Trig Integration: Integrating (sinx)^3 * cosx with Respect to x

In summary, to integrate (sinx)^3 * cosx, you can use a u substitution by letting u = cosx. This will give you an integral in terms of u, which can then be solved using the Pythagorean identity and substitution back to x. Alternatively, you can also use u = sinx, which may be simpler in this case.
  • #1
QueenFisher
integrate with respect to x: (sinx)^3 * cosx

i have no idea where to start, can anyone help me? I've looked at differentials of other trig functions but i can't see any that would help :mad:
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #3
what do you mean?
 
  • #4
you want to use a u substitution. Find a value in your expression to be u, and find another one to be du.

~Lyuokdea
 
  • #5
QueenFisher said:
what do you mean?

How would you integrate [tex]\int (x^2+7)^3 \cdot 2x \,dx[/tex] ?
 
  • #6
Use U sub. as indicated before. Let your U = sin(x) . Work it from there
 
  • #7
QueenFisher said:
integrate with respect to x: (sinx)^3 * cosx

i have no idea where to start, can anyone help me? I've looked at differentials of other trig functions but i can't see any that would help :mad:
If your sine function is raised to an odd power, it's commonly to let u = cos x, and work from there.
If your cosine function is raised to an odd power, it's commonly to let u = sin x, and work from there.
If both are raised to an odd power, then you can either let u = sin x, or u = cos x.
Note that, you should sometimes need to use the Pythagorean identity: sin2x + cos2x = 1, to solve your problem.
I'll give you an example:
-----------
Example:
[tex]\int \cos x \sin ^ 2 x dx[/tex]
cos x is raised to the power 1, hence it's an odd power, let u = sin x.
u = sin x => du = cos x dx, right? Substitute that into your integral, we have:
[tex]\int u ^ 2 du = \frac{u ^ 3}{3} + C[/tex]
Change u back to x, gives:
[tex]\int \cos x \sin ^ 2 x dx = \frac{\sin ^ 3 x}{3} + C[/tex]
Can you go from here? :)
 
  • #8
i've never done anything like that before and i don't quite understand it
 
  • #9
Let me see if I can help you. :smile:

~Kitty
 
  • #10
Let me see if I have this correct, you have:

sine of x cubed times cosine of x right?

~Kitty
 
  • #11
Please don't take this as attacking. Have you been exposed to u substitution? I'm assuming you have.

~Kitty
 
  • #12
My process was about the same as VietDao. I'm sorry.

~Kitty
 
  • #13
Too many posts... :\
Dude, if you didn't take this in class, read off this site for help. :}
 
  • #14
misskitty said:
Please don't take this as attacking. Have you been exposed to u substitution? I'm assuming you have.

~Kitty

unfortunately not. but it turns out i didn't have to do it after all - it was off-the-syllabus stuff
 
  • #15
As Viet told take u = cosx.
Then find du/dxand the relation between both to replace du in place of dx in the integration
 
  • #16
Hmm..use of u=sinx is simpler in this case.
 
  • #17
the only u substitution I've used is in differentiation using the chain rule
 

FAQ: Trig Integration: Integrating (sinx)^3 * cosx with Respect to x

What is the general process for integrating (sinx)^3 * cosx with respect to x?

The general process for integrating (sinx)^3 * cosx with respect to x is to use the power-reducing formula for sine and then integrate by parts. This involves rewriting (sinx)^3 as (1-cos^2x)sinx and then using the substitution u=cosx to transform the integral into an integral involving only cosx, which can then be solved using integration by parts.

Can you provide an example of how to integrate (sinx)^3 * cosx with respect to x?

Yes, for example, to integrate (sinx)^3 * cosx, we can use the power-reducing formula to rewrite it as (1-cos^2x)sinx. Then, we substitute u=cosx to get the integral of (1-u^2)du. We can then use integration by parts with u=cosx and dv=du to solve for the integral.

Is there a shortcut or easier way to integrate (sinx)^3 * cosx with respect to x?

Unfortunately, there is no known shortcut or easier way to integrate (sinx)^3 * cosx with respect to x. The power-reducing formula and integration by parts are the most efficient methods for solving this type of integral.

Can you explain the concept of integration by parts and how it applies to (sinx)^3 * cosx with respect to x?

Integration by parts is a method of integration that is used to integrate the product of two functions. It involves using the product rule of differentiation in reverse to transform the integral into a form that is easier to solve. In the case of (sinx)^3 * cosx, we can use the substitution u=cosx to transform the integral into an integral involving only cosx, which can then be solved using integration by parts.

Are there any special cases or exceptions to be aware of when integrating (sinx)^3 * cosx with respect to x?

Yes, one special case to be aware of is when the power of sine is an odd number, such as (sinx)^5 * cosx. In these cases, the power-reducing formula will not work and a different approach, such as using trigonometric identities, may be necessary. It is also important to be cautious of any limits of integration and to check for any discontinuities or singularities in the integrand.

Similar threads

Back
Top