Why Does Integrating 2/x Yield Different Results?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around integrating functions, specifically focusing on the integral of 2/x and its comparison to textbook examples. The subject area includes calculus and integration techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the integration of trigonometric functions and the integral of 2/x, with some questioning the differences in results between their calculations and those found in textbooks.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into specific integrals, while others express confusion regarding the results of their calculations compared to textbook examples. There is an ongoing exploration of understanding the integration process and clarifying the discrepancies noted.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the importance of memorizing certain integral formulas and express uncertainty about the interpretation of results from different sources. There is a reference to a potential misunderstanding regarding the notation and properties of logarithms.

ryan8888
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Hi all,

I am trying to work out the following:

cos2(t)sin(t)y' = -cos3(t)y + 1

I've moved put the equation into the standard form and determined that my integrating factor is the integral of cos(t)/sin(t) or the integral of cot(t). This gives me elnsinu +c or sin(t).

I multiple both sides and simplify and I get to this point"

y*sin(t) = Integral of: 1/cos2(t) and I'm having a hard time finding the integral of this function.

Once I solve the integral on the right hand side I'm home free but can't figure it out.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

Ryan
 
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[tex]\int \frac{dt}{cos^2(t)} = \int sec^2(t)dt = tan(t) + C[/tex]

Caveat: I didn't verify the work leading up to your question.
 
This is just what I was looking for. I didn't have that particular integral in my list of variations, do you happen to have a list of some of these less seen integrals of trig functions?

Thanks for all of your help!
 
No, I don't have a list. This is a very common formula that you should have committed to memory. It comes directly from the derivative formulas for the trig functions.

d/dx(sin x) = cos x
d/dx(cos x) = -sin x
d/dx(tan x) = sec2 x
d/dx(sec x) = sec x * tan x
d/dx(cot x) = -csc2 x
d/dx(csc x) = -csc x * cot x

The integrals of each expression on the right is the corresponding expression on the left without the differentiation operator. For example, [itex]\int[/itex] sec x tan x dx = sec x + C, and so on for all the others.
 
Thanks again Mark. I just havn't come across that one to this point! But it is very helpful. I have one more unrelated one for you. I have to integrate 2/x. Now I come up with 2 * ln(x) but in my textbook example it shows the solution as ex2, so the answer would be x2. Am I missing something simple with this integral?


Mark44 said:
No, I don't have a list. This is a very common formula that you should have committed to memory. It comes directly from the derivative formulas for the trig functions.

d/dx(sin x) = cos x
d/dx(cos x) = -sin x
d/dx(tan x) = sec2 x
d/dx(sec x) = sec x * tan x
d/dx(cot x) = -csc2 x
d/dx(csc x) = -csc x * cot x

The integrals of each expression on the right is the corresponding expression on the left without the differentiation operator. For example, [itex]\int[/itex] sec x tan x dx = sec x + C, and so on for all the others.
 
Never mind! I just realized that ln x^r = r ln x!

That answers that question!

Thanks for you help

Ryan
 
ryan8888 said:
Thanks again Mark. I just havn't come across that one to this point! But it is very helpful. I have one more unrelated one for you. I have to integrate 2/x. Now I come up with 2 * ln(x) but in my textbook example it shows the solution as ex2, so the answer would be x2. Am I missing something simple with this integral?
[tex]\int \frac{2}{x} = 2 ln|x| + C[/tex]

If they came up with ex2, I don't have any idea what they did, so you would need to show me the example.
 

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