Section 2.2 Powers of Trigonometric Functions
¶The trigonometric substitutions we will focus on in this section are summarized in the table below:
Subsection 2.2.1 Products of Powers of Sine and Cosine
¶Functions consisting of powers of the sine and cosine can be integrated by using substitution and trigonometric identities. These can sometimes be tedious, but the technique is straightforward. A similar technique is applicable to powers of secant and tangent as shown in Section 2.2.2 (and also cosecant and cotangent, not discussed here). An example will suffice to explain the approach.
Example 2.14. Odd Power of Sine.
Evaluate \(\ds\int \sin^5 x\,dx\text{.}\)
Rewrite the function:
Now use \(u=\cos x\text{,}\) \(du=-\sin x\,dx\text{:}\)
Observe that by taking the substitution \(u=\cos x\) in the last example, we ended up with an even power of sine from which we can use the formula \(\sin^2x+\cos^2x=1\) to replace any remaining sines. We then ended up with a polynomial in \(u\) in which we could expand and integrate quite easily. Notice here that the “obvious” substitution \(u=\sin x\) in the original integral does not lead to any useful simplification.
This technique works for products of powers of sine and cosine. We summarize it below.
Guideline for Integrating Products of Sine and Cosine.
When evaluating \(\ds\int\sin^mx \cos^nx\,dx\text{:}\)
-
The power of sine is odd (\(m\) odd):
Use \(u=\cos x\) and \(du=-\sin x\,dx\text{.}\)
Replace \(dx\) using (a), thus cancelling one power of \(\sin x\) by the substitution of \(du\text{,}\) and be left with an even number of sine powers.
Use \(\sin^2x=1-\cos^2x~(=1-u^2)\) to replace the leftover sines.
-
The power of cosine is odd (\(n\) odd):
Use \(u=\sin x\) and \(du=\cos x\,dx\text{.}\)
Replace \(dx\) using (a), thus cancelling one power of \(\cos x\) by the substitution of \(du\text{,}\) and be left with an even number of cosine powers.
Use \(\cos^2x=1-\sin^2x~(=1-u^2)\) to replace the leftover cosines.
Both \(m\) and \(n\) are odd: Use either \(1\) or \(2\) (both will work).
Both \(m\) and \(n\) are even: Use \(\cos^2x=\frac{1}{2}\left(1+\cos(2x)\right)\) and/or \(\sin^2x=\frac{1}{2}\left(1-\cos(2x)\right)\) to reduce to a form that can be integrated.
Example 2.15. Odd Power of Cosine and Even Power of Sine.
Evaluate \(\ds\int \sin^6 x\cos^5 x\,dx\text{.}\)
We will show this solution in two ways.
Method 1: We rewrite the integrand to use the Substitution Rule.
Then use the substitution \(u=\sin x\) since the derivative of \(\sin x\) is \(\cos x\text{,}\) and also because there is only one occurrence of cosine in the integrand. Hence, \(du=\cos x\,dx\) is the perfect substitution.
Method 2: We apply the Guideline for Integrating Products of Sine and Cosine. Since the power of cosine is odd, we use the substitution \(u=\sin x\) and \(du=\cos x\text{.}\)
Then
Example 2.16. Odd Power of Cosine.
Evaluate \(\ds\int \cos^3 x\,dx\text{.}\)
Since the power of cosine is odd, we use the substitution \(u=\sin x\) and \(du=\cos x\,dx\text{.}\) This may seem strange at first since we don't have \(\sin x\) in the question, but it does work!
Example 2.17. Product of Even Powers of Sine and Cosine.
Evaluate \(\ds\int\! \sin^2x\cos^2x\,dx\text{.}\)
Use the formulas
to get
We then have
To continue the integration, we use the cosine double angle identity again with
Then
Example 2.18. Even Power of Sine.
Evaluate \(\ds\int \sin^6 x\,dx\text{.}\)
Use \(\ds \sin^2x =(1-\cos(2x))/2\) to rewrite the function:
Now we have four integrals to evaluate. Ignoring the constant for now:
and
are easy. The \(\ds \cos^3 2x\) integral is like the previous example:
And finally we use another trigonometric identity, \(\ds \cos^2x=(1+\cos(2x))/2\text{:}\)
So at long last we get
Subsection 2.2.2 Exploring Powers of Secant and Tangent
¶Now, we turn our attention to products of secant and tangent. Some we already know how to do from the table of Integral Rules in Section 1.5.3.
Note: A common mistake is to believe that \(\int\tan x\,dx\) is \(\sec^2(x)+C\) — this is not true. We can readily integrate \(\tan x\) to demonstrate why this is not true.
Example 2.19. Integrating Tangent.
Evaluate \(\ds\int\tan x\,dx\text{.}\)
Note that \(\ds\tan x = \frac{\sin x}{\cos x}\) and let \(u=\cos x\text{,}\) so that \(du=-\sin x\,dx\text{.}\)
Example 2.20. Integrating Tangent Squared.
Evaluate \(\ds\int\tan^2 x\,dx\text{.}\)
Note that \(\ds\tan^2 x = \sec^2x-1\text{.}\)
Note: In problems with tangent and secant, two integrals come up frequently:
Both have relatively nice expressions but they are a bit tricky to discover.
First we evaluate \(\ds\int\sec x\,dx\text{,}\) which we will need to compute \(\ds \int\sec^3x\,dx\text{.}\)
Example 2.21. Integral of Secant.
Evaluate \(\ds\int\sec x\,dx\text{.}\)
We start with a trick, namely we multiply the integrand by 1, but we express 1 as the ratio \((\sec x + \tan x)/(\sec x + \tan x)\text{.}\) This sounds like a crazy idea, but it works!
Now let \(u=\sec x +\tan x\text{,}\) \(\ds du=\sec x \tan x + \sec^2x\,dx\text{,}\) exactly the numerator of the function we are integrating. Thus
Now we compute the integral \(\ds \int\sec^3 x\,dx\text{.}\)
Example 2.22. Integral of Secant Cubed.
Evaluate \(\ds\int\sec^3 x\,dx\text{.}\)
We already know how to integrate \(\sec x\text{,}\) so we just need the first quotient. This is “simply” a matter of recognizing the Product Rule differentiation in action:
So putting these together we get
Subsection 2.2.3 Products of Powers of Secant and Tangent
For products of secant and tangent it is best to use the following Guideline.
Guideline for Integrating Products of Secant and Tangent.
When evaluating \(\ds\int\sec^mx \tan^nx\,dx\text{:}\)
-
The power of secant is even (\(m\) even):
Use \(u=\tan x\) and \(du=\sec^2 x\,dx\text{.}\)
Cancel \(\sec^2 x\) by the substitution of \(dx\text{,}\) and be left with an even number of secants.
Use \(\sec^2x=1+\tan^2x~(=1+u^2)\) to replace the leftover secants.
-
The power of tangent is odd (\(n\) odd):
Use \(u=\sec x\) and \(du=\sec x\tan x\,dx\text{.}\)
Cancel one \(\sec x\) and one \(\tan x\) by the substitution of \(dx\text{.}\) The number of remaining tangents is even.
Use \(\tan^2x=\sec^2x-1~(=u^2-1)\) to replace the leftover tangents.
\(m\) is even or \(n\) is odd: Use either \(1\) or \(2\) (both will work).
The power of secant is odd and the power of tangent is even: No guideline. The integrals \(\ds\int\sec x\,dx\) and \(\ds\int\sec^3 x\,dx\) can usually be looked up, or recalled from memory.
Example 2.23. Even Power of Secant.
Evaluate \(\ds\int\sec^6x\tan^6x\,dx\text{.}\)
Since the power of secant is even, we use \(u=\tan x\text{,}\) so that \(du=\sec^2x\,dx\text{.}\)
To integrate this product the easiest method is expand it into a polynomial and integrate term-by-term.
Example 2.24. Odd Power of Tangent.
Evaluate \(\ds\int\sec^5x\tan x\,dx\text{.}\)
Since the power of tangent is odd, we use \(u=\sec x\text{,}\) so that \(du= \sec x\tan x\,dx\text{.}\) Then we have:
Example 2.25. Odd Power of Secant and Even Power of Tangent.
Evaluate \(\ds\int\sec x\tan^2x\,dx\text{.}\)
The Guideline doesn't help us in this scenario. However, since \(\ds\tan^2x=\sec^2x-1\text{,}\) we have
Exercises for Section 2.2.
Exercise 2.2.1.
Evaluate the following indefinite integrals.
-
\(\ds\int \sin^2 x\,dx\)
AnswerSolution\(x/2-\sin(2x)/4+C\)We recall the following identity:
\begin{equation*} \sin^2 x = \frac{1}{2}(1-\cos(2x))\text{.} \end{equation*}Therefore,
\begin{equation*} \int \sin^2 x \,dx = \frac{1}{2} \int 1-\cos (2x) \,dx\text{.} \end{equation*}Now let \(u=2x\) with \(du = 2\,dx\text{:}\)
\begin{equation*} \begin{split} \frac{1}{2} \int 1-\cos (2x) \,dx \amp = \frac{1}{4} \int (1-\cos(u))\,du\\ \amp = \frac{1}{4}\left(u - \sin u\right) + C \end{split} \end{equation*}Hence,
\begin{equation*} \int \sin^2 x \,dx = \frac{1}{4}\left(2x - \sin (2x)\right) + C\text{.} \end{equation*} -
\(\ds\int \sin^3 x\,dx\)
AnswerSolution\(\ds -\cos x+(\cos^3x)/3+C\)To solve this integral, we will use the substitution \(u=\cos x\) with \(du = -\sin x\,dx\text{.}\) Then:
\begin{equation*} \begin{split} \int \sin^3 x \,dx \amp = -\int (1-u^2)\,du\\ \amp = -u +\frac{1}{3}u^3+C\\ \amp = -\cos x + \frac{1}{3}\cos^3 x + C. \end{split} \end{equation*} -
\(\ds\int \sin^4 x\,dx\)
AnswerSolution\(3x/8-(\sin 2x)/4+(\sin 4x)/32+C\)We recall the following identities:
\begin{equation*} \sin^4 x = \frac{1}{4}(1-\cos(2x))^2 \ \text{ and } \ \cos^2 x = \frac{1}{2}\left(1+\cos(2x)\right)\text{.} \end{equation*}Then the integral becomes
\begin{equation*} \begin{split} \int \sin^4x \,dx \amp = \int \frac{1}{4}(1-\cos(2x))^2 \, dx\\ \amp = \frac{1}{4} \int \left(1-2\cos(2x) + \cos^2(2x)\right)\,dx\\ \amp = \frac{1}{4} \int \left(1-2\cos(2x) + \frac{1}{2}(1+\cos(4x))\right)\,dx\\ \amp = \frac{1}{4}\int\,dx - \frac{1}{2}\int \cos(2x)\,dx + \frac{1}{8}\int 1+\cos(4x)\,dx \\ \amp = \frac{x}{4} - \frac{1}{2}\int \cos(2x)\,dx + \frac{1}{8}\int 1+\cos(4x)\,dx \end{split} \end{equation*}To solve the second integral, we let \(u=2x\) with \(du = 2\,dx\text{.}\) For the last integral, we let \(t=4x\) with \(dt=4\,dx\text{.}\) Then:
\begin{equation*} \begin{split} \int \sin^4x \,dx \amp = \frac{x}{4} - \frac{1}{4}\int \cos(u)\,du + \frac{1}{32}\int 1+\cos(t)\,dt \\ \amp = \frac{x}{4} - \frac{1}{4}\sin u +\frac{t}{32} + \frac{1}{32} \sin(t)\\ \amp = \frac{x}{4} - \frac{1}{4}\sin (2x) +\frac{x}{8} + \frac{1}{32} \sin(4x)\\ \amp = \frac{3x}{8} - \frac{1}{4}\sin(2x) + \frac{1}{32}\sin(4x) \end{split} \end{equation*} -
\(\ds\int \cos^2 x\sin^3 x\,dx\)
AnswerSolution\(\ds (\cos^5 x)/5-(\cos^3x)/3+C\)Let \(=\cos x\) with \(du=-\sin x\,dx\text{,}\) and recall the Pythagorean Identity, \(\cos^2 x + \sin^2 x = 1\text{.}\) Then,
\begin{equation*} \begin{split} \int u^2 \sin^2x (-du) \amp = -\int u^2 (1-u^2) du \\[1ex] \amp = \int u^4 - u^2 \, du = \frac{1}{5}u^5 - \frac{1}{3}u^3 + C. \end{split} \end{equation*}Thus,
\begin{equation*} \int \cos^3x \sin^3x \,dx = \frac{1}{5}\cos^5x - \frac{1}{3}\cos^3 x + \hat{C}\text{.} \end{equation*} -
\(\ds\int \cos^3 x\,dx\)
AnswerSolution\(\ds \sin x-(\sin^3x)/3+C\)First, rewrite the integrand as
\begin{equation*} \cos^3 x = \cos x (1-\sin^2 x)\text{.} \end{equation*}Now make the substitution,
\begin{equation*} u= \sin x, \ du = \cos x\,dx\text{.} \end{equation*}Then,
\begin{equation*} \int \cos^3x \,dx = \int (1-u^2) \,du = u - \frac{1}{3}u^3 + C = \sin x - \frac{1}{3} \sin^3 x + \hat{C}\text{.} \end{equation*} -
\(\ds\int \cos^3 x \sin^2 x\,dx\)
AnswerSolution\(\ds (\sin^3x)/3-(\sin^5x)/5+C\)Again, we rewrite the integrand as \(\cos^3x \sin^2x = (1-\sin^2x)\cos x \sin^2x\text{.}\) Now let
\begin{equation*} u= \sin x, \ du = \cos x\,dx\text{,} \end{equation*}and solve
\begin{equation*} \int \cos^3 x \sin^2x \,dx = \int (1-u^2)u^2 \, du = \frac{1}{3}u^3 - \frac{1}{5}u^5 + C=\frac{1}{3}\sin^3x - \frac{1}{5}\sin^5 x + \hat{C}\text{.} \end{equation*} -
\(\ds\int \sin x (\cos x)^{3/2}\,dx\)
AnswerSolution\(\ds -2(\cos x)^{5/2}/5+C\)Let \(u=\cos x\) with \(du = -\sin x \,dx.\) Thus,
\begin{equation*} \int \sin x (\cos x)^{3/2} \,dx = \int -u^{3/2} \,du = \frac{2}{5}u^{5/2} + C = \frac{2}{5} \cos^{5/2} + \hat{C}\text{.} \end{equation*} -
\(\ds\int \sec^2 x\csc^2 x\,dx\)
AnswerSolution\(\tan x-\cot x+C\)Use the identity: \\(\sec^2 x = 1+\tan^2 x\text{.}\) Then the integrand becomes
\begin{equation*} \sec^2 x \csc^2 x = (1+\tan^2x)\csc^2 x = \left(1+\frac{\sin^2 x}{\cos^2 x}\right) \frac{1}{\sin^2x} = \frac{1}{\sin^2 x} + \frac{1}{\cos^2 x}\text{.} \end{equation*}So we have that
\begin{equation*} \int \sec^2 x \csc^2 x\,dx = \int \frac{1}{\cos^2 x} \,dx + \int \frac{1}{\sin^2 x}\, dx\text{.} \end{equation*}Now recall that
\begin{equation*} \diff{}{x} \tan x = \frac{1}{\cos^2 x}, \text{ and } \diff{}{x} \cot x = -\frac{1}{\sin^2 x}\text{.} \end{equation*}Therefore,
\begin{equation*} \int \frac{1}{\cos^2 x} \,dx + \int \frac{1}{\sin^2 x}\, dx = \tan x - \cot x + C\text{.} \end{equation*} -
\(\ds\int \tan^3x \sec x\,dx\)
Answer\(\ds (\sec^3x)/3-\sec x+C\) -
\(\ds\int \left(\frac{1}{\csc x}+\frac{1}{\sec x}\right)\,dx\)
Answer\(\ds -\cos x+\sin x+C\) -
\(\ds\int\frac{\cos^2x+\cos x+1}{\cos^3x}\,dx\)
Answer\(\ds \frac{3}{2}\ln|\sec x+\tan x|+\tan x+\frac{1}{2}\sec x\tan x+C\) -
\(\ds\int x\sec^2(x^2)\tan^4(x^2)\,dx\)
Answer\(\ds \frac{\tan^5(x^2)}{10}+C\) -
\(\ds\int x\sec^2(x^2)\tan^4(x^2)\,dx\)
Answer\(\ds \frac{\tan^5(x^2)}{10}+C\)