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

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SUMMARY

The integral \int \sqrt{1+\tan^2 \left( \frac{\pi }{4H} z \right)} dz simplifies to \frac{4H}{\pi} \sinh^{-1} \left( \tan \left[ \frac{\pi z}{4H} \right] \right), and the trigonometric identity 1+\tan^2 \theta = \sec^2 \theta cannot be directly applied to simplify the integrand to \int \sec \left( \frac{\pi z}{4H} \right) dz. The confusion arose from a calculator setting issue, where the user was not in radians, leading to discrepancies in results. The proof that both methods yield the same answer involves converting between trigonometric and exponential expressions.

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djeitnstine
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For some reason I cannot see why :

[tex]\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)[/tex]

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

[tex]\int sec \left( \frac{\pi z}{4H}} \right) dz[/tex]

why can't it be done? This leads to a whole different answer obviously...
 
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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:
 

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