Chapter 5: Problem 25
Evaluate the integral. $$\int_{0}^{\pi / 4} 2 \sec ^{2} x d x$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The value of the integral \(\int_{0}^{\pi / 4} 2 \sec ^{2} x d x\) is 2.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the integral
The integral that needs to be solved is \(\int_{0}^{\pi / 4} 2 \sec ^{2} x d x\).
02
Evaluate the indefinite integral
We first want to compute the indefinite integral of \(2\sec^2x\) which is a standard result and can be found in common integral tables. The indefinite integral of \(2\sec^2x\) is \(2\tan x + C\), where \(C\) represents the constant of integration.
03
Evaluate the definite integral
To evaluate the definite integral, we compute \(F(b) - F(a)\), where \(F(x)\) represents the antiderivative of the integrated function, and \(a\) and \(b\) represent the lower and upper limits of integration. Substituting upper and lower limits gives \((2\tan(\pi/4)) - (2\tan(0))\).
04
Calculation
The values of \(\tan(\pi/4)\) and \(\tan(0)\) are known to be \(1\) and \(0\) respectively. Substituting these values in gives \(2*1 - 2*0 = 2\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Definite Integrals
Definite integrals help us calculate the exact area under a curve between two endpoints. In this exercise, the definite integral \( \int_{0}^{\pi / 4} 2 \sec^2 x \, dx \) represents the area under the function \( 2 \sec^2 x \) from \( x = 0 \) to \( x = \pi / 4 \). Here’s a straightforward breakdown of how we handle definite integrals:
- Identify the function to integrate and the limits of integration—the starting and ending points.
- Find the antiderivative (or the indefinite integral) of the function. This provides a formula representing the accumulated area function.
- Apply the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, which tells us to evaluate this antiderivative at the upper limit and subtract the evaluation at the lower limit: \( F(b) - F(a) \). In this context, it’s \( F(\pi / 4) - F(0) \).
- Compute these values to find the definite integral's result, offering a precise area measure between the two limits.
Trigonometric Functions
Trigonometric functions are crucial in integral calculus, often appearing in problems involving wave-like patterns or oscillations. In this exercise, we are tackling \( \sec^2 x \), which is the trigonometric function
- \( \sec x \) is the reciprocal trigonometric function of \( \cos x \), so \( \sec x = \frac{1}{\cos x} \).
- The function \( \sec^2 x \) is essential because it is the derivative of \( \tan x \). This fact is key in efficiently finding integrals and antiderivatives involving \( \sec^2 x \).
- The integral relationship: since the derivative of \( \tan x \) leads directly to \( \sec^2 x \), integrating \( \sec^2 x \) brings us back to \( \tan x \).
- Function familiarity: knowing the basics of trigonometry helps in comprehending transformations and substitutions, crucial for solving integrals.
Antiderivatives
Antiderivatives, sometimes called indefinite integrals, reverse the process of differentiation. Essentially, if you have a derivative, finding its antiderivative lets you reconstruct the original function. In this problem, our task involved:
- Identifying the function to integrate, which was \( 2 \sec^2 x \).
- Finding the antiderivative, \( 2 \tan x + C \). We knew from calculus tables and understanding trigonometric derivatives that the derivative of \( \tan x \) is \( \sec^2 x \).
- Applying the constant of integration \( C \), which is crucial for indefinite integrals to represent the family of functions that differ by a constant.
- Antiderivatives let you glimpse into how changes accumulate, similar to tracking savings after a steady contribution over time.
- They're foundational in physics and engineering, providing insights into movement, area, and total accumulated quantities over intervals.