How do you evaluate the integral int sinx/(cosx + cos^2x) dx?

2 Answers
Feb 17, 2017

The integral equals ln|secx + 1|+ C

Explanation:

Call the integral I. Note that the expression cosx + cos^2x = cosx(1 + cosx). For partial fractions to work, expressions need to be factored the most possible.

I = int sinx/(cosx(1 + cosx))

To perform a partial fraction decomposition, we want to get rid of the trigonometric functions if possible. We can do this through a u-substitution. Let u = cosx. Then du = -sinx dx and dx = (du)/(-sinx).

I = int sinx/(u(1 + u)) * (du)/(-sinx)

I = -int 1/(u(1 + u)) du

We're now going to use partial fraction decomposition to seperate integrals.

A/u + B/(u + 1) = 1/(u(u + 1))

A(u + 1) + Bu = 1

Au + A + Bu = 1

(A + B)u + A = 1

Now write a system of equations.

{(A + B = 0), (A = 1):}

This means that A = 1 and B = -1.

The integral becomes.

I = -int 1/u - 1/(u + 1)du

I =-int1/u + int1/(u + 1)du

I = ln|u + 1| - ln|u| + C

I=ln|cosx + 1| - ln|cosx| + C

This can be simplified using lna - lnb = ln(a/b).

I = ln|(cosx + 1)/cosx|

We can rewrite 1/cosx as secx.

I = ln|secx(cosx + 1)|

I = ln|1 + secx|, since secx and cosx are reciprocals.

Hopefully this helps!

Feb 17, 2017

ln|1+secx|+C.

Explanation:

Let I=intsinx/(cosx+cos^2x)dx.

"Subst. "u=cosx rArr du=-sinxdx," so, I=-int1/(u+u^2)du.

We can integrate using Partial Factions, but, it is much simpler

without that.

I=-int1/(u(1+u))du=-int{(u+1)-u}/(u(u+1))du

=-int{(u+1)/(u(u+1)}-u/(u(u+1))}du

=int1/(u+1)du-int1/udu

=ln|u+1|-ln|u|

=ln|(u+1)/u|=ln|u/u+1/u|

Since, u=cosx, we have,

I=ln|1+secx|+C.

Enjoy Maths.!