Integrals Resulting in Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Learning Objectives
Integrate functions resulting in inverse trigonometric functions
In this section we focus on integrals that result in inverse trigonometric functions. We have worked with these functions before. Recall from Functions and Graphs that trigonometric functions are not one-to-one unless the domains are restricted. When working with inverses of trigonometric functions, we always need to be careful to take these restrictions into account. Also in Derivatives, we developed formulas for derivatives of inverse trigonometric functions. The formulas developed there give rise directly to integration formulas involving inverse trigonometric functions.
Integrals that Result in Inverse Sine Functions
Let us begin this last section of the chapter with the three formulas. Along with these formulas, we use substitution to evaluate the integrals. We prove the formula for the inverse sine integral.
Rule: Integration Formulas Resulting in Inverse Trigonometric Functions
The following integration formulas yield inverse trigonometric functions:
∫a2−u2du=sin−1au+C
∫a2+u2du=a1tan−1au+C
∫uu2−a2du=a1sec−1au+C
Proof
Let y=sin−1ax. Then asiny=x. Now let’s use implicit differentiation. We obtain
dxd(asiny)acosydxdydxdy===dxd(x)1acosy1.
For −2π≤y≤2π,cosy≥0. Thus, applying the Pythagorean identity sin2y+cos2y=1, we have cosy=1=sin2y. This gives
acosy1=a1−sin2y1=a2−a2sin2y1=a2−x21.
Then for −a≤x≤a, we have
∫a2−u21du=sin−1(au)+C.
□
Evaluating a Definite Integral Using Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Evaluate the definite integral ∫011−x2dx.
We can go directly to the formula for the antiderivative in the rule on integration formulas resulting in inverse trigonometric functions, and then evaluate the definite integral. We have
Integrals Resulting in Other Inverse Trigonometric Functions
There are six inverse trigonometric functions. However, only three integration formulas are noted in the rule on integration formulas resulting in inverse trigonometric functions because the remaining three are negative versions of the ones we use. The only difference is whether the integrand is positive or negative. Rather than memorizing three more formulas, if the integrand is negative, simply factor out −1 and evaluate the integral using one of the formulas already provided. To close this section, we examine one more formula: the integral resulting in the inverse tangent function.
Finding an Antiderivative Involving the Inverse Tangent Function
Find an antiderivative of ∫1+4x21dx.
Comparing this problem with the formulas stated in the rule on integration formulas resulting in inverse trigonometric functions, the integrand looks similar to the formula for tan−1u+C. So we use substitution, letting u=2x, then du=2dx and 1/2du=dx. Then, we have
21∫1+u21du=21tan−1u+C=21tan−1(2x)+C.
Use substitution to find the antiderivative of ∫25+4x2dx.
101tan−1(52x)+C
Hint
Use the solving strategy from [link] and the rule on integration formulas resulting in inverse trigonometric functions.
Follow the procedures from [link] to solve the problem.
Key Concepts
Formulas for derivatives of inverse trigonometric functions developed in Derivatives of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions lead directly to integration formulas involving inverse trigonometric functions.
Use the formulas listed in the rule on integration formulas resulting in inverse trigonometric functions to match up the correct format and make alterations as necessary to solve the problem.
Substitution is often required to put the integrand in the correct form.
Key Equations
Integrals That Produce Inverse Trigonometric Functions
∫a2−u2du=sin−1(au)+C
∫a2+u2du=a1tan−1(au)+C
∫uu2−a2du=a1sec−1(au)+C
In the following exercises, evaluate each integral in terms of an inverse trigonometric function.
∫03/21−x2dx
sin−1x∣03/2=3π
∫−1/21/21−x2dx
∫311+x2dx
tan−1x∣31=−12π
∫1/331+x2dx
∫12∣x∣x2−1dx
sec−1x∣12=4π
∫12/3∣x∣x2−1dx
In the following exercises, find each indefinite integral, using appropriate substitutions.
∫9−x2dx
sin−1(3x)+C
∫1−16x2dx
∫9+x2dx
31tan−1(3x)+C
∫25+16x2dx
∫∣x∣x2−9dx
31sec−1(3x)+C
∫∣x∣4x2−16dx
Explain the relationship −cos−1t+C=∫1−t2dt=sin−1t+C. Is it true, in general, that cos−1t=−sin−1t?
cos(2π−θ)=sinθ. So, sin−1t=2π−cos−1t. They differ by a constant.
Explain the relationship sec−1t+C=∫∣t∣t2−1dt=−csc−1t+C. Is it true, in general, that sec−1t=−csc−1t?
Explain what is wrong with the following integral: ∫121−t2dt.
1−t2 is not defined as a real number when t>1.
Explain what is wrong with the following integral: ∫−11∣t∣t2−1dt.
In the following exercises, solve for the antiderivative ∫f of f with C=0, then use a calculator to graph f and the antiderivative over the given interval [a,b]. Identify a value of C such that adding C to the antiderivative recovers the definite integral F(x)=∫axf(t)dt.
[T]∫9−x21dx over [−3,3]
The antiderivative is sin−1(3x)+C. Taking C=2π recovers the definite integral.
[T]∫9+x29dx over [−6,6]
[T]∫4+sin2xcosxdx over [−6,6]
The antiderivative is 21tan−1(2sinx)+C. Taking C=21tan−1(2sin(6)) recovers the definite integral.
[T]∫1+e2xexdx over [−6,6]
In the following exercises, compute the antiderivative using appropriate substitutions.
∫1−t2sin−1tdt
21(sin−1t)2+C
∫sin−1t1−t2dt
∫1+4t2tan−1(2t)dt
41(tan−1(2t))2
∫1+t4ttan−1(t2)dt
∫∣t∣t2−4sec−1(2t)dt
41(sec−1(2t)2)+C
∫t2t4−1tsec−1(t2)dt
In the following exercises, use a calculator to graph the antiderivative ∫f with C=0 over the given interval [a,b]. Approximate a value of C, if possible, such that adding C to the antiderivative gives the same value as the definite integral F(x)=∫axf(t)dt.
[T]∫xx2−41dx over [2,6]
The antiderivative is 21sec−1(2x)+C. Taking C=0 recovers the definite integral over [2,6].
[T]∫(2x+2)x1dx over [0,6]
[T]∫1+x2sin2x(sinx+xcosx)dx over [−6,6]
The general antiderivative is tan−1(xsinx)+C. Taking C=−tan−1(6sin(6)) recovers the definite integral.
[T]∫1−e−4x2e−2xdx over [0,2]
[T]∫x+xln2x1 over [0,2]
The general antiderivative is tan−1(lnx)+C. Taking C=2π=tan−1∞ recovers the definite integral.
[T]∫1−x2sin−1x over [−1,1]
In the following exercises, compute each integral using appropriate substitutions.
∫1−e2texdt
sin−1(et)+C
∫1+e2tetdt
∫t1−ln2tdt
sin−1(lnt)+C
∫t(1+ln2t)dt
∫1−4t2cos−1(2t)dt
−21(cos−1(2t))2+C
∫1−e2tetcos−1(et)dt
In the following exercises, compute each definite integral.
∫01/21−t2tan(sin−1t)dt
21ln(34)
∫1/41/21−t2tan(cos−1t)dt
∫01/21+t2sin(tan−1t)dt
1−52
∫01/21+t2cos(tan−1t)dt
For A>0, compute I(A)=∫−AA1+t2dt and evaluate a→∞limI(A), the area under the graph of 1+t21 on [−∞,∞].
2tan−1(A)→π as A→∞
For 1<B<∞, compute I(B)=∫1Btt2−1dt and evaluate B→∞limI(B), the area under the graph of tt2−11 over [1,∞).
Use the substitution u=2cotx and the identity 1+cot2x=csc2x to evaluate ∫1+cos2xdx. (Hint: Multiply the top and bottom of the integrand by csc2x.)
Using the hint, one has ∫csc2x+cot2xcsc2xdx=∫1+2cot2xcsc2xdx. Set u=2cotx. Then, du=−2csc2x and the integral is −21∫1+u2du=−21tan−1u+C=21tan−1(2cotx)+C. If one uses the identity tan−1s+tan−1(s1)=2π, then this can also be written 21tan−1(2tanx)+C.
[T] Approximate the points at which the graphs of f(x)=2x2−1 and g(x)=(1+4x2)−3/2 intersect, and approximate the area between their graphs accurate to three decimal places.
47. [T] Approximate the points at which the graphs of f(x)=x2−1 and f(x)=x2−1 intersect, and approximate the area between their graphs accurate to three decimal places.
x≈±1.13525. The left endpoint estimate with N=100 is 2.796 and these decimals persist for N=500.
Use the following graph to prove that ∫0x1−t2dt=21x1−x2+21sin−1x.
Chapter Review Exercises
True or False. Justify your answer with a proof or a counterexample. Assume all functions f and g are continuous over their domains.
If f\left(x\right)>0,{f}^{\prime }\text{(}x\right)>0 for all x, then the right-hand rule underestimates the integral ∫abf(x). Use a graph to justify your answer.
False
∫abf(x)2dx=∫abf(x)dx∫abf(x)dx
If f(x)≤g(x) for all x∈[a,b], then ∫abf(x)≤∫abg(x).
True
All continuous functions have an antiderivative.
Evaluate the Riemann sums L4andR4 for the following functions over the specified interval. Compare your answer with the exact answer, when possible, or use a calculator to determine the answer.
y=3x2−2x+1 over [−1,1]
L4=5.25,R4=3.25, exact answer: 4
y=ln(x2+1) over [0,e]
y=x2sinx over [0,π]
L4=5.364,R4=5.364, exact answer: 5.870
y=x+x1 over [1,4]
Evaluate the following integrals.
∫−11(x3−2x2+4x)dx
−34
∫041+6t23tdt
∫π/3π/22sec(2θ)tan(2θ)dθ
1
∫0π/4ecos2xsinxcosdx
Find the antiderivative.
∫(x+4)3dx
−2(x+4)21+C
∫xln(x2)dx
∫1−x64x2dx
34sin−1(x3)+C
∫1+e4xe2xdx
Find the derivative.
dtd∫0t1+x2sinxdx
1+t2sint
dxd∫1x34−t2dt
dxd∫1ln(x)(4t+et)dt
4xlnx+1
dxd∫0cosxet2dt
The following problems consider the historic average cost per gigabyte of RAM on a computer.
Year
5-Year Change (💲)
1980
0
1985
−5,468,750
1990
−755,495
1995
−73,005
2000
−29,768
2005
−918
2010
−177
If the average cost per gigabyte of RAM in 2010 is 💲12, find the average cost per gigabyte of RAM in 1980.
💲6,328,113
The average cost per gigabyte of RAM can be approximated by the function C(t)=8,500,000(0.65)t, where t is measured in years since 1980, and C is cost in US💲. Find the average cost per gigabyte of RAM for 1980 to 2010.
Find the average cost of 1GB RAM for 2005 to 2010.
💲73.36
The velocity of a bullet from a rifle can be approximated by v(t)=6400t2−6505t+2686, where t is seconds after the shot and v is the velocity measured in feet per second. This equation only models the velocity for the first half-second after the shot: 0≤t≤0.5. What is the total distance the bullet travels in 0.5 sec?
What is the average velocity of the bullet for the first half-second?
Substitute u=4x