3.2 Trigonometric Integrals

In this section we look at how to integrate a variety of products of trigonometric functions. These integrals are called trigonometric integrals. They are an important part of the integration technique called trigonometric substitution, which is featured in Trigonometric Substitution. This technique allows us to convert algebraic expressions that we may not be able to integrate into expressions involving trigonometric functions, which we may be able to integrate using the techniques described in this section. In addition, these types of integrals appear frequently when we study polar, cylindrical, and spherical coordinate systems later. Let’s begin our study with products of sinx and cosx.

Integrating Products and Powers of sinx and cosx

A key idea behind the strategy used to integrate combinations of products and powers of sinx and cosx involves rewriting these expressions as sums and differences of integrals of the form sinjxcosxdx or cosjxsinxdx. After rewriting these integrals, we evaluate them using u-substitution. Before describing the general process in detail, let’s take a look at the following examples.

Integrating cosjxsinxdx

Evaluate cos3xsinxdx.

Use u-substitution and let u=cosx. In this case, du=sinxdx. Thus,

cos3xsinxdx=u3du=14u4+C=14cos4x+C.

Evaluate sin4xcosxdx.

15sin5x+C

Hint

Let u=sinx.

A Preliminary Example: Integrating cosjxsinkxdx Where k is Odd

Evaluate cos2xsin3xdx.

To convert this integral to integrals of the form cosjxsinxdx, rewrite sin3x=sin2xsinx and make the substitution sin2x=1cos2x. Thus,

cos2xsin3xdx=cos2x(1cos2x)sinxdxLetu=cosx;thendu=sinxdx.=u2(1u2)du=(u4u2)du=15u513u3+C=15cos5x13cos3x+C.

Evaluate cos3xsin2xdx.

13sin3x15sin5x+C

Hint

Write cos3x=cos2xcosx=(1sin2x)cosx and let u=sinx.

In the next example, we see the strategy that must be applied when there are only even powers of sinx and cosx. For integrals of this type, the identities

sin2x=1212cos(2x)=1cos(2x)2

and

cos2x=12+12cos(2x)=1+cos(2x)2

are invaluable. These identities are sometimes known as power-reducing identities and they may be derived from the double-angle identity cos(2x)=cos2xsin2x and the Pythagorean identity cos2x+sin2x=1.

Integrating an Even Power of sinx

Evaluate sin2xdx.

To evaluate this integral, let’s use the trigonometric identity sin2x=1212cos(2x). Thus,

sin2xdx=(1212cos(2x))dx=12x14sin(2x)+C.

Evaluate cos2xdx.

12x+14sin(2x)+C

Hint
cos2x=12+12cos(2x)

The general process for integrating products of powers of sinx and cosx is summarized in the following set of guidelines.

Integrating Products and Powers of sin x and cos x

To integrate cosjxsinkxdx use the following strategies:

  1. If k is odd, rewrite sinkx=sink1xsinx and use the identity sin2x=1cos2x to rewrite sink1x in terms of cosx. Integrate using the substitution u=cosx. This substitution makes du=sinxdx.
  2. If j is odd, rewrite cosjx=cosj1xcosx and use the identity cos2x=1sin2x to rewrite cosj1x in terms of sinx. Integrate using the substitution u=sinx. This substitution makes du=cosxdx. (Note: If both j and k are odd, either strategy 1 or strategy 2 may be used.)
  3. If both j and k are even, use sin2x=(1/2)(1/2)cos(2x) and cos2x=(1/2)+(1/2)cos(2x). After applying these formulas, simplify and reapply strategies 1 through 3 as appropriate.
Integrating cosjxsinkxdx where k is Odd

Evaluate cos8xsin5xdx.

Since the power on sinx is odd, use strategy 1. Thus,

cos8xsin5xdx=cos8xsin4xsinxdxBreak offsinx.=cos8x(sin2x)2sinxdxRewritesin4x=(sin2x)2.=cos8x(1cos2x)2sinxdxSubstitutesin2x=1cos2x.=u8(1u2)2(du)Letu=cosxanddu=sinxdx.=(u8+2u10u12)duExpand.=19u9+211u11113u13+CEvaluate the integral.=19cos9x+211cos11x113cos13x+C.Substituteu=cosx.
Integrating cosjxsinkxdx where k and j are Even

Evaluate sin4xdx.

Since the power on sinx is even (k=4) and the power on cosx is even (j=0), we must use strategy 3. Thus,

sin4xdx=(sin2x)2dxRewritesin4x=(sin2x)2.=(1212cos(2x))2dxSubstitutesin2x=1212cos(2x).=(1412cos(2x)+14cos2(2x))dxExpand(1212cos(2x))2.=(1412cos(2x)+14(12+12cos(4x))dx.

Since cos2(2x) has an even power, substitute cos2(2x)=12+12cos(4x):

=(3812cos(2x)+18cos(4x))dxSimplify.=38x14sin(2x)+132sin(4x)+CEvaluate the integral.

Evaluate cos3xdx.

sinx13sin3x+C

Hint

Use strategy 2. Write cos3x=cos2xcosx and substitute cos2x=1sin2x.

Evaluate cos2(3x)dx.

12x+112sin(6x)+C

Hint

Use strategy 3. Substitute cos2(3x)=12+12cos(6x)

In some areas of physics, such as quantum mechanics, signal processing, and the computation of Fourier series, it is often necessary to integrate products that include sin(ax), sin(bx), cos(ax), and cos(bx). These integrals are evaluated by applying trigonometric identities, as outlined in the following rule.

Rule: Integrating Products of Sines and Cosines of Different Angles

To integrate products involving sin(ax), sin(bx), cos(ax), and cos(bx), use the substitutions

sin(ax)sin(bx)=12cos((ab)x)12cos((a+b)x)3.3
sin(ax)cos(bx)=12sin((ab)x)+12sin((a+b)x)3.4
cos(ax)cos(bx)=12cos((ab)x)+12cos((a+b)x)3.5

These formulas may be derived from the sum-of-angle formulas for sine and cosine.

Evaluating sin(ax)cos(bx)dx

Evaluate sin(5x)cos(3x)dx.

Apply the identity sin(5x)cos(3x)=12sin(2x)+12sin(8x). Thus,

sin(5x)cos(3x)dx=12sin(2x)dx+12sin(8x)dx=14cos(2x)116cos(8x)+C.

Evaluate cos(6x)cos(5x)dx.

12sinx+122sin(11x)+C

Hint

Substitute cos(6x)cos(5x)=12cosx+12cos(11x).

Integrating Products and Powers of tanx and secx

Before discussing the integration of products and powers of tanx and secx, it is useful to recall the integrals involving tanx and secx we have already learned:

  1. sec2xdx=tanx+C
  2. secxtanxdx=secx+C
  3. tanxdx=ln|secx|+C
  4. secxdx=ln|secx+tanx|+C.

For most integrals of products and powers of tanx and secx, we rewrite the expression we wish to integrate as the sum or difference of integrals of the form tanjxsec2xdx or secjxtanxdx. As we see in the following example, we can evaluate these new integrals by using u-substitution.

Evaluating secjxtanxdx

Evaluate sec5xtanxdx.

Start by rewriting sec5xtanx as sec4xsecxtanx.

sec5xtanxdx=sec4xsecxtanxdxLetu=secx;then,du=secxtanxdx.=u4duEvaluate the integral.=15u5+CSubstitutesecx=u.=15sec5x+C

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Evaluate tan5xsec2xdx.

16tan6x+C

Hint

Let u=tanx and du=sec2x.

We now take a look at the various strategies for integrating products and powers of secx and tanx.

Integrating tankxsecjxdx

To integrate tankxsecjxdx, use the following strategies:

  1. If j is even and j2, rewrite secjx=secj2xsec2x and use sec2x=tan2x+1 to rewrite secj2x in terms of tanx. Let u=tanx and du=sec2xdx.
  2. If k is odd and j1, rewrite tankxsecjx=tank1xsecj1xsecxtanx and use tan2x=sec2x1 to rewrite tank1x in terms of secx. Let u=secx and du=secxtanxdx. (Note: If j is even and k is odd, then either strategy 1 or strategy 2 may be used.)
  3. If k is odd where k3 and j=0, rewrite tankx=tank2xtan2x=tank2x(sec2x1)=tank2xsec2xtank2x. It may be necessary to repeat this process on the tank2x term.
  4. If k is even and j is odd, then use tan2x=sec2x1 to express tankx in terms of secx. Use integration by parts to integrate odd powers of secx.
Integrating tankxsecjxdx when j is Even

Evaluate tan6xsec4xdx.

Since the power on secx is even, rewrite sec4x=sec2xsec2x and use sec2x=tan2x+1 to rewrite the first sec2x in terms of tanx. Thus,

tan6xsec4xdx=tan6x(tan2x+1)sec2xdxLetu=tanxanddu=sec2xdx.=u6(u2+1)duExpand.=(u8+u6)duEvaluate the integral.=19u9+17u7+CSubstitutetanx=u.=19tan9x+17tan7x+C.
Integrating tankxsecjxdx when k is Odd

Evaluate tan5xsec3xdx.

Since the power on tanx is odd, begin by rewriting tan5xsec3x=tan4xsec2xsecxtanx. Thus,

tan5xsec3x=tan4xsec2xsecxtanx.Writetan4x=(tan2x)2.tan5xsec3xdx=(tan2x)2sec2xsecxtanxdxUsetan2x=sec2x1.=(sec2x1)2sec2xsecxtanxdxLetu=secxanddu=secxtanxdx.=(u21)2u2duExpand.=(u62u4+u2)duIntegrate.=17u725u5+13u3+CSubstitutesecx=u.=17sec7x25sec5x+13sec3x+C.
Integrating tankxdx where k is Odd and k3

Evaluate tan3xdx.

Begin by rewriting tan3x=tanxtan2x=tanx(sec2x1)=tanxsec2xtanx. Thus,

tan3xdx=(tanxsec2xtanx)dx=tanxsec2xdxtanxdx=12tan2xln|secx|+C.

For the first integral, use the substitution u=tanx. For the second integral, use the formula.

Integrating sec3xdx

Integrate sec3xdx.

This integral requires integration by parts. To begin, let u=secx and dv=sec2xdx. These choices make du=secxtanx and v=tanx. Thus,

sec3xdx=secxtanxtanxsecxtanxdx=secxtanxtan2xsecxdxSimplify.=secxtanx(sec2x1)secxdxSubstitutetan2x=sec2x1.=secxtanx+secxdxsec3xdxRewrite.=secxtanx+ln|secx+tanx|sec3xdx.Evaluatesecxdx.

We now have

sec3xdx=secxtanx+ln|secx+tanx|sec3xdx.

Since the integral sec3xdx has reappeared on the right-hand side, we can solve for sec3xdx by adding it to both sides. In doing so, we obtain

2sec3xdx=secxtanx+ln|secx+tanx|.

Dividing by 2, we arrive at

sec3xdx=12secxtanx+12ln|secx+tanx|+C.

Evaluate tan3xsec7xdx.

19sec9x17sec7x+C

Reduction Formulas

Evaluating secnxdx for values of n where n is odd requires integration by parts. In addition, we must also know the value of secn2xdx to evaluate secnxdx. The evaluation of tannxdx also requires being able to integrate tann2xdx. To make the process easier, we can derive and apply the following power reduction formulas. These rules allow us to replace the integral of a power of secx or tanx with the integral of a lower power of secx or tanx.

Rule: Reduction Formulas for secnxdx and tannxdx
secnxdx=1n1secn2xtanx+n2n1secn2xdx3.6
tannxdx=1n1tann1xtann2xdx3.7

The first power reduction rule may be verified by applying integration by parts. The second may be verified by following the strategy outlined for integrating odd powers of tanx.

Revisiting sec3xdx

Apply a reduction formula to evaluate sec3xdx.

By applying the first reduction formula, we obtain

sec3xdx=12secxtanx+12secxdx=12secxtanx+12ln|secx+tanx|+C.
Using a Reduction Formula

Evaluate tan4xdx.

Applying the reduction formula for tan4xdx we have

tan4xdx=13tan3xtan2xdx=13tan3x(tanxtan0xdx)Apply the reduction formula totan2xdx.=13tan3xtanx+1dxSimplify.=13tan3xtanx+x+C.Evaluate1dx.

Apply the reduction formula to sec5xdx.

sec5xdx=14sec3xtanx+34sec3x

Hint

Use reduction formula 1 and let n=5.

Key Concepts

Key Equations

To integrate products involving sin(ax), sin(bx), cos(ax), and cos(bx), use the substitutions.

Sine Productssin(ax)sin(bx)=12cos((ab)x)12cos((a+b)x)
Sine and Cosine Productssin(ax)cos(bx)=12sin((ab)x)+12sin((a+b)x)
Cosine Productscos(ax)cos(bx)=12cos((ab)x)+12cos((a+b)x)
Power Reduction Formulasecnx dx=secn-2x tan xn1+n2n1secn2xdx;n1
Power Reduction Formulatannxdx=1n1tann1xtann2xdx

.

Fill in the blank to make a true statement.

sin2x+_______=1

cos2x

sec2x1=_______

Use an identity to reduce the power of the trigonometric function to a trigonometric function raised to the first power.

sin2x=_______

1cos(2x)2

cos2x=_______

Evaluate each of the following integrals by u-substitution.

sin3xcosxdx

sin4x4+C

cosxsinxdx

tan5(2x)sec2(2x)dx

112tan6(2x)+C

sin7(2x)cos(2x)dx

tan(x2)sec2(x2)dx

(x2)x2+C1 or sec2x2+C2

tan2xsec2xdx

Compute the following integrals using the guidelines for integrating powers of trigonometric functions. Use a CAS to check the solutions. (Note: Some of the problems may be done using techniques of integration learned previously.)

sin3xdx

cosx+13cos3x+C

cos3xdx

sinxcosxdx

12cos2x+C or 12sin2x+C

cos5xdx

sin5xcos2xdx

13cos3x+25cos5x17cos7x+C

sin3xcos3xdx

sinxcosxdx

23(sinx)32+C

sinxcos3xdx

secxtanxdx

secx+C

tan(5x)dx

tan2xsecxdx

12secxtanx12ln(secx+tanx)+C

tanxsec3xdx

sec4xdx

2tanx3+13sec(x)2tanx =tanx+tan3x3+C

cotxdx

cscxdx

ln|cotx+cscx|+C

tan3xsecxdx

For the following exercises, find a general formula for the integrals.

sin2axcosaxdx

sin3(ax)3a+C

sinaxcosaxdx.

Use the double-angle formulas to evaluate the following integrals.

0πsin2xdx

π2

0πsin4xdx

cos23xdx

x2+112sin(6x)+C

sin2xcos2xdx

sin2xdx+cos2xdx

x+C

sin2xcos2(2x)dx

For the following exercises, evaluate the definite integrals. Express answers in exact form whenever possible.

02πcosxsin2xdx

0

0πsin3xsin5xdx

0πcos(99x)sin(101x)dx

0

ππcos2(3x)dx

02πsinxsin(2x)sin(3x)dx

0

04πcos(x/2)sin(x/2)dx

π/6π/3cos3xsinxdx (Round this answer to three decimal places.)

Approximately 0.239

π/3π/3sec2x1dx

0π/21cos(2x)dx

2

Find the area of the region bounded by the graphs of the equations y=sinx,y=sin3x,x=0,andx=π2.

Find the area of the region bounded by the graphs of the equations y=cos2x,y=sin2x,x=π4,andx=π4.

1.0

A particle moves in a straight line with the velocity function v(t)=sin(ωt)cos2(ωt). Find its position function x=f(t) if f(0)=0.

Find the average value of the function f(x)=sin2xcos3x over the interval [π,π].

0

For the following exercises, solve the differential equations.

dydx=sin2x. The curve passes through point (0,0).

dydθ=sin4(πθ)

3θ814πsin(2πθ)+132πsin(4πθ)+C=f(x)

Find the length of the curve y=ln(cscx),π4xπ2.

Find the length of the curve y=ln(sinx),π3xπ2.

ln(3)

Find the volume generated by revolving the curve y=cos(3x) about the x-axis, 0xπ36.

For the following exercises, use this information: The inner product of two functions f and g over [a,b] is defined by f(x)·g(x)=f,g=abf·gdx. Two distinct functions f and g are said to be orthogonal if f,g=0.

Show that {sin(2x),cos(3x)} are orthogonal over the interval [π,π].

ππsin(2x)cos(3x)dx=0

Evaluate ππsin(mx)cos(nx)dx.

Integrate y=tanxsec4x.

tan(x)(8tanx21+27secx2tanx)+C=f(x)

For each pair of integrals, determine which one is more difficult to evaluate. Explain your reasoning.

sin456xcosxdx or sin2xcos2xdx

tan350xsec2xdx or tan350xsecxdx

The second integral is more difficult because the first integral is simply a u-substitution type.

Glossary

power reduction formula
a rule that allows an integral of a power of a trigonometric function to be exchanged for an integral involving a lower power
trigonometric integral
an integral involving powers and products of trigonometric functions