with Trig Substitution Integration

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around integration techniques involving trigonometric substitution, specifically focusing on integrals that include tangent and secant functions, as well as a second integral that has been transformed using a triangle method.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the use of u-substitution for the first integral involving tangent and secant, questioning the presence of an additional secant factor. There is also discussion about transforming the second integral using a triangle, leading to a new expression in terms of sine and cosine.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problems, offering hints and suggestions for substitutions. Some have expressed realization of simpler approaches after receiving guidance, while others continue to seek clarity on the second integral.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of difficulties with trigonometric identities and the need for simplification in the context of homework constraints. The discussion reflects varying levels of familiarity with integration techniques among participants.

silverdiesel
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I am not too good with trig identities. I can't seem to figure out how to simplify these trig intergrals. I know I can use a triangle to turn the second problem into a trig integral, but once I have the trig integral, I am lost. Any help would be greatly appriciated.:redface:

[tex]\int\tan(x)\sec^3(x)dx[/tex]
[tex]\int\frac{1}{x^2&\sqrt{16-x^2}}dx[/tex]
 
Last edited:
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Have you tried a u-substitution on the first one yet? Here is a hint what is the derivative of sec?
 
see, that's what I thought, but there seems to be an extra secant in there. The derivative of sec is sectan. So, u=sec(x), du=sec(x)tan(x)dx. That gives tan(x)sec^2(x)... right?
 
HINT: Let

[tex]u = \cos x[/tex]

It will save you a lot of work.
 
[tex]u=sec(x)[/tex] [tex]du=sec(x) tan(x)dx[/tex]

[tex]\int u^2du[/tex]
 
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brilliant! Thanks Tide. I should have seen that.
[tex]\int\frac{sin(x)}{cos^4(x)}dx = \frac{1}{3cos^3(x)}[/tex]
 
right, yes I can see that too Valhalla. Thanks so much. Looks like that one was much easier than I made it.
 
Any ideas on the second problem? Using a triangle, I have changed it to:

[tex]\int\frac{1}{(4sin\Theta)^2(4cos\Theta)}d\Theta[/tex]
 
wait, I think got it, [tex]u=sin\Theta[/tex]
 

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