MM 9 - Calculus 2

Techniques of Integration: Trigonometric Integrals

CASES 5-10
(Examples and Practice Exercises)

Junel Christian L. Dinapo

BSEd-Math 2A
MM 9 - Calculus 2
Wednesday-Thursday (12:00 NN-2:00 PM)
February 25, 2025
 Trigonometric Integrals
Technique of Integration

1 Introduction
In this note, we will continue discussing on the techniques of solving trigonometric inte-
grals where each function is raised to a power of more than one. In order for us to effectively
solve these integrals, recall the following trigonometric identities for tangent, cotangent,
secant and cosecant:
• Pythagorean Identities
tan2 x + 1 = sec2 x
1 + cot2 x = csc2 x

• Even and Odd Identities

tan (−x) = − tan x
cot (−x) = cot x
csc (−x) = − csc x
sec (−x) = sec x

Recall also the derivatives of trigonometric functions, particularly for tangent, cotangent,
secant, and cosecant. This will help us solving trigonometric integrals in the following cases.

(tan u)′ = sec2 u u′

(cot u)′ = − csc2 u u′
(sec u)′ = sec u tan u u′
(csc u)′ = − csc u cot u u′

2 Solving Trigonometric Integrals

Z Z
• Case 5: n
tan x dx or cotn x dx where n is a positive integer

To solve this trigonometric integral, factor out one tan2 x or cot2 x in the
integrand and express it using the Pythagorean identities tan2 x + 1 = sec2 x or
1 + cot2 x = csc2 x.
Examples:
Z
1. tan3 x dx

Solution: First, we factor out one tan2 x in the integrand.

Z Z
tan x dx = tan x tan2 x dx
3

1
 Next, we express tan2 x in terms of secant using the Pythagorean Identity
tan2 x + 1 = sec2 x; hence, tan2 x = sec2 x − 1.
Z Z
tan x tan x dx = tan x(sec2 x − 1) dx
2

Then we proceed on solving the integral.

Z Z
3
tan x dx = tan x tan2 x dx
Z
= tan x(sec2 x − 1) dx
Z Z
2
= tan x sec x dx − tan x dx

Let u = tan x. Then, du = sec2 x dx.

Z Z Z
3 2
tan x dx = tan x sec x dx − tan x dx
Z Z
= u du − tan x dx
1
= u2 − ln |sec x| + C
2
1
= tan2 x − ln |sec x| + C
2

Therefore,
1
Z
tan3 x dx = tan2 x − ln |sec x| + C
2

Z
2. cot4 3x dx

Solution: First, we factor out one cot2 3x in the integrand.

Z Z
cot 3x dx = cot2 3x cot2 3x dx
4

Next, we express cot2 3x in terms of cosecant using the Pythagorean Identity

1 + cot2 x = csc2 x; hence, cot2 3x = csc2 3x − 1.
Z Z
cot 3x cot 3x dx = cot2 3x[csc2 (3x) − 1] dx
2 2

Then we proceed on solving the integral.

Z Z
cot 3x dx = cot2 3x cot2 3x dx
4

Z
= cot2 3x[csc2 (3x) − 1] dx
Z Z
= cot 3x csc 3x dx − cot2 3x dx
2 2

Z
To solve cot2 3x dx, we will apply again the same procedure for this case.
Since the integrand is already raised by 2, we will proceed on expressing it in

2
 terms of cosecant using the same Pythagorean Identity.
Z Z Z
cot 3x dx = cot 3x csc 3x dx − cot2 3x dx
4 2 2

Z Z
= cot 3x csc 3x dx − [csc2 (3x) − 1] dx
2 2

Z Z Z
2 2 2
= cot 3x csc 3x dx − csc x dx + dx

Let u = cot 3x. Then, du = −3 csc2 3x dx which implies that − du

3
= csc2 3x dx.
Z Z Z Z
4 2 2 2
cot 3x dx = cot 3x csc 3x dx − csc x dx + dx
Z   Z   Z
2 du du
= u − − − + dx
3 3
Z Z Z
1 1
=− u2 du + du + dx
3 3
 
1 1 3 1
=− u + u+x+C
3 3 3
1 1
= − u3 + u + x + C
9 3
1 1
= − cot3 3x + cot3 3x + x + C
9 3
Therefore,
1 1
Z
cot4 3x dx = − cot3 3x + cot3 3x + x + C
9 3

Z Z
• Case 6: n
sec x dx or cscn x dx where n is a positive even integer

To solve this integral, we will follow the same procedure as in Case 5 but in-
stead of expressing sec2 x or csc2 x which was factored out in the integrand using the
Pythagorean Identities, we will express the remaining powers of secant or cosecant
into a power of 2 raised to n−2 2
. After which, we then express the inside function
using the Pythagorean Identity.
Examples:
Z
1. csc6 x dx

Solution: To solve this, we first factor out one csc2 x in the integrand.
Z Z
csc x dx = csc4 x csc2 x dx
6

Next, we will express the remaining powers of secant or cosecant into a power
of 2 raised to n−2
2
. Since n = 6, then n−22
= 6−2
2
= 2. So,
Z Z
csc4 x csc2 x dx = (csc2 x)2 csc2 x dx

Then, we express the inside function csc2 x using the Pythagorean Identity
1 + cot2 x = csc2 x.
Z Z
(csc x) csc x dx = (1 + cot2 x)2 csc2 x dx
2 2 2

3
 Expanding (1 + cot2 x)2 ,
Z Z
(1 + cot x) csc x dx = (1 + 2 cot2 x + cot4 x) csc2 x dx
2 2 2

Now we are ready to solve the integral.

Z Z
csc x dx = (1 + 2 cot2 x + cot4 x) csc2 x dx
6

Z
= (csc2 x + 2 cot2 x csc2 x + cot4 x csc2 x) dx
Z Z Z
= csc x dx + 2 cot x csc x dx + cot4 x csc2 x dx
2 2 2

Z Z Z
= csc x dx + 2 cot x csc x dx + cot4 x csc2 x dx
2 2 2

Let u = cot x. Then, du = − csc2 x dx which implies that −du = csc2 x dx.
Z Z Z Z
csc x dx = (−du) + 2 u (−du) + u4 (−du)
6 2

Z Z Z
= − du − 2 u du − u4 du
2

 
1 3 1
= −u − 2 u − u5 + C
3 5
2 1
= −u − u3 − u5 + C
3 5
2 1
= − cot x − cot3 x − cot5 x + C
3 5

Therefore,
2 1
Z
csc6 x dx = − cot x − cot3 x − cot5 x + C
3 5

sec4 (ln x)
Z
2. dx
x
Solution: We will use substitution technique to simplify the integrand. Let
u = ln x. Then, du = dx
x
.

sec4 (ln x)
Z Z
dx = sec4 u du
x

Then we can proceed on solving trigonometric integrals using the procedure in

this case.
sec4 (ln x)
Z Z
dx = sec4 u du
x
Z
= sec2 u sec2 u du
Z
= (tan2 u + 1) sec2 u du
Z
= (tan2 u sec2 u + sec2 u) du
Z Z
= tan u sec u du + sec2 u du
2 2

4
 Let v = tan u. Then, dv = sec2 u du.
sec4 (ln x)
Z Z Z
dx = tan u sec u du + sec2 u du
2 2
x
Z Z
2
= v dv + dv
1
= v3 + v + C
3
1
= tan3 u + tan u + C
3
1
= tan3 (ln x) + tan (ln x) + C
3

Therefore,
sec4 (ln x) 1
Z
dx = tan3 (ln x) + tan (ln x) + C
x 3

Z Z
• Case 7: n m
tan x sec x dx or cotn x cscm x dx where n is any positive integer and
m is a positive even integer
To solve this integral, we will only follow the same procedures given in Case 6.
Remember that in this case, only the trigonometric functions secant and cosecant
must have a positive even exponent.
Examples:
Z
1. tan5 x sec4 x dx

Solution: To solve this integral, we will just follow the same procedures given in
Case 6.
Z Z
tan x sec x dx = tan5 x sec2 x sec2 x dx
5 4

Z
= tan5 x(tan2 x + 1) sec2 x dx
Z
= (tan7 x sec2 x + tan5 x sec2 x) dx
Z Z
= tan x sec x dx + tan5 x sec2 x dx
7 2

Let u = tan x. Then, du = sec2 x dx.

Z Z Z
tan x sec x dx = tan x sec x dx + tan5 x sec2 x dx
5 4 7 2

Z Z
= u du + u5 du
7

1 1
= u8 + u6 + C
8 6
1 1
= tan8 x + tan6 x + C
8 6

Therefore,
1 1
Z
tan5 x sec4 x dx = tan8 x + tan6 x + C
8 6

5
 Z
2. cot2 (sin x) csc6 (sin x) cos x dx

Solution: First, we will use substitution method to simplify the integrand. Let
u = sin x. Then, du = cos x.
Z Z
cot (sin x) csc (sin x) cos x dx = cot2 u csc6 u du
2 6

Now we can proceed on using techniques in solving trigonometric integrals. For

this, we will use the same procedures given in Case 6.
Z Z
cot (sin x) csc (sin x) cos x dx = cot2 u csc6 u du
2 6

Z
= cot2 u csc4 u csc2 u du
Z
= cot2 u(csc2 u)2 csc2 u du
Z
= cot2 u(1 + cot2 u)2 csc2 u du
Z
= cot2 u(1 + 2 cot2 u + cot4 u) csc2 u du
Z
(cot2 u csc2 u + 2 cot4 u csc2 u+
=
cot6 u csc2 u) du
Z Z
cot u csc u du + 2 cot4 u csc2 u du+
2 2

= Z
cot6 u csc2 u du
Z Z
cot u csc u du + 2 cot4 u csc2 u du+
2 2

= Z
cot6 u csc2 u du

Let v = cot u. Then, dv = − csc2 u du which implies that −dv = csc2 u du.
Z Z
Z cot u csc u du + 2 cot4 u csc2 u du+
2 2

cot2 (sin x) csc6 (sin x) cos x dx = Z

cot6 u csc2 u du
Z Z Z
= v (−dv) + 2 v (−dv) + v 6 (−dv)
2 4

Z Z Z
= − v dv − v dv − v 6 dv
2 4

1 1 1
= − v3 − v5 − v7 + C
3 5 7
1 1 1
= − cot3 u − cot5 u − cot7 u + C
3 5 7
1 1
− cot3 (sin x) − cot5 (sin x)−
= 3 5
1
cot7 (sin x) + C
7

6
 Therefore,

1
Z
cot2 (sin x) csc6 (sin x) cos x dx = cot3 (sin x)−
3
1 1
cot5 (sin x) − cot7 (sin x) + C
5 7

Z Z
• Case 8: n m
tan x sec x dx or cotn x cscm x dx where n is a positive odd integer
and m is any positive integer
To solve this integral, factor out one secant and tangent function or one
cosecant and cotangent function. After that, express the remaining powers of
tangent or cotangent function into a power of 2 raised to n−1
2
. Then, express the
inside function using the Pythagorean Identity.
Examples:
Z
1. tan5 x sec7 x dx

Solution: First, we will factor out one secant and tangent function in the inte-
grand. Z Z
tan x sec x dx = tan4 x sec6 x(sec x tan x) dx
5 7

Then, we express the remaining powers of tangent into a power of 2 raised to

n−1
2
Since n = 5, then n−1
. 2
= 5−1
2
= 2. So,
Z Z
tan x sec x(sec x tan x) dx = (tan2 x)2 sec6 x(sec x tan x) dx
4 6

After that, we express tan2 x using the Pythagorean Identity tan2 x+1 = sec2 x;
hence, tan2 x = sec2 x − 1.
Z Z
(tan x) sec x(sec x tan x) dx = (sec2 x − 1)2 sec6 x(sec x tan x) dx
2 2 6

Now, we are ready to solve the integral.

Z Z
tan x sec x dx = (sec2 x − 1)2 sec6 x(sec x tan x) dx
5 7

Z
= (sec4 x − 2 sec2 x + 1) sec6 x(sec x tan x) dx
Z
[sec10 x(sec x tan x) − 2 sec8 x(sec x tan x)+
=
sec6 x(sec x tan x)] dx
Z Z
sec x(sec x tan x) dx − 2 sec8 x(sec x tan x) dx+
10

= Z
sec6 x(sec x tan x) dx
Z Z
sec x(sec x tan x) dx − 2 sec8 x(sec x tan x) dx+
10

= Z
sec6 x(sec x tan x) dx

7
 Let u = sec x. Then, du = sec x tan x dx
Z Z
Z sec x(sec x tan x) dx − 2 sec8 x(sec x tan x) dx+
10

tan5 x sec7 x dx = Z
sec6 x(sec x tan x) dx
Z Z Z
= u du − 2 u du + u6 du
10 8

 
1 11 1 9 1
= u −2 u + u7 + C
11 9 7
1 11 2 9 1 7
= u − u + u +C
11 9 7
1 2 1
= sec11 x − sec9 x + sec7 x + C
11 9 7

Therefore,
1 2 1
Z
tan5 x sec7 x dx = sec11 x − sec9 x + sec7 x + C
11 9 7

Z
2. cot3 x csc2 x dx

Solution: First, we will factor out one cosecant and cotangent function in the
integrand. Z Z
cot x csc x dx = cot2 x csc x(cot x csc x) dx
3 2

Then, we express cot2 x using the Pythagorean Identity 1 + cot2 x = csc2 x;

hence, cot2 x = csc2 x − 1.
Z Z
cot x csc x(cot x csc x) dx = (csc2 x − 1) csc x(csc x cot x) dx
2

Now we are ready to solve the integral.

Z Z
cot x csc x dx = (csc2 x − 1) csc x(csc x cot x) dx
3 2

Z
= [csc3 x(csc x cot x) − csc x(csc x cot x)] dx
Z Z
3
= csc x(csc x cot x) dx − csc x(csc x cot x) dx

Let u = csc x. Then, du = − csc x cot x dx which implies that

−du = csc x cot x dx.
Z Z Z
3 2 3
cot x csc x dx = csc x(csc x cot x) dx − csc x(csc x cot x) dx
Z Z
3
= u (−du) − u(−du)
Z Z
3
= − u du + u du
Z Z
= u du − u3 du
1 1
= u2 − u4 + C
2 4
1 1
= csc2 x − csc4 x + C
2 4
8
 Therefore,
1 1
Z
cot3 x csc2 x dx = csc2 x − csc4 x + C
2 4

Z Z
• Case 9: n
sec x dx or cscn x dx where n is a positive odd integer

To solve this integral, we will use the integration by parts technique. Recall its
formula:
Z Z
u dv = uv − v du

Always remember to let dv = sec2 x dx or dv = csc2 x dx; consequently,

u = secn−2 x or u = cscn−2 x.
Examples:
Z
1. sec3 x dx

Solution: To solve this integral, we will use integration by parts. Let u = sec x
and dv = sec2 x dx. Then, du = sec x tan x dx and v = tan x. Then, applying the
formula for integration by parts:
Z Z
3
sec x dx = sec x tan x − tan x sec x tan x dx
Z
= sec x tan x − tan2 x sec x dx

Z
We can solve the integral tan2 x sec x dx by expressing tan2 x using the
Pythagorean Identity tan2 x + 1 = sec2 x; hence, tan2 x = sec2 x − 1.
Z Z
sec x dx = sec x tan x − tan2 x sec x dx
3

Z
= sec x tan x − (sec2 x − 1) sec x dx
Z
= sec x tan x − (sec3 x − sec x) dx
Z Z
3
= sec x tan x − sec x dx − sec x dx

Z
Let I = sec3 x dx. Since,
Z Z Z
3 3
sec x dx = sec x tan x − sec x dx − sec x dx

Then,
Z
I = sec x tan x − I − sec x dx
Z
2I = sec x tan x − sec x dx

2I = sec x tan x − ln |sec x + tan x| + C

1 1
I = sec x tan x − ln |sec x + tan x| + C
2 2
9
 Therefore,
1 1
Z
sec3 x dx = sec x tan x − ln |sec x + tan x| + C
2 2

Z
2. csc5 x dx

Solution: To solve this integral, we will use integration by parts. Let u = csc3 x
and dv = csc2 x dx. Then, du = −3 csc2 x(csc x cot x) dx and v = − cot x. Then,
applying the formula for integration by parts:
Z
csc x dx = − csc x cot x − (− cot x)[−3 csc2 x(csc x cot x)] dx
5 3

Z
= − csc x cot x − 3 cot x csc2 x(csc x cot x) dx
3

Z
= − csc x cot x − 3 cot2 x csc3 x dx
3

Z
To solve the integral cot2 x csc3 x dx, we will express cot2 x using the
Pythagorean Identity 1 + cot2 x = csc2 x; hence, cot2 x = csc2 x − 1. So,
Z Z
csc x dx = − csc x cot x − 3 (csc2 x − 1) csc3 x dx
5 3

Z
= − csc x cot x − 3 (csc5 x − csc3 x) dx
3

Z Z
= − csc x cot x − 3 csc x dx + 3 csc3 x dx
3 5

Z
Let us solve the integral csc3 x dx separately. To solve this, we will apply
integration by parts. Let j = csc x and dz = csc2 x. Then, dj = − csc x cot x dx
and z = − cot x. So,
Z Z
3
csc x dx = − csc x cot x − (− cot x)(− csc x cot x) dx
Z
= − csc x cot x − csc x cot2 x dx
Z
= − csc x cot x − csc x(csc2 x − 1) dx
Z
= − csc x cot x − (csc3 x − csc x) dx
Z Z
3
= − csc x cot x − csc x dx + csc x dx

Z
Let K = csc3 x dx. Since,
Z Z Z
3 3
csc x dx = − csc x cot x − csc x dx + csc x dx

10
 Then,
Z
K = − csc x cot x − K + csc x dx
Z
2K = − csc x cot x + csc x dx

2K = − csc x cot x + ln |csc x − cot x|

1 1
K = − csc x cot x + ln |csc x − cot x|
Z 2 2
1 1
csc3 x dx = − csc x cot x + ln |csc x − cot x|
2 2

Substituting it, we see that:

Z Z Z
csc x dx = − csc x cot x − 3 csc x dx + 3 csc3 x dx
5 3 5

Z
− csc x cot x − 3 csc5 x dx+
3

=  
1 1
3 − csc x cot x + ln |csc x − cot x|
2 2
Z
− csc3 x cot x − 3 csc5 x dx−
=
3 3
csc x cot x + ln |csc x − cot x|
2 2
Z
Let I = csc5 x dx. Since,
Z Z
5 3 3 3
csc x dx = − csc x cot x − 3 csc5 x dx − csc x cot x + ln |csc x − cot x|
2 2

Then,
3 3
I = − csc3 x cot x − 3I − csc x cot x + ln |csc x − cot x|
2 2
3 3
4I = − csc3 x cot x − csc x cot x + ln |csc x − cot x| + C
2 2
1 3 3
I = − csc3 x cot x − csc x cot x + ln |csc x − cot x| + C
4 8 8

Therefore,
1 3 3
Z
csc5 x dx = − csc3 x cot x − csc x cot x + ln |csc x − cot x| + C
4 8 8

Z Z
• Case 10: n m
tan x sec x dx or cotn x cscm x dx where n is a positive even integer
and m is a positive odd integer.
To solve this integral, we express the tangent or cotangent function into a power
of 2 raised to n2 then we use Pythagorean Identities tangent and cotangent to rewrite
the inside function. After that we use the procedures given on Case 9.
Example:

11
 Z
1. tan2 x sec3 x dx

Solution: To solve this integral, first we express tan2 x using the Pythagorean
Identity tan2 x + 1 = sec2 x; hence, tan2 x = sec2 x − 1.
Z Z
tan x sec x dx = (sec2 x − 1) sec3 x dx
2 3

Z
= (sec5 x − sec3 x) dx (1)
Z Z
= sec x dx − sec3 x dx
5

Z
We will solve the integral sec5 x dx separately using the procedures given
on Case 9. For that, we will use integration by parts. Let u = sec3 x and
dv = sec2 x dx. Then, du = 3 sec2 x(sec x tan x) dx and v = tan x. Then, applying
the formula for integration by parts:
Z Z
sec x dx = sec x tan x − (tan x)[3 sec2 x(sec x tan x)] dx
5 3

Z
= sec x tan x − 3 tan x sec2 x(sec x tan x) dx
3

Z
= sec x tan x − 3 tan2 x sec3 x dx
3

Z
To solve the integral tan2 x sec3 x dx, we will express tan2 x using the
Pythagorean Identity tan2 x + 1 = sec2 x; hence, tan2 x = sec2 x − 1. So,
Z Z
sec x dx = sec x tan x − 3 (sec2 x − 1) sec3 x dx
5 3

Z
= sec x tan x − 3 (sec5 x − sec3 x) dx
3

Z Z
= sec x tan x − 3 sec x dx + 3 sec3 x dx
3 5

Z
Let K = sec5 x dx. Since,
Z Z Z
5 3 5
sec x dx = sec x tan x − 3 sec x dx + 3 sec3 x dx

Then,
Z
K = sec x tan x − 3K + 3 sec3 x dx
3

Z
4K = sec x tan x + 3 sec3 x dx
3

Z (2)
1 3 3
K = sec x tan x + sec3 x dx
4 4
Z Z
5 1 3 3
sec x = sec x tan x + sec3 x dx
4 4

Let us go back to Equation (1):

Z Z Z
tan x sec x dx = sec x dx − sec3 x dx
2 3 5

12
 Substituting Equation (2) to Equation (1):
Z Z Z
2 3 1 3 3
tan x sec x dx = sec x tan x + sec x dx − sec3 x dx
3
4 4
Z (3)
1 3 1
= sec x tan x − sec3 x dx
4 4
Z
Let us solve the integral sec3 x dx separately. To solve this, we will apply
integration by parts. Let j = sec x and dz = sec2 x. Then, dj = sec x tan x dx
and z = tan x. So,
Z Z
3
sec x dx = sec x tan x − (tan x)(sec x tan x) dx
Z
= sec x tan x − sec x tan2 x dx
Z
= sec x tan x − sec x(sec2 x − 1) dx
Z
= sec x tan x − (sec3 x − sec x) dx
Z Z
3
= sec x tan x − sec x dx + sec x dx

Z
Let L = sec3 x dx. Since,
Z Z Z
3 3
sec x dx = sec x tan x − sec x dx + sec x dx

Then,
Z
L = sec x tan x − L + sec x dx
Z
2L = sec x tan x + sec x dx

2L = sec x tan x + ln |sec x + tan x| (4)

1 1
L = sec x tan x + ln |sec x + tan x|
Z 2 2
1 1
sec3 x dx = sec x tan x + ln |sec x + tan x|
2 2

Substituting Equation (4) to Equation (3), we see that:

Z Z
2 3 1 3 1
tan x sec x dx = sec x tan x + sec3 x dx
4 2
 
1 3 1 1 1
= sec x tan x − sec x tan x + ln |sec x + tan x|
4 4 2 2
1 1 1
= sec3 x tan x − sec x tan x − ln |sec x + tan x|
4 8 8

Therefore,
1 1 1
Z
tan2 x sec3 x dx = sec3 x tan x − sec x tan x − ln |sec x + tan x|
4 8 8

13
3 Practice Exercises
Solve the following integrals.
Z Z
4
1. tan (2x − 1) dx 8. t sec2 (t2 ) tan3 (t2 ) dt
√
sec6 ( x)
Z Z
2. √ dx 9. sec x tan3 x dx
x
Z
3. sec4 θ tan4 θ dθ Z
10. tan2 x sec x dx
Z
4. tan3 (3x) sec5 (5x) dx Z
Z 11. sec7 x dx
5. tan5 (cos x) sec6 (cos x) sin x dx
Z
Z 12. tan8 x sec10 x dx
6 7
6. csc x cot x dx
√

3 sec6 3x + 1
Z
2
1 − tan x
Z
7. dx 13. √
dx
sec2 x 2 3x + 1

NOTE: Answers will be on the next file.

14