1}{2}\int_0^{\frac{\pi^2}{4}}\tan(u)\sec^2(u)\,du$$

Now, we know that both the tangent and secant functions are undefined when their arguments are $$\frac{\pi}{2}$$, and we know that since:

$$1<\frac{\pi}{2}$$

then:

$$\frac{\pi}{2}<\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right)^2=\frac{\pi^2}{4}$$

And so we must therefore write:

$$I=\frac{1}{2}\left(\lim_{t\to\frac{\pi}{2}^{-}}\left(\int_0^{t}\tan(u)\sec^2(u)\,du\right)+\lim_{t\to\frac{\pi}{2}^{+}}\left(\int_t^{\frac{\pi^2}{4}}\tan(u)\sec^2(u)\,du\right)\right)$$

What do you get when you now apply the second substitution I suggested?
 
Just curious what happened to the x the original given?
 
karush said:
Just curious what happened to the x the original given?

I used the substitution $$u=x^2$$ as given in my first post to rewrite the given definite integral in terms of $u$ instead of $x$. Having $x$ as one of the factors in the integrand made this possible. This way we do not have squared arguments for the trig. functions. :)
 
A different approach:

Starting with

$$\int x\sec^2x^2\tan x^2\,dx$$

make the substitution

$$u=x^2$$.

Then

$$\dfrac12\,du=x\,dx$$

so we have

$$\dfrac12\int\sec^2u\tan u\,du$$.

Make the substitution

$$w=\tan u$$.

Then

$$dw=\sec^2u\,du$$

so we have

$$\dfrac12\int w\,dw=\dfrac{w^2}{4}+C$$.

Back-substitute:

$$\int x\sec^2x^2\tan x^2\,dx=\dfrac{\tan^2x^2}{4}+C$$

For this expression, we have a singularity at $x=\sqrt{\dfrac{\pi}{2}}$

so we look at the left and right-hand limits around this value:

$\lim_{x\to\left(\sqrt{\dfrac{\pi}{2}}\right)^-}\dfrac{\tan^2x^2}{4}=+\infty$ and $\lim_{x\to\left(\sqrt{\dfrac{\pi}{2}}\right)^+}\dfrac{\tan^2x^2}{4}=-\infty$

and we conclude that the integral does not converge.

I believe this is a valid approach.
 
Great help, I would have never gotten that.

the book examples were foggy. Friends no help.

So if you want serious help you come here.

☺☺☺
 
I get the same result as greg1313. Recall, I left it at:

$$I=\frac{1}{2}\left(\lim_{t\to\frac{\pi}{2}^{-}}\left(\int_0^{t}\tan(u)\sec^2(u)\,du\right)+\lim_{t\to\frac{\pi}{2}^{+}}\left(\int_t^{\frac{\pi^2}{4}}\tan(u)\sec^2(u)\,du\right)\right)$$

Making the second substitution, we obtain:

$$I=\frac{1}{2}\left(\lim_{t\to\frac{\pi}{2}^{-}}\left(\int_0^{\tan(t)}v\,dv\right)+\lim_{t\to\frac{\pi}{2}^{+}}\left(\int_{\tan(t)}^{\tan\left(\frac{\pi^2}{4}\right)}v\,dv\right)\right)$$

Applying the FTOC, there results:

$$I=\frac{1}{4}\left(\lim_{t\to\frac{\pi}{2}^{-}}\left(\left[v^2\right]_0^{\tan(t)}\right)+\lim_{t\to\frac{\pi}{2}^{+}}\left(\left[v^2\right]_{\tan(t)}^{\tan\left(\frac{\pi^2}{4}\right)}\right)\right)$$

$$I=\frac{1}{4}\left(\lim_{t\to\frac{\pi}{2}^{-}}\left(\tan^2(t)\right)+\lim_{t\to\frac{\pi}{2}^{+}}\left(\tan^2\left(\frac{\pi^2}{4}\right)-\tan^2(t)\right)\right)$$

Recall that whenever we separate an improper integral into smaller integrals, the improper integral is convergent iff the two parts of the integral are convergent. Thus, as tempting as it may be to "cancel" the resulting infinities, we must reckon that the given integral does not converge.
 
  • #10
To avoid confusion, I'll discuss only the indefinite integral.
Let v = sec u.
$$\int x\sec^2{x^2}\tan{x^2}\,dx=\frac{\sec^2{x^2}}{4}\,+\,C$$
Take the derivative for both this and the tangent squared and we'll arrive with the same integrand.
 

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