Integrating squares of sine & cosine

In summary, you can solve the homework equation 4cosx * sin^2 x.dx by substituting sin(x) for cos(x) and solving for x.
  • #1
sg001
134
0

Homework Statement


find ∫4cosx*sin^2 x.dx


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



∫4cos x * 1/2 (1 - cos2x)

∫2cosx - 4cos^2 x.

Then i don't know whereto go from here??
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
your last step how did you reach to 4cos^2 x ?
 
  • #3
sg001 said:

Homework Statement


find ∫4cosx*sin^2 x.dx


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



∫4cos x * 1/2 (1 - cos2x)

∫2cosx - 4cos^2 x.

Then i don't know whereto go from here??

A simple substitution will work in this problem.
 
  • #4
ie,
let u = cos x

∫ 2u - 4u^2

= u^2 -4/3 (u)^3 + C

This still does not lead me anywhere?

Or did you mean a substitution not in terms of 'u' but in terms of another trig result?
I feel lost.
 
  • #5
kushan said:
your last step how did you reach to 4cos^2 x ?

by expanding 4cosx * 1/2(1-cos2x)

= 2cosx - 4cos^2 x
 
  • #6
sg001 said:
ie,
let u = cos x
1. Start from the original integral.
2. That's almost the right substitution, but what is du? You are being very sloppy by omitting the differential, and this is exactly the type of problem where doing that will bite you in the butt.
sg001 said:
∫ 2u - 4u^2

= u^2 -4/3 (u)^3 + C

This still does not lead me anywhere?

Or did you mean a substitution not in terms of 'u' but in terms of another trig result?
I feel lost.
 
Last edited:
  • #7
sg001 said:
ie,
let u = cos x

∫ 2u - 4u^2

= u^2 -4/3 (u)^3 + C

This still does not lead me anywhere?

Or did you mean a substitution not in terms of 'u' but in terms of another trig result?
I feel lost.

Instead:

Let u = sin(x) .
 
  • #8
sg001 said:
by expanding 4cosx * 1/2(1-cos2x)

= 2cosx - 4cos^2 x
No.
cos(x) * cos(2x) [itex]\neq[/itex] cos2(x)
 
  • #9
Hmmm
I think i need to stop rushing through my questions.
Thanks for pointing out the obvious!
 
  • #10
Yea I asked that too
 
  • #11
∫4cosx * u^2 * du/cosx

∫4(u)^2

4/3 (u)^3 + C

= 4/3 (sin x)^3 +C

Better?
 
  • #12
Now you can proceed , easily :)
 
  • #13
sg001 said:
∫4cosx * u^2 * du/cosx

∫4(u)^2

4/3 (u)^3 + C

= 4/3 (sin x)^3 +C

Better?
Yes, better, and that's the right answer, but some of the supporting work could be improved.

∫4cosx * u^2 * du/cosx

=∫4(u)^2 du

=4/3 (u)^3 + C

= 4/3 (sin x)^3 +C

In addition, it's usually better to make the substitution completely so that all the x's and dx's change to u's and du's, like this:

∫4cos(x) * sin2(x)dx [u = sin(x), du = cos(x)dx]
= 4 ∫u2 du
= 4 u3/3 + C
= (4/3) sin3(x) + C
 
  • #14
okie
 

Related to Integrating squares of sine & cosine

1. What is the purpose of integrating squares of sine and cosine?

The purpose of integrating squares of sine and cosine is to solve for the area under the curve of a periodic function. This can be useful in physics and engineering applications, as well as in mathematics to find the average value of a function over a given interval.

2. How do you integrate squares of sine and cosine?

To integrate squares of sine and cosine, you can use the trigonometric identities cos^2(x) = (1+cos(2x))/2 and sin^2(x) = (1-cos(2x))/2. This allows you to rewrite the integral in terms of cos(2x) or sin(2x), making it easier to solve.

3. What is the difference between integrating sine squared and cosine squared?

The main difference between integrating sine squared and cosine squared is the resulting antiderivative. When integrating sine squared, you will get a term with a positive coefficient, while integrating cosine squared will result in a term with a negative coefficient.

4. Can you use u-substitution to integrate squares of sine and cosine?

Yes, u-substitution can be used to integrate squares of sine and cosine. It can be particularly useful when the integral contains both sine squared and cosine squared terms, as it allows you to reduce the power of one of the trigonometric functions.

5. Are there any practical applications for integrating squares of sine and cosine?

Yes, integrating squares of sine and cosine is commonly used in physics and engineering to analyze periodic systems. It can also be used in mathematics to find the average value of a function over a given interval, which can have applications in statistics and data analysis.

Similar threads

Back
Top