What's the best strategy to solving this Integral in 3 minutes?

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    Integral Strategy
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around strategies for solving a specific integral involving the function cos^3(2x). Participants explore different approaches and substitutions to evaluate the integral efficiently, particularly within a time constraint of three minutes.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests separating cos^3(2x) into (cos^2(2x))cos(2x) and then using the substitution u = sin(2x), leading to a transformed integral.
  • The same participant provides the limits of integration based on the substitution, indicating that when x = 0, u = 0 and when x = 4, u = sin(8).
  • Another participant notes that for x = π/4, the upper limit for u becomes 1.
  • A later reply expresses gratitude for the previous contributions, indicating a collaborative atmosphere.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants appear to agree on the substitution method proposed, but there is no consensus on the limits of integration as different values are mentioned.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes varying limits of integration based on different values of x, which may depend on the context of the problem not fully detailed in the thread.

Who May Find This Useful

Students or individuals interested in integral calculus, particularly those looking for strategies to solve integrals quickly under time constraints.

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Please do not double post here, either.

-Dan
 
Separate cos^3(2x) as (cos^2(2x))cos(2x)= (1- sin^2(2x))cos(2x). Now use the substitution u= sin(2x) so that du= 2cos(2x)dx, cos(2x)dx= (1/2)du. When x= 0, u= sin(0)= 0 and when x= 4, u= sin(8). The integral becomes $$\frac{1}{2}\int_0^{sin(8)}(1- u^2)du=\left[u- \frac{u^3}{3}\right]_0^{sin(8)}$$$$= sin(8)- \frac{sin^3(8)}{3}$$.
 
$x = \dfrac{\pi}{4} \implies \text{ upper limit }, u= 1$
 
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Yes, and thank you!
 

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