Integration of tan(x^2), is it possible?

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In summary, the indefinite integral cannot be found in terms of elementary functions, but it is possible to evaluate it with the help of the McLaurin expansion.
  • #1
Saitama
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This is not a homework problem but something I saw on an another forum. Though the actual problem doesn't require the integral but I am interested to know if it possible to evaluate it.

The indefinite integral cannot be found in terms of elementary functions but is it possible to evaluate:
$$\int_{0}^{\sqrt{\pi}/2} \tan(x^2)dx$$
? (or with different limits?)
I couldn't find anything over the internet and I don't have any idea about the definite integral.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
 
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  • #2
Pranav said:
This is not a homework problem but something I saw on an another forum. Though the actual problem doesn't require the integral but I am interested to know if it possible to evaluate it.

The indefinite integral cannot be found in terms of elementary functions but is it possible to evaluate:
$$\int_{0}^{\sqrt{\pi}/2} \tan(x^2)dx$$
? (or with different limits?)
I couldn't find anything over the internet and I don't have any idea about the definite integral.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

The McLaurin expasion of the function is...

$\displaystyle \tan x^{2} = x^{2} + \frac{1}{3}\ x^{6} + \frac{2}{15}\ x^{10} + ... + \frac{B_{2 n}\ (-4)^{n}\ (1-4^{n})}{(2 n)!}\ x^{2 (2n+1)} + ...\ (1)$

... where the $B_{2 n}$ are the so called 'Bernoulli Numbers'. From (1) You derive...

$\displaystyle \int_{0}^{x} \tan \theta^{2}\ d \theta = \frac{1}{3}\ x^{3} + \frac{1}{21}\ x^{7} + \frac{2} {165}\ x^{11} + ... + \frac{B_{2 n}\ (-4)^{n}\ (1-4^{n})}{\{2 (2 n+1)+ 1 \}\ (2 n)!}\ x^{2 (2n + 1) +1} + ...\ (2)$

For $x= \frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2}$ the (2) should converge fast enough...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$
 
  • #3
chisigma said:
The McLaurin expasion of the function is...

$\displaystyle \tan x^{2} = x^{2} + \frac{1}{3}\ x^{6} + \frac{2}{15}\ x^{10} + ... + \frac{B_{2 n}\ (-4)^{n}\ (1-4^{n})}{(2 n)!}\ x^{2 (2n+1)} + ...\ (1)$

... where the $B_{2 n}$ are the so called 'Bernoulli Numbers'. From (1) You derive...

$\displaystyle \int_{0}^{x} \tan \theta^{2}\ d \theta = \frac{1}{3}\ x^{3} + \frac{1}{21}\ x^{7} + \frac{2} {165}\ x^{11} + ... + \frac{B_{2 n}\ (-4)^{n}\ (1-4^{n})}{\{2 (2 n+1)+ 1 \}\ (2 n)!}\ x^{2 (2n + 1) +1} + ...\ (2)$

For $x= \frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2}$ the (2) should converge fast enough...

Kind regards

$\chi$ $\sigma$

Ah, that is quite above my current level so I have no idea what are those Bernoulli Numbers but anyways, thanks chisigma! :)

I thought there could be a simpler solution to this but it doesn't look so. :P
 

FAQ: Integration of tan(x^2), is it possible?

Can tan(x^2) be integrated?

Yes, it is possible to integrate tan(x^2). However, the integration process can be quite complex and may require the use of advanced mathematical techniques.

What is the general method for integrating tan(x^2)?

The general method for integrating tan(x^2) involves substitution, where the variable u is substituted for x^2. This allows for the use of trigonometric identities and techniques such as integration by parts.

Are there any special cases for integrating tan(x^2)?

Yes, there are a few special cases for integrating tan(x^2). For example, when the limits of integration are from 0 to infinity, the integral can be simplified using the Euler-Maclaurin formula.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when integrating tan(x^2)?

One common mistake when integrating tan(x^2) is forgetting to substitute for the variable u. It is also important to use the correct trigonometric identities and to be careful with signs and constants.

Is there a simpler way to integrate tan(x^2)?

There is no one simple method for integrating tan(x^2), but there are some techniques that can make the process easier. These include using symmetry, partial fractions, and trigonometric substitutions.

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