Please help with integral proof problem

miniskus

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Jun 13, 2005
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First i need to find the int[{(tanx)^3}*{(secx)^4}dx in two different ways and then i have to prove that my solutions are equal. The first way I used i got as being (1/6)[(tan(x))^6] + (1/4)[(tan(x))^4] and the second as (1/6)[(sec(x))^6] - (1/4)[(sec(x))^4)], but these aren't exactly equal so i don't know what I'm doing wrong. Thank you very much for your help.
 
Hello, miniskus!

What you got is absolutely correct . . . nice work!

Of course, the answers look differerent.
Our task is to show that they are indeed equal (like an identity).

Let's start with the secant-answer. (Don't forget the "plus C".)
. . . (1/6)sec<sup>6</sup>x - (1/4)sec<sup>4</sup>x + C

Factor out 1/12, and factor out sec<sup>4</sup>x: . (1/12)sec<sup>4</sup>x (2sec<sup>2</sup>x - 3) + C

So we have: . (1/12) (sec<sup>2</sup>x)<sup>2</sup> (2sec<sup>2</sup>x - 3) + C

Use the identity: .sec<sup>2</sup>x .= .tan<sup>2</sup>x + 1 . and substitute.
. . . (1/12) (tan<sup>2</sup>x + 1)<sup>2</sup> (2[tan<sup>2</sup>x + 1) - 3) + C

Multiply it out and simplify: . (1/12)(2tan<sup>6</sup>x + 3tan<sup>4</sup>x - 1) + C

This is: . (1/6)tan<sup>6</sup>x + (1/4)tan<sup>4</sup>x - 1/12 + C

. . which is your other answer (differing only by a constant).
 
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