Weierstrass Substitution - Special Tangent Substitution
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integration basic trig integration integration by substitution |
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An interesting and special substitution that will often convert trig integrals into a form that can be integrated is to let \(t = \tan(x/2)\). From this we get the list of substitutions in the table below.
\(\displaystyle{ t = \tan(x/2) }\) |
\(\displaystyle{ dx = \frac{2}{1+t^2}dt }\) | |
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\(\displaystyle{ \sin(x) = \frac{2t}{1+t^2} }\) |
\(\displaystyle{ \cos(x) = \frac{1-t^2}{1+t^2} }\) |
Here is a short introduction of these equations.
video by blackpenredpen |
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This video shows the derivation of the equations. We recommend that you watch it, so that you will know where the equations come from and how to use them.
video by PatrickJMT |
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Okay, let's work some practice problems using this substitution.
Practice
Unless otherwise instructed, evaluate these integrals using Weierstrass substitution giving your answers in exact, simplified and factored form.
Basic
\(\displaystyle{\int{\frac{dx}{2\sin(x)+\sin(2x)}}}\)
Problem Statement |
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Evaluate the integral \(\displaystyle{\int{\frac{dx}{2\sin(x)+\sin(2x)}}}\). Give your answer in simplified, factored form.
Hint |
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This problem requires weierstrass substitution and trig integration to solve.
Problem Statement |
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Evaluate the integral \(\displaystyle{\int{\frac{dx}{2\sin(x)+\sin(2x)}}}\). Give your answer in simplified, factored form.
Final Answer |
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\(\displaystyle{\int{\frac{dx}{2\sin(x)+\sin(2x)}}}\) \(\displaystyle{ = \frac{1}{4}\ln[\tan(x/2)] + \frac{1}{8}\tan^2(x/2)+ C }\)
Problem Statement
Evaluate the integral \(\displaystyle{\int{\frac{dx}{2\sin(x)+\sin(2x)}}}\). Give your answer in simplified, factored form.
Hint
This problem requires weierstrass substitution and trig integration to solve.
Solution
To try to simplify this problem somewhat so that we can get some ideas, we use the identity \(\sin(2x) = 2\sin(x)\cos(x)\) in the denominator.
\(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{dx}{2\sin(x)+\sin(2x)} } }\) |
\(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{dx}{2\sin(x)+2\sin(x)\cos(x)} } }\) |
\(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{dx}{2\sin(x)(1+\cos(x))} } }\) |
We could try substitution letting \(u=1+\cos(x)\) but that doesn't get us anywhere and no other basic substitution will either. So, let's try the substitution \(t=\tan(x/2)\). We know that
\(\displaystyle{ \sin(x) = \frac{2t}{1+t^2} }\) and \(\displaystyle{ \cos(x) = \frac{1-t^2}{1+t^2} }\)
From these, we can calculate expressions for \(1+\cos(x)\) and \(2\sin(x)(1+\cos(x))\).
\(\displaystyle{1+\cos(x) = 1 + \frac{1-t^2}{1+t^2} }\) |
\(\displaystyle{ \frac{1+t^2}{1+t^2} + \frac{1-t^2}{1+t^2} }\) |
\(\displaystyle{ \frac{1+t^2+1-t^2}{1+t^2} = \frac{2}{1+t^2} }\) |
\(\displaystyle{ 2\sin(x)(1+\cos(x)) = 2 \left( \frac{2t}{1+t^2} \right) \left( \frac{2}{1+t^2} \right) = }\) \(\displaystyle{ \frac{8t}{(1+t^2)^2} }\) |
Now we take the reciprocal of the last expression (since it is in the denominator of the integrand) substitute \(\displaystyle{ dx = \frac{2}{1+t^2}dt }\) and integrate.
\(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{(1+t^2)^2}{8t} \frac{2}{1+t^2} dt } }\) |
\(\displaystyle{ \frac{1}{4}\int{ \frac{1+t^2}{t} dt } }\) |
\(\displaystyle{ \frac{1}{4}\int{ \frac{1}{t} + t ~dt} }\) |
\(\displaystyle{ \frac{1}{4} \left[ \ln(t) + \frac{t^2}{2} \right] + C }\) |
\(\displaystyle{ \frac{1}{4} \ln[ \tan(x/2)] + \frac{1}{8}\tan^2 (x/2) + C }\) |
Challenging Question: We checked our answer by using an online system and the answer they gave was
\(\displaystyle{\frac{1-2\cos^2(x/2)[ \ln(\cos(x/2)) - \ln(\sin(x/2)) ]}{4(\cos(x)+1)} + c_1}\)
Can you show that our answer is the same as this?
Final Answer
\(\displaystyle{\int{\frac{dx}{2\sin(x)+\sin(2x)}}}\) \(\displaystyle{ = \frac{1}{4}\ln[\tan(x/2)] + \frac{1}{8}\tan^2(x/2)+ C }\)
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\(\displaystyle{\int{\frac{dx}{3-5\sin(x)}}}\)
Problem Statement |
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Evaluate the integral \(\displaystyle{\int{\frac{dx}{3-5\sin(x)}}}\). Give your answer in simplified, factored form.
Hint |
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This problem requires weierstrass substitution and trig integration to solve.
Problem Statement
Evaluate the integral \(\displaystyle{\int{\frac{dx}{3-5\sin(x)}}}\). Give your answer in simplified, factored form.
Hint
This problem requires weierstrass substitution and trig integration to solve.
Solution
video by PatrickJMT |
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\(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{1}{1+\cos x + \sin x} ~dx } }\)
Problem Statement |
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Evaluate the integral \(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{1}{1+\cos x + \sin x} ~dx } }\). Give your answer in simplified, factored form.
Hint |
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This problem requires weierstrass substitution and trig integration to solve.
Problem Statement
Evaluate the integral \(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{1}{1+\cos x + \sin x} ~dx } }\). Give your answer in simplified, factored form.
Hint
This problem requires weierstrass substitution and trig integration to solve.
Solution
Comment On Notation - Although his final answer is correct, he has some incorrect notation during the course of his solution. Notice that he doesn't include his constant of integration until the very end. To make the entire solution precisely correct, he needs to include the constant of integration in the step right after he does the actual integration. This is required since he writes equal signs between his steps. (This would also be required if he implied each step is equal to the previous one.) So don't do this or you may lose points for your work. However, as usual, check with your instructor to see what they require.
video by Integrals ForYou |
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Intermediate
\(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{\cos x}{1+\cos x} ~dx } }\)
Problem Statement |
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Evaluate the integral \(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{\cos x}{1+\cos x} ~dx } }\). Give your answer in simplified, factored form.
Hint |
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This problem requires weierstrass substitution and trig integration to solve.
Problem Statement
Evaluate the integral \(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{\cos x}{1+\cos x} ~dx } }\). Give your answer in simplified, factored form.
Hint
This problem requires weierstrass substitution and trig integration to solve.
Solution
Comment On Notation - Although his final answer is correct, he has some incorrect notation during the course of his solution. Notice that he doesn't include his constant of integration until the very end. To make the entire solution precisely correct, he needs to include the constant of integration in the step right after he does the actual integration. This is required since he writes equal signs between his steps. (This would also be required if he implied each step is equal to the previous one.) So don't do this or you may lose points for your work. However, as usual, check with your instructor to see what they require.
video by Integrals ForYou |
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\(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{1}{1+\sin x}~dx } }\)
Problem Statement |
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Evaluate the integral \(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{1}{1+\sin x}~dx } }\). Give your answer in simplified, factored form.
Hint |
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This problem requires weierstrass substitution and trig integration to solve.
Problem Statement
Evaluate the integral \(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{1}{1+\sin x}~dx } }\). Give your answer in simplified, factored form.
Hint
This problem requires weierstrass substitution and trig integration to solve.
Solution
Comment On Notation - Although his final answer is correct, he has some incorrect notation during the course of his solution. Notice that he doesn't include his constant of integration until the very end. To make the entire solution precisely correct, he needs to include the constant of integration in the step right after he does the actual integration. This is required since he writes equal signs between his steps. (This would also be required if he implied each step is equal to the previous one.) So don't do this or you may lose points for your work. However, as usual, check with your instructor to see what they require.
video by Integrals ForYou |
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\(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{\sin^2 x}{(1+\cos x)^2} ~dx } }\)
Problem Statement |
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Evaluate the integral \(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{\sin^2 x}{(1+\cos x)^2} ~dx } }\). Give your answer in simplified, factored form.
Hint |
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This problem requires weierstrass substitution and trig integration to solve.
Problem Statement
Evaluate the integral \(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{\sin^2 x}{(1+\cos x)^2} ~dx } }\). Give your answer in simplified, factored form.
Hint
This problem requires weierstrass substitution and trig integration to solve.
Solution
Comment On Notation - Although his final answer is correct, he has some incorrect notation during the course of his solution. Notice that he doesn't include his constant of integration until the very end. To make the entire solution precisely correct, he needs to include the constant of integration in the step right after he does the actual integration. This is required since he writes equal signs between his steps. (This would also be required if he implied each step is equal to the previous one.) So don't do this or you may lose points for your work. However, as usual, check with your instructor to see what they require.
video by Integrals ForYou |
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Advanced
\(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{1}{\sin x} ~dx } }\)
Problem Statement |
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Evaluate the integral \(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{1}{\sin x} ~dx } }\). Give your answer in simplified, factored form.
Hint |
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This problem requires substitution and trig integration to solve. This problem looks like it should be easy but it isn't. There are at least four different ways to evaluate this integral, none of which may be obvious.
1. The weierstrass substitution \(t=\tan(x/2)\)
2. substitution \(u=x/2\)
3. substitution \(u=(1+\cos x)/(\sin x)\) after multiplying the integrand by \(u/u\)
4. start with \(\int{ \csc x ~dx}\) and let \(u=\csc x - \cot x\) after multiplying by \(u/u\)
Problem Statement |
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Evaluate the integral \(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{1}{\sin x} ~dx } }\). Give your answer in simplified, factored form.
Final Answer |
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\(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{1}{\sin x} ~dx } }\) \( = \ln\abs{ \tan(x/2) } + C_1 \) \( = \ln\abs{ \csc x - \cot x } + C_2 \)
Problem Statement
Evaluate the integral \(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{1}{\sin x} ~dx } }\). Give your answer in simplified, factored form.
Hint
This problem requires substitution and trig integration to solve. This problem looks like it should be easy but it isn't. There are at least four different ways to evaluate this integral, none of which may be obvious.
1. The weierstrass substitution \(t=\tan(x/2)\)
2. substitution \(u=x/2\)
3. substitution \(u=(1+\cos x)/(\sin x)\) after multiplying the integrand by \(u/u\)
4. start with \(\int{ \csc x ~dx}\) and let \(u=\csc x - \cot x\) after multiplying by \(u/u\)
Solution
This problem is solved several different ways as listed in the hint above.
Comment On Notation - Although his final answer is correct, he has some incorrect notation during the course of his solution. Notice that he doesn't include his constant of integration until the very end. To make the entire solution precisely correct, he needs to include the constant of integration in the step right after he does the actual integration. This is required since he writes equal signs between his steps. (This would also be required if he implied each step is equal to the previous one.) So don't do this or you may lose points for your work. However, as usual, check with your instructor to see what they require.
video by Integrals ForYou |
---|
Comment On Notation - Although his final answer is correct, he has some incorrect notation during the course of his solution. Notice that he doesn't include his constant of integration until the very end. To make the entire solution precisely correct, he needs to include the constant of integration in the step right after he does the actual integration. This is required since he writes equal signs between his steps. (This would also be required if he implied each step is equal to the previous one.) So don't do this or you may lose points for your work. However, as usual, check with your instructor to see what they require.
video by Integrals ForYou |
---|
Comment On Notation - Although his final answer is correct, he has some incorrect notation during the course of his solution. Notice that he doesn't include his constant of integration until the very end. To make the entire solution precisely correct, he needs to include the constant of integration in the step right after he does the actual integration. This is required since he writes equal signs between his steps. (This would also be required if he implied each step is equal to the previous one.) So don't do this or you may lose points for your work. However, as usual, check with your instructor to see what they require.
video by Integrals ForYou |
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video by PatrickJMT |
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Final Answer
\(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{1}{\sin x} ~dx } }\) \( = \ln\abs{ \tan(x/2) } + C_1 \) \( = \ln\abs{ \csc x - \cot x } + C_2 \)
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\(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{\sin x}{1+\sin x} ~dx } }\)
Problem Statement |
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Evaluate the integral \(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{\sin x}{1+\sin x} ~dx } }\). Give your answer in simplified, factored form.
Hint |
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This problem requires weierstrass substitution and trig integration to solve.
Problem Statement
Evaluate the integral \(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{\sin x}{1+\sin x} ~dx } }\). Give your answer in simplified, factored form.
Hint
This problem requires weierstrass substitution and trig integration to solve.
Solution
Comment On Notation - Although his final answer is correct, he has some incorrect notation during the course of his solution. Notice that he doesn't include his constant of integration until the very end. To make the entire solution precisely correct, he needs to include the constant of integration in the step right after he does the actual integration. This is required since he writes equal signs between his steps. (This would also be required if he implied each step is equal to the previous one.) So don't do this or you may lose points for your work. However, as usual, check with your instructor to see what they require.
video by Integrals ForYou |
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Log in to rate this practice problem and to see it's current rating. |
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\(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{1}{\cos x} ~dx } }\)
Problem Statement |
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Evaluate the integral \(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{1}{\cos x} ~dx } }\). Give your answer in simplified, factored form.
Hint |
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This problem requires substitution and trig integration to solve. This looks like it should be easy but it isn't. There are at least three different ways to evaluate the integral, none of which may be obvious.
1. The weierstrass substitution \(t=\tan(x/2)\)
2. start with \(\int{ \sec x ~dx}\) and let \(u=\sec x + \tan x \) after multiplying by \(u/u\)
3. substitution \(u=1/\cos x + \tan x\) after multiplying the integrand by \(u/u\)
Problem Statement
Evaluate the integral \(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{1}{\cos x} ~dx } }\). Give your answer in simplified, factored form.
Hint
This problem requires substitution and trig integration to solve. This looks like it should be easy but it isn't. There are at least three different ways to evaluate the integral, none of which may be obvious.
1. The weierstrass substitution \(t=\tan(x/2)\)
2. start with \(\int{ \sec x ~dx}\) and let \(u=\sec x + \tan x \) after multiplying by \(u/u\)
3. substitution \(u=1/\cos x + \tan x\) after multiplying the integrand by \(u/u\)
Solution
This problem is solved several different ways as listed in the hint above. The last two videos are by two different instructors that both use technique 3.
Comment On Notation - Although his final answer is correct, he has some incorrect notation during the course of his solution. Notice that he doesn't include his constant of integration until the very end. To make the entire solution precisely correct, he needs to include the constant of integration in the step right after he does the actual integration. This is required since he writes equal signs between his steps. (This would also be required if he implied each step is equal to the previous one.) So don't do this or you may lose points for your work. However, as usual, check with your instructor to see what they require.
video by Integrals ForYou |
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video by Michel vanBiezen |
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Comment On Notation - Although his final answer is correct, he has some incorrect notation during the course of his solution. Notice that he doesn't include his constant of integration until the very end. To make the entire solution precisely correct, he needs to include the constant of integration in the step right after he does the actual integration. This is required since he writes equal signs between his steps. (This would also be required if he implied each step is equal to the previous one.) So don't do this or you may lose points for your work. However, as usual, check with your instructor to see what they require.
video by Integrals ForYou |
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video by Michel vanBiezen |
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\(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{1}{2 + \sin x} ~dx } }\)
Problem Statement
Evaluate the integral \(\displaystyle{ \int{ \frac{1}{2 + \sin x} ~dx } }\) using Weierstrass substitution giving your answers in exact, simplified and factored form.
Solution
Comment On Notation - Although his final answer is correct, he has some incorrect notation during the course of his solution. Notice that he doesn't include his constant of integration until the very end. To make the entire solution precisely correct, he needs to include the constant of integration in the step right after he does the actual integration. This is required since he writes equal signs between his steps. (This would also be required if he implied each step is equal to the previous one.) So don't do this or you may lose points for your work. However, as usual, check with your instructor to see what they require.
video by Integrals ForYou |
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