Integral of ∫cos^3(x)dx

in #steemiteducation9 years ago

In this video, I work through the steps to solving the integral of cos3(x) or [cos(x)]3.

Note that because cos(x) is a function of x, not a mere polynomial, we can't just use the power formula as a method of integration. We must change the integrand cos3(x) into a form that we can integrate.

We can do this by writing cos3(x) as cos2(x)cos(x). Then by recognising that cos2(x) = 1 - sin2(x), we have:

cos3(x) = [1 - sin2(x)]cos(x)

Then we can simply use a u-substitution where u = sin(x) to complete the integral.

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I would have just used the identity that cos^3(x) = .25*(cos(3x)+3cos(x)) then you don't need substitution

That is definitely a valid strategy also. Thanks!

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I like this math video series!

Thank you very much @tai-euler

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