Chapter 6: Problem 81
Evaluate the definite integral. \(\int_{-\pi / 2}^{\pi / 2} \sin ^{2} x \cos x d x\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The integral evaluates to \( \frac{2}{3} \).
Step by step solution
01
Choose a Suitable Substitution
Notice that the integral is of the form \( \int \sin^2 x \cos x \, dx \). This suggests a substitution that can simplify the expression. Consider setting \( u = \sin x \), which makes \( du = \cos x \, dx \). The limits of integration will change according to the substitution as follows: when \( x = -\pi/2 \), \( u = \sin(-\pi/2) = -1 \), and when \( x = \pi/2 \), \( u = \sin(\pi/2) = 1 \). Thus, our integral becomes \( \int_{-1}^{1} u^2 \, du \).
02
Integrate with Respect to \( u \)
Now, we need to integrate \( u^2 \) with respect to \( u \). The integral \( \int u^2 \, du \) is straightforward and is given by the antiderivative \( \frac{u^3}{3} + C \).
03
Evaluate the Definite Integral
Substitute the limits of integration into the antiderivative: \[ \left[ \frac{u^3}{3} \right]_{-1}^{1} = \frac{1^3}{3} - \frac{(-1)^3}{3}. \] Simplifying, we find: \[ \frac{1}{3} - \frac{-1}{3} = \frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{3} = \frac{2}{3}. \]
04
Final Result
Having evaluated the definite integral, we conclude that the integral \( \int_{-\pi / 2}^{\pi / 2} \sin^{2} x \cos x \, dx \) equals \( \frac{2}{3} \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Trigonometric Substitution
Trigonometric substitution is a technique used to simplify integrals involving trigonometric functions. It's quite powerful when dealing with expressions like \( \int \sin^2 x \cos x \, dx \). Here, we substitute a part of the trigonometric function with a new variable. This helps to transform the problem into a more straightforward integral. In our exercise, we chose \( u = \sin x \), which results in \( du = \cos x \, dx \).
- This substitution simplifies the setup since \( \sin^2 x \) becomes \( u^2 \) and \( \cos x \, dx \) becomes \( du \).
- It changes the approach from trigonometric to polynomial, making the integration much simpler.
Limits of Integration
When performing a definite integral, the limits of integration define the range over which you're integrating. In definite integrals involving substitution, it's also crucial to adjust these limits based on your substitution.
- In this exercise, the original limits were given in terms of \( x \) and were \(-\pi/2\) to \(\pi/2\).
- Mindfully, we adapt these to our new variable \( u = \sin x \). Therefore, when \( x = -\pi/2 \), \( u \) becomes \(-1\); and when \( x = \pi/2 \), \( u \) becomes \(1\).
Antiderivative
Finding the antiderivative is a key step in solving integrals. It involves determining a function whose derivative yields the original function you started with. In our example, integrating \( u^2 \) leads us to its antiderivative.
- The integral, \( \int u^2 \, du \), is relatively straightforward and results in \( \frac{u^3}{3} + C \).
- The expression \( \frac{u^3}{3} \) must then be evaluated using our limits of integration, from \(-1\) to \(1\), turning it into \( \left[ \frac{u^3}{3} \right]_{-1}^{1} \).
- Substituting these limits into the antiderivative results in \( \frac{1}{3} - \frac{-1}{3} = \frac{2}{3} \).