What is the solution for this integral?

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The integral discussed is ∫(sin x cos x) / (sin^4 x + x cos^4 x) dx, which poses significant challenges for computation. Attempts to solve it through substitution led to confusion, particularly regarding the presence of 'x' in the denominator. Users noted that without the 'x', the integral simplifies considerably, yielding a solvable form. Both Maple and Mathematica struggled with the original integral, producing differing results for the simplified version. Ultimately, integrals involving 'x' and transcendental functions are rarely expressible in terms of common special functions.
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Hi,

I've been having troubles solving this integral:

<br /> \int \frac{\sin x.\cos x}{\sin^4 x + x.\cos^4 x} dx<br />

Here's how I tried it:

<br /> t = \cos x <br />

<br /> dt = - \sin x dx<br />

<br /> dx = \frac{dt}{-\sin x}<br />

<br /> x = \arccos t<br />

<br /> dx = -\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-t^2}} dt<br />

<br /> -\frac{1}{\sin x} = -\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-t^2}}<br />

<br /> \sin x = \sqrt{1-t^2}<br />

<br /> \int \frac{\sin x.\cos x}{\sin^4 x + x.\cos^4 x} dx = - \int \frac{\cos x}{\sin^4 x + x.\cos^4 x} . \left( -\sin x \right) dx = - \int \frac{t}{\left(1-t^2\right)^2 + t^4.\arccos t} dt<br />

Well, I don't know at all what to do with this now...

Does anybody have any idea?

PS: Why doesn't it insert newline, when I write "\\" in the LaTeX code?
 
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in the cos^4 x in the denominator how did you manage to sibstitute arcSin t into it
you know cos x dx = dt but cos^4 x is NOT arccos t

be careful of your substitutions!
 
Is this your integral?

\int \frac{\sin x\cos x}{\sin^{4}x+x\cos^{4}x} \ dx...?

If so,then i got good news and bad news

Bad:Maple & Mathematica can't crack it.
Good:You can forget about it.


Daniel.
 
stunner5000pt said:
in the cos^4 x in the denominator how did you manage to sibstitute arcSin t into it
you know cos x dx = dt but cos^4 x is NOT arccos t

be careful of your substitutions!

I have no \arcsin x nor \cos x dx = dt there and I'm quite sure about the substitutions..
 
dextercioby said:
Is this your integral?

\int \frac{\sin x\cos x}{\sin^{4}x+x\cos^{4}x} \ dx...?

If so,then i got good news and bad news

Bad:Maple & Mathematica can't crack it.
Good:You can forget about it.

Daniel.

I know, I tried Maple and Mathematica too..So I have some doubts about whether the x in the denominator should be there..Anyway, if I ever met such an integral (with variables outside trigonometric functions), is there any way to solve it?
 
Very good,but that still doesn't help.

Daniel.
 
If it isn't there,the integral is easy.But in general this type of integrals involving "x" & transcendental functions are very seldom expressible in terms of "common" special functions.

Daniel.
 
dextercioby said:
Very good,but that still doesn't help.

Daniel.

What did you reply with this to? :smile:
 
if there were no x in the denominator then it could be solved, it doesn't look as stubborn as the other integral

then \int \frac{\sin x\cos x}{\sin^{4}x+\cos^{4}x} \ dx = - \frac{1}{2} ArcTan (Cos(2x)) + C
 
  • #10
dextercioby said:
If it isn't there,the integral is easy.But in general this type of integrals involving "x" & transcendental functions are very seldom expressible in terms of "common" special functions.

Daniel.

Yes, I tried it without the 'x' and it is easy. (BTW: Maple and Mathematica give different results. I got the Mathematica's one :smile: )
 
  • #11
stunner5000pt said:
if there were no x in the denominator then it could be solved, it doesn't look as stubborn as the other integral

then \int \frac{\sin x\cos x}{\sin^{4}x+\cos^{4}x} \ dx = - \frac{1}{2} ArcTan (Cos(2x)) + C

Yes, that's the one I got too. Maple gives the same excepting the sign :)
 
  • #12
Nope,Maple gives the same answer

-\frac{1}{2} \arctan\left(\cos 2x\right) +C

Daniel.
 
  • #13
dextercioby said:
Nope,Maple gives the same answer

-\frac{1}{2} \arctan\left(\cos 2x\right) +C

Daniel.

int( (sin(x)*cos(x)) / ( (sin(x))^4 + (cos(x))^4 ),x); [ENTER]
<br /> 1/2\,\arctan \left( -1+2\, \left( \cos \left( x \right) \right) ^{2}<br /> \right)<br />
 
  • #14
My Maple is integrated in an ancient version of SWP.I guess it's less than 5.0 (i think,not too sure,though).So that's why it may be different from your answer.

I think your Maple is screwed up :-p

Daniel.
 
  • #15
Nope,the sign in the front of arctan is crucial.They're not the same function.

Daniel.
 
  • #16
dextercioby said:
My Maple is integrated in an ancient version of SWP.I guess it's less than 5.0 (i think,not too sure,though).So that's why it may be different from your answer.

I think your Maple is screwed up :-p

Daniel.

I have Maple 9.01 ;) Strange.
 
  • #17
haha, I just noticed the negative sign there and deleted my post :/

Didn't see it there before
 
  • #18
hmmmmmm

I have Maple 9.52 and it gives me the correct answer (with the minus sign)
 
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