Why can't the trig identity be used to simplify this integral?

  • Thread starter Thread starter djeitnstine
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Integral Trig
djeitnstine
Gold Member
Messages
611
Reaction score
0
For some reason I cannot see why :

\int \sqrt{1+tan^2 \left( \frac{\pi }{4H}} z \right)} dz = \frac{4H}{\pi} sinh^{-1} \left( tan \left[ \frac{\pi z}{4H} \right] \right)

I do not understand so because can't the trig identity 1+tan^2 \theta = sec^2 \theta be used and then the integrand simplifies to:

\int sec \left( \frac{\pi z}{4H}} \right) dz

why can't it be done? This leads to a whole different answer obviously...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
djeitnstine said:
This leads to a whole different answer obviously...

No, it doesn't. I just worked out the proof that the result was the same using either method. I encourage you to do the proof yourself, although personally I could not have done it without converting between trigonometric and exponential expressions a few times. If you want I will post the proof.
 
Last edited:
Wait never mind. I now know why when I plugged in the numbers it came out different...calculator was not in radians:smile::blushing:
 

Similar threads

Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
29
Views
4K
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
3K
Replies
6
Views
2K
Back
Top