Choose an integration technique

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 121 views

Introduction

In this article, we will delve into the world of calculus and evaluate the integral of a trigonometric function. The given integral is $\int_0^{\pi / 2}(1+\cos x)^2 \sin x \cdot dx$ . This type of integral is commonly encountered in mathematics and physics, and its evaluation requires a deep understanding of trigonometric identities and integration techniques.

The Integral

The given integral is $\int_0^{\pi / 2}(1+\cos x)^2 \sin x \cdot dx$ . To evaluate this integral, we can start by expanding the squared term using the binomial theorem.

Expanding the Squared Term

We can expand the squared term $(1+\cos x)^2$ using the binomial theorem as follows:

$(1+\cos x)^2 = 1 + 2\cos x + \cos^2 x$

Now, we can substitute this expansion into the original integral.

Substituting the Expansion

Substituting the expansion into the original integral, we get:

$\int_0^{\pi / 2}(1+\cos x)^2 \sin x \cdot dx = \int_0^{\pi / 2}(1 + 2\cos x + \cos^2 x) \sin x \cdot dx$

Distributing the Sin(x) Term

We can distribute the $\sin x$ term to each term inside the parentheses as follows:

$\int_0^{\pi / 2}(1 + 2\cos x + \cos^2 x) \sin x \cdot dx = \int_0^{\pi / 2}\sin x \cdot dx + \int_0^{\pi / 2}2\cos x \sin x \cdot dx + \int_0^{\pi / 2}\cos^2 x \sin x \cdot dx$

Evaluating the First Integral

The first integral is $\int_0^{\pi / 2}\sin x \cdot dx$ . This is a basic integral that can be evaluated using the antiderivative of the sine function.

$\int_0^{\pi / 2}\sin x \cdot dx = [-\cos x]_0^{\pi / 2} = -\cos(\pi / 2) - (-\cos(0)) = -0 + 1 = 1$

Evaluating the Second Integral

The second integral is $\int_0^{\pi / 2}2\cos x \sin x \cdot dx$ . This integral can be evaluated using the trigonometric identity $\sin(2x) = 2\sin(x)\cos(x)$ .

$\int_0^{\pi / 2}2\cos x \sin x \cdot dx = \int_0^{\pi / 2}\sin(2x) \cdot dx = \left[-\frac{1}{2}\cos(2x)\right]_0^{\pi / 2} = -\frac{1}{2}\cos(\pi) - \left(-\frac{1}{2}\cos(0)\right) = -\frac{1}{2}(-1) + \frac{1}{2}(1) = \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{2} = 1$

Evaluating the Third Integral

The third integral is $\int_0^{\pi / 2}\cos^2 x \sin x \cdot dx$ . This integral can be evaluated using the trigonometric identity $\cos^2(x) = \frac{1}{2}(1 + \cos(2x))$ .

$\int_0^{\pi / 2}\cos^2 x \sin x \cdot dx = \int_0^{\pi / 2}\frac{1}{2}(1 + \cos(2x)) \sin x \cdot dx = \frac{1}{2}\int_0^{\pi / 2}\sin x \cdot dx + \frac{1}{2}\int_0^{\pi / 2}\cos(2x) \sin x \cdot dx$

The first term in the above expression is the same as the first integral we evaluated earlier, which is equal to 1.

The second term can be evaluated using the trigonometric identity $\sin(2x) = 2\sin(x)\cos(x)$ .

$\frac{1}{2}\int_0^{\pi / 2}\cos(2x) \sin x \cdot dx = \frac{1}{4}\int_0^{\pi / 2}\sin(2x) \cdot dx = \frac{1}{4}\left[-\frac{1}{2}\cos(2x)\right]_0^{\pi / 2} = \frac{1}{4}\left(-\frac{1}{2}\cos(\pi) - \left(-\frac{1}{2}\cos(0)\right)\right) = \frac{1}{4}\left(-\frac{1}{2}(-1) + \frac{1}{2}(1)\right) = \frac{1}{4}\left(\frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{2}\right) = \frac{1}{4}$

Combining the Results

Now, we can combine the results of the three integrals to get the final answer.

$\int_0^{\pi / 2}(1+\cos x)^2 \sin x \cdot dx = 1 + 1 + \frac{1}{4} = \frac{9}{4}$

Conclusion

In this article, we evaluated the integral of a trigonometric function using various integration techniques. We expanded the squared term using the binomial theorem, distributed the $\sin x$ term, and evaluated each integral separately. The final answer is $\frac{9}{4}$ .

References

[1] "Calculus" by Michael Spivak
[2] "Trigonometry" by I.M. Gelfand and M.L. Gelfand
[3] "Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences" by Mary L. Boas

Glossary

Binomial Theorem: A mathematical formula for expanding a binomial expression.
Trigonometric Identity: A mathematical formula that relates different trigonometric functions.
Antiderivative: A function that is the integral of another function.
Integral: A mathematical operation that calculates the area under a curve.
Evaluating the Integral of a Trigonometric Function: Q&A =====================================================

Introduction

In our previous article, we evaluated the integral of a trigonometric function using various integration techniques. In this article, we will answer some common questions related to the evaluation of this integral.

Q: What is the binomial theorem?

A: The binomial theorem is a mathematical formula for expanding a binomial expression. It states that for any positive integer n, the expansion of (a + b)^n is given by:

(a + b)^n = a^n + na^(n-1)b + ... + b^n

In our previous article, we used the binomial theorem to expand the squared term (1 + cos x)^2.

Q: What is a trigonometric identity?

A: A trigonometric identity is a mathematical formula that relates different trigonometric functions. For example, the identity sin^2(x) + cos^2(x) = 1 is a trigonometric identity.

Q: What is an antiderivative?

A: An antiderivative is a function that is the integral of another function. In other words, if f(x) is a function and F(x) is its antiderivative, then the integral of f(x) from a to b is equal to F(b) - F(a).

Q: What is an integral?

A: An integral is a mathematical operation that calculates the area under a curve. It is a fundamental concept in calculus and is used to solve a wide range of problems in physics, engineering, and other fields.

Q: How do I evaluate an integral?

A: Evaluating an integral involves several steps:

Identify the integral: Identify the integral you want to evaluate and write it down.
Choose an integration technique: Choose an integration technique that is suitable for the integral. For example, you might use substitution, integration by parts, or trigonometric substitution.
Apply the integration technique: Apply the integration technique you chose to evaluate the integral.
Simplify the result: Simplify the result of the integration to get the final answer.

Q: What are some common integration techniques?

A: Some common integration techniques include:

Substitution: This involves substituting a new variable into the integral to make it easier to evaluate.
Integration by parts: This involves breaking down the integral into smaller parts and evaluating each part separately.
Trigonometric substitution: This involves substituting a trigonometric function into the integral to make it easier to evaluate.
Partial fractions: This involves breaking down the integral into smaller parts and evaluating each part separately.

Q: How do I know which integration technique to use?

A: Choosing the right integration technique can be tricky. Here are some tips to help you choose:

Look for patterns: Look for patterns in the integral that might suggest a particular integration technique.
Try substitution: Try substituting a new variable into the integral to see if it makes it easier to evaluate.
Use integration by parts: Use integration by parts if the integral involves a product of two functions.
Use trigonometric substitution: Use trigonometric substitution if the integral involves trigonometric functions.

Conclusion

In this article, we answered some common questions related to the evaluation of the integral of a trigonometric function. We discussed the binomial theorem, trigonometric identities, antiderivatives, and integrals, and provided tips for choosing the right integration technique. We hope this article has been helpful in your studies of calculus and trigonometry.

References

[1] "Calculus" by Michael Spivak
[2] "Trigonometry" by I.M. Gelfand and M.L. Gelfand
[3] "Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences" by Mary L. Boas

Glossary

Binomial Theorem: A mathematical formula for expanding a binomial expression.
Trigonometric Identity: A mathematical formula that relates different trigonometric functions.
Antiderivative: A function that is the integral of another function.
Integral: A mathematical operation that calculates the area under a curve.