Is this Tricky Definite Integral Solvable?

In summary: You could guess that the integral is an even function of x, so you only need to integrate from 0 to pi/2. Then you might notice that the integrand is an odd function of x, so the integral over [0, pi/2] is zero.
  • #1
pierce15
315
2
1. The problem, the whole problem, and nothing but the problem

[tex] \int_0^\pi \frac{x \cdot sin(x)}{1+cos^2(x)} \, dx [/tex]

Homework Equations



Integration by parts
trig substitution

The Attempt at a Solution



My first idea was to break up the integral by letting [itex]u=x[/itex] and [itex]dv=sin(x)/(1+cos^2 x)[/itex]. I will omit the work, but it got me here:

[tex] \int_0^\pi \frac{x \cdot sin(x)}{1+cos^2(x)} \, dx = (x \cdot tan^{-1} (cos(x)) \big|_0^\pi - \int_0^\pi tan^{-1}(cos(x)) \, dx [/tex]

I am fairly sure that I arrived at the second integral correctly. Is it integrateable, if that's a word?
 
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  • #2
piercebeatz said:
1. The problem, the whole problem, and nothing but the problem

[tex] \int_0^\pi \frac{x \cdot sin(x)}{1+cos^2(x)} \, dx [/tex]

Homework Equations



Integration by parts
trig substitution

The Attempt at a Solution



My first idea was to break up the integral by letting [inline]u=x[/inline] and [inline]dv=sin(x)/(1+cos^2 x)[/inline]. I will omit the work, but it got me here:

[tex] \int_0^\pi \frac{x \cdot sin(x)}{1+cos^2(x)} \, dx = (x \cdot tan^{-1} (cos(x)) \big|_0^\pi - \int_0^\pi tan^{-1}(cos(x)) \, dx [/tex]

I am fairly sure that I arrived at the second integral correctly. Is it integrateable, if that's a word?

Also, what is the inline command? I forget it every time I go on this sight.

[itex] works for inline. For the integral, it is a trick. Try substituting u=pi-x. Finding an indefinite integral is really pretty hopeless.
 
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  • #3
[tex]- \int_0^\pi tan^{-1} cos(x) \, dx [/tex]
[tex] u= \pi-x, du=- dx [/tex]
[tex] \int_\pi^0 tan^{-1} cos(\pi-u) \, du [/tex]
[tex] - \int_0^\pi tan^{-1}(cos(\pi)cos(u) + sin(\pi)sin(u)) \, du [/tex]
[tex] - \int_0^\pi tan^{-1}(-cos(u)) \, du [/tex]
[tex] \int_0^\pi tan^{-1}cos(u) \, du [/tex]

Hmm... does that mean that since the top equation is equal to the bottom, and they are negatives, the integral must be 0?
 
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  • #4
piercebeatz said:
[tex]- \int_0^\pi tan^{-1} cos(x) \, dx [/tex]
[tex] u= \pi-x, du=-x \, dx [/tex]
[tex] \int_\pi^0 tan^{-1} sin(u) \, du [/tex]
[tex] -\int_0^\pi tan^{-1} sin(u) \, du [/tex]

OK, what now? Maybe:

[tex] \int_0^\pi tan^{-1} sin(u) \, du = \int_0^\pi tan^{-1} cos(x) \, dx [/tex]

Is that what you had in mind?

I meant you to use that substitution in the original integral. You should get the original integral back with a different sign plus something you can integrate. Equate it to the original integral.
 
  • #5
[tex] \int_0^\pi \frac{x \cdot sin(x)}{1+cos^2x} \, dx [/tex]
[tex] u=\pi-x, du=-1 [/tex]
[tex] - \int_\pi^0 \frac{(\pi-u)(sin(\pi-u))}{1+cos^2(\pi-u)} \, du [/tex]
[tex] \int_0^\pi \frac{(\pi-u)(-sin(u))}{1+ cos^2(\pi-u)} \, du[/tex]
[tex] -\int_0^\pi \frac{sin(u)(\pi-u)}{1+ cos^2(\pi-u)} \, du [/tex]
[tex] -\int_0^\pi \frac{sin(u)(\pi-u)}{1+ (-cos(u))^2} \, du [/tex]
[tex] -\int_0^\pi \frac{sin(u)(\pi-u)}{1+ cos^2u} \, du [/tex]
[tex] -\pi \int_0^\pi \frac{sin(u)}{1+ cos^2u} \, du + \int_0^\pi \frac{u \cdot sin(u)}{1+ cos^2u} [/tex]
[tex] v=cos(u), dv=-sin(u) \, du[/tex]
[tex] \pi \int_1^{-1} \frac{dv}{1+v^2} + \int_0^\pi \frac{u \cdot sin(u)}{1+ cos^2u} [/tex]
Going back to the beginning:

[tex] \int_0^\pi \frac{x \cdot sin(x)}{1+cos^2x} \, dx = -\pi \int_{-1}^1 \frac{dv}{1+v^2} + \int_0^\pi \frac{u \cdot sin(u)}{1+ cos^2u} [/tex]

[tex]0=\int_{-1}^1 \frac{dv}{1+v^2} [/tex]

Am I on the right track?
 
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  • #6
piercebeatz said:
[tex] \int_0^\pi \frac{x \cdot sin(x)}{1+cos^2x} \, dx [/tex]
[tex] u=\pi-x, du=-1 [/tex]
[tex] - \int_\pi^0 \frac{(\pi-u)(sin(\pi-u))}{1+cos^2(\pi-u)} \, du [/tex]
[tex] \int_0^\pi \frac{(\pi-u)(-sin(u))}{1+ cos^2(\pi-u)} \, du[/tex]
[tex] -\int_0^\pi \frac{sin(u)(\pi-u)}{1+ cos^2(\pi-u)} \, du [/tex]
[tex] -\int_0^\pi \frac{sin(u)(\pi-u)}{1+ (-cos(u))^2} \, du [/tex]
[tex] -\int_0^\pi \frac{sin(u)(\pi-u)}{1+ cos^2u} \, du [/tex]

What now?

First fix an error. sin(pi-u)=sin(u). Then break it into two integrals.
 
  • #7
[tex] \int_0^\pi \frac{x \cdot sin(x)}{1+cos^2x} \, dx [/tex]
[tex] u=\pi-x, du=-1 [/tex]
[tex] - \int_\pi^0 \frac{(\pi-u)(sin(\pi-u))}{1+cos^2(\pi-u)} \, du [/tex]
[tex] \int_0^\pi \frac{(\pi-u)(sin(u))}{1+ cos^2(\pi-u)} \, du[/tex]
[tex] \int_0^\pi \frac{sin(u)(\pi-u)}{1+ cos^2(\pi-u)} \, du [/tex]
[tex] \int_0^\pi \frac{sin(u)(\pi-u)}{1+ (-cos(u))^2} \, du [/tex]
[tex] \int_0^\pi \frac{sin(u)(\pi-u)}{1+ cos^2u} \, du [/tex]
[tex] \pi \int_0^\pi \frac{sin(u)}{1+ cos^2u} \, du - \int_0^\pi \frac{u \cdot sin(u)}{1+ cos^2u} [/tex]
[tex] v=cos(u), dv=-sin(u) \, du[/tex]
[tex] \pi \int_1^{-1} \frac{dv}{1+v^2} - \int_0^\pi \frac{u \cdot sin(u)}{1+ cos^2u} \, du [/tex]

Is the following OK:

[tex] I = \int_0^\pi \frac{x \cdot sin(x)}{1+cos^2x} \, dx = \pi \int_{-1}^1 \frac{dv}{1+v^2} - \int_0^\pi \frac{u \cdot sin(u)}{1+ cos^2u} [/tex]

[tex]2I = \pi \int_{-1}^1 \frac{dv}{1+v^2} [/tex]

If so, how can I evaluate this integral?
 
  • #8
piercebeatz said:
Am I on the right track?

You know, having to constantly go back and check whether you have reedited a past post really sucks. Use preview to see whether you have what you want, then just LEAVE IT. If you change your mind, just post the correction. Don't go back and change the past. And yes, your result is fine.
 
  • #9
Dick said:
You know, having to constantly go back and check whether you have reedited a past post really sucks. Use preview to see whether you have what you want, then just LEAVE IT. If you change your mind, just post the correct. Don't go back and change the past.

Sorry
 
  • #10
piercebeatz said:
Sorry

S'ok. Just advice for the future. But you got the right answer.
 
  • #11
Dick said:
S'ok. Just advice for the future. But you got the right answer.

So the answer is just 0?
 
  • #12
piercebeatz said:
If so, how can I evaluate this integral?

It's an arctan, isn't it? Why do you think it's zero?
 
  • #13
piercebeatz said:
[tex]2I = \pi \int_{-1}^1 \frac{dv}{1+v^2} [/tex]

If so, how can I evaluate this integral?

Now I forgot to quote the integral. Doesn't look like zero to me.
 
  • #14
Dick said:
It's an arctan, isn't it? Why do you think it's zero?

Oh, right. I'm pretty tired right now. Just did out the trig substitution and verified that it's 0. How did you know to make the substitution u=pi-x?
 
  • #15
[itex] 1/(1+v^2)[/itex] is also an even function which is probably enough to show that the answer is 0, considering that the upper limit is equal to the lower limit
 
  • #16
piercebeatz said:
Oh, right. I'm pretty tired right now. Just did out the trig substitution and verified that it's 0. How did you know to make the substitution u=pi-x?

Tired, ok. But it's NOT zero. Check it in the morning if that works better. I guessed to do the substitution because I've seen problems like this before. Just experience.
 
  • #17
piercebeatz said:
[itex] 1/(1+v^2)[/itex] is also an even function which is probably enough to show that the answer is 0, considering that the upper limit is equal to the lower limit

Wrong. Get some sleep if you need to.
 
  • #18
Dick said:
Tired, ok. But it's NOT zero. Check it in the morning if that works better. I guessed to do the substitution because I've seen problems like this before. Just experience.

[tex] \int_{-1}^1 \frac{dv}{v^2+1} [/tex]
[tex] v= tan\theta, dv=sec^2\theta d\theta [/tex]
[tex] \int_{-\pi/4}^{\pi/4} \frac{sec^2 \theta}{sec^2 \theta} d\theta [/tex]
[tex] \int_{-\pi/4}^{\pi/4} \theta d\theta [/tex]
[tex] \frac{\theta^2}{2} \big|_{-\pi/4}^{\pi/4} [/tex]
[tex] (\pi/4)^2/2 - (-\pi/4)^2/2 [/tex]

Alright, I see that I'm wrong by looking at the graph. What's the problem here?
 
  • #19
piercebeatz said:
[tex] \int_{-1}^1 \frac{dv}{v^2+1} [/tex]
[tex] v= tan\theta, dv=sec^2\theta d\theta [/tex]
[tex] \int_{-\pi/4}^{\pi/4} \frac{sec^2 \theta}{sec^2 \theta} d\theta [/tex]
[tex] \int_{-\pi/4}^{\pi/4} \theta d\theta [/tex]
[tex] \frac{\theta^2}{2} \big|_{-\pi/4}^{\pi/4} [/tex]
[tex] (\pi/4)^2/2 - (-\pi/4)^2/2 [/tex]

Alright, I see that I'm wrong by looking at the graph. What's the problem here?

Now you are making me sleepy. sec(θ)^2/sec(θ)^2 isn't θ. It's 1.
 
  • #20
[tex] \theta \big|_{-\pi/4}^{\pi/4} = \pi/2 [/tex]
[tex] 2I= \pi/2[/tex]
[tex] I = \pi/4 [/tex]

Were there any arithmetic errors in there? haha
 
  • #21
piercebeatz said:
[tex] \theta \big|_{-\pi/4}^{\pi/4} = \pi/2 [/tex]
[tex] 2I= \pi/2[/tex]
[tex] I = \pi/4 [/tex]

Were there any arithmetic errors in there? haha

Sadly, yes. You dropped the factor of pi you had correct in post 7. You would do it easily with the hint I gave you if you were less tired.
 
  • #22
Alright, so [itex] I = \pi^2/4 [/itex]. Thank you very much for the help, now I'm going to get some beauty sleep
 
  • #23
piercebeatz said:
Alright, so [itex] I = \pi^2/4 [/itex]. Thank you very much for the help, now I'm going to get some beauty sleep

Very welcome, and good idea!
 

Related to Is this Tricky Definite Integral Solvable?

What is a "Tricky Definite Integral"?

A tricky definite integral is a type of mathematical problem that involves finding the area under a curve between two specific points. These types of integrals can be challenging because they often require advanced problem-solving techniques and may not have a straightforward solution.

Why are "Tricky Definite Integrals" important?

Tricky definite integrals are important because they have many real-world applications, such as calculating the work done by a force, finding the average value of a function, or determining the total amount of a chemical reaction. They also serve as an important tool for solving more complex mathematical problems.

What are some common strategies for solving "Tricky Definite Integrals"?

Some common strategies for solving tricky definite integrals include using substitution, integration by parts, trigonometric identities, and recognizing patterns. It is also important to have a good understanding of basic integration rules and techniques.

Can "Tricky Definite Integrals" have more than one solution?

Yes, tricky definite integrals can have more than one solution. Depending on the complexity of the problem, there may be multiple approaches or different ways of manipulating the integral to reach the same solution. It is always important to check your answer and make sure it is valid.

How can I improve my skills in solving "Tricky Definite Integrals"?

The best way to improve your skills in solving tricky definite integrals is to practice regularly. Start with simpler problems and gradually work your way up to more challenging ones. It can also be helpful to study and understand various integration techniques and strategies, and to seek help from teachers or online resources when needed.

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