Chapter 7: Problem 1
Evaluate the integral. $$\int \cos ^{3} x \sin x d x$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
\(-\frac{\cos^4 x}{4} + C\)
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Integral Form
The integral given is \( \int \cos ^{3} x \sin x \, dx \). Notice that this form suggests a substitution method could be useful, particularly because the derivative of \( \cos x \) is \( -\sin x \). This indicates that substituting for \( \cos x \) might simplify the integral.
02
Make the Substitution
Let \( u = \cos x \). Then, the derivative is \( du = -\sin x \, dx \), or equivalently, \( -du = \sin x \, dx \). Substitute \( u \) and \( du \) into the integral: \( \int u^3 (-du) \). This simplifies to \( -\int u^3 \, du \).
03
Integrate with Respect to \( u \)
Now, integrate \( -\int u^3 \, du \). Using the power rule for integration, we find: \(-\frac{u^4}{4} + C\).
04
Substitute Back in Terms of \( x \)
Remember that we set \( u = \cos x \). Substitute back to get the solution in terms of \( x \): \[-\frac{(\cos x)^4}{4} + C.\] This can also be written as \(-\frac{\cos^4 x}{4} + C\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Substitution Method
The substitution method is a powerful technique for simplifying integrals. It involves changing variables to make integration easier. In essence, we substitute a complicated portion of the integral with a single variable to simplify the process. Here's how it works:
- **Identify a Substitution:** Look for a part of the integral where a simple derivative is present. For the integral \( \int \cos^3 x \sin x \, dx \), the derivative of \( \cos x \) is \( -\sin x \), makiing it a perfect candidate for substitution.
- **Substitute the Variable:** Let \( u = \cos x \). Consequently, \( du = -\sin x \, dx \). This transforms our integral to \( \int u^3 (-du) \) or \( -\int u^3 \, du \).
Trigonometric Integration
Trigonometric integration deals specifically with integrals involving trigonometric functions. These functions, like \( \sin x \) and \( \cos x \), are common in calculus and have special techniques to solve their integrals efficiently.
In our exercise, \( \cos^3 x \sin x \, dx \) involves both \( \cos x \) and \( \sin x \). The choice of substitution (\( u = \cos x \)) effectively transforms the trigonometric components into a simpler polynomial form in \( u \):
In our exercise, \( \cos^3 x \sin x \, dx \) involves both \( \cos x \) and \( \sin x \). The choice of substitution (\( u = \cos x \)) effectively transforms the trigonometric components into a simpler polynomial form in \( u \):
- First, recognize the interplay between \( \cos x \) and \( \sin x \). Since the derivative of \( \cos x \) is \( -\sin x \), this guides us towards the appropriate substitution.
- Next, use the trigonometric identity \( \sin^2 x + \cos^2 x = 1 \) if needed, though in this case, substitution was enough to simplify the integration.
Power Rule for Integration
The power rule for integration is a fundamental rule in calculus used to integrate functions of the form \( x^n \). The rule states:
If \( n eq -1 \), the integral of \( x^n \) is \( \frac{x^{n+1}}{n+1} + C \).
In this example, once we used substitution to transform the integral \( -\int u^3 \, du \), the power rule was directly applicable:
If \( n eq -1 \), the integral of \( x^n \) is \( \frac{x^{n+1}}{n+1} + C \).
In this example, once we used substitution to transform the integral \( -\int u^3 \, du \), the power rule was directly applicable:
- **Apply the Power Rule:** Integrate \( u^3 \) to get \( \frac{u^{4}}{4} + C \). Remember the negative outside the integral, leading to the add-on of a negative sign, resulting in \( -\frac{u^4}{4} + C \).
- **Re-substitute:** Don't forget to re-substitute \( u = \cos x \) back into the integral, yielding the final result: \( -\frac{(\cos x)^4}{4} + C \).