INTEGRALS INVOLVING TRIGONOMETRIC
FUNCTIONS
Lecturer:-
Vincent Nandwa Chiteri
University of Nairobi- Department of Mathematics
Lecture Notes (Slides)
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March 19, 2025
Lecturer:-Vincent Nandwa Chiteri (UoN) SMA3104 March 19, 2025 1 / 21
Trigonometric Integrals
Trigonometric integrals involve algebraic combinations of the six basic
trigonometric functions. In principle, we can always express such integrals
in terms of sines and cosines, but it is often simpler to work with other
functions, as in the integral
Z
sec2 x dx = tan x + C .
Many trigonometric functions can be integrated by combining substitution
and Integration by Parts with the appropriate trigonometric identities.
First, consider Z
sinm x cosn x dx
where m, n are whole numbers. The easier case is when at least one of
m, n is odd.
Lecturer:-Vincent Nandwa Chiteri (UoN) SMA3104 March 19, 2025 2 / 21
Odd Power of sin x
sin3 x dx
R
Evaluate
Solution: Because sin3 x is an odd power, the identity sin2 x = 1 − cos2 x
allows us to split off a factor of sin x dx:
Z Z Z
sin x dx = sin x(sin x dx) = (1 − cos2 x) sin x dx
3 2
Use the substitution u = cos x, du = − sin x dx:
Z Z Z
sin3 x dx = (1 − cos2 x) sin x dx = − (1 − u 2 ) du
Integrate with respect to u:
u3
Z
− (1 − u 2 ) du = −u + +C
3
Substitute back u = cos x:
cos3 x
Z
sin3 x dx = − cos x + C
3
Lecturer:-Vincent Nandwa Chiteri (UoN) SMA3104 March 19, 2025 3 / 21
Integrating sinm x cosn x
Strategies Based on the Powers of m and n
1. Case 1: m = 2k + 1 (odd) - Write sin2k+1 x as (1 − cos2 x)k sin x. -
Then:
Z Z
2k+1
sin x cos x dx = sin x(1 − cos2 x)k cosn x dx
n
- Substitute u = cos x, −du = sin x dx.
2. Case 2: n = 2k + 1 (odd) - Write cos2k+1 x as (1 − sin2 x)k cos x. -
Then:
Z Z
sinm x cos2k+1 x dx = sinm x(1 − sin2 x)k cos x dx
- Substitute u = sin x, du = cos x dx.
3. Case 3: m, n both even - Use reduction formulas to simplify the
integral.
Lecturer:-Vincent Nandwa Chiteri (UoN) SMA3104 March 19, 2025 4 / 21
Example 2: Odd Power of sin x or cos x
sin4 x cos5 x dx
R
Evaluate
Solution: We take advantage of the fact that cos5 x is an odd power to
write:
Z Z Z
sin x cos x dx = sin x cos x(cos x dx) = sin4 x(1−sin2 x)2 (cos x) dx
4 5 4 4
Use the substitution u = sin x, du = cos x dx:
Z Z Z
sin x cos x dx = u (1 − u ) du = (u 4 − 2u 6 + u 8 ) du
4 5 4 2 2
Integrate term by term:
u 5 2u 7 u 9
Z
(u 4 − 2u 6 + u 8 ) du = − + +C
5 7 9
Substitute back u = sin x:
sin5 x 2 sin7 x sin9 x
Z
sin4 x cos5 x dx = − + +C
5 7 9
Lecturer:-Vincent Nandwa Chiteri (UoN) SMA3104 March 19, 2025 5 / 21
Reduction Formulas for Sine and Cosine
Simplifying Integrals of Powers of sin x and cos x
1. Reduction Formula for sinn x:
n−1
Z Z
1
sinn x dx = − sinn−1 x cos x + sinn−2 x dx (1)
n n
2. Reduction Formula for cosn x:
n−1
Z Z
n 1 n−1
cos x dx = cos x sin x + cosn−2 x dx (2)
n n
Lecturer:-Vincent Nandwa Chiteri (UoN) SMA3104 March 19, 2025 6 / 21
sin4 x dx
R
Example 3: Evaluate
Using Reduction Formulas
Solution: Apply the reduction formula for sinn x (Eq. 1) with n = 4:
Z Z
1 3
sin4 x dx = − sin3 x cos x + sin2 x dx (3)
4 4
Apply the reduction formula again (Eq. 1) with n = 2:
Z Z
2 1 1 1 1
sin x dx = − sin x cos x + dx = − sin x cos x + x + C (4)
2 2 2 2
Substitute Eq. (4) into Eq. (3):
Z
1 3 3
sin4 x dx = − sin3 x cos x − sin x cos x + x + C
4 8 8
Note: Trigonometric integrals can be expressed in many ways due to
trigonometric identities. For example, a computer algebra system might
evaluate this integral as:
Z
1
sin4 x dx = (x − 8 sin 2x + sin 4x) + C
32
Lecturer:-Vincent Nandwa Chiteri (UoN) SMA3104 March 19, 2025 7 / 21
Integrating sinm x cosn x When Both m and n Are Even
Using Trigonometric Identities
1. Useful Identities:
1 1
sin2 x = (1 − cos 2x), cos2 x = (1 + cos 2x)
2 2
sin 2x = 2 sin x cos x, cos 2x = cos2 x − sin2 x
2. Integrals of sin2 x and cos2 x:
Z
x sin 2x x 1
sin2 x dx = − + C = − sin x cos x + C
2 4 2 2
Z
x sin 2x x 1
cos2 x dx = + + C = + sin x cos x + C
2 4 2 2
3. Method for sinm x cosn x dx When m and n Are Even: - Use the
R
identities above to reduce the powers of sin x and cos x. - Apply
integration techniques to the resulting expression.
Lecturer:-Vincent Nandwa Chiteri (UoN) SMA3104 March 19, 2025 8 / 21
Example 4: Even Powers of sin x and cos x
sin2 x cos4 x dx
R
Evaluate
Solution: Here m = 2 and n = 4. Since m < n, replace sin2 x with
1 − cos2 x:
Z Z Z Z
sin x cos x dx = (1−cos x) cos x dx = cos x dx− cos6 x dx
2 4 2 4 4
(5)
1. Apply Reduction Formula for cos6 x:
Z Z
1 5
cos6 x dx = cos5 x sin x + cos4 x dx
6 6
Substitute into Eq. (5):
Z Z Z
2 4 4 1 5 5 4
sin x cos x dx = cos x dx − cos x sin x + cos x dx
6 6
Simplify:
Z Z
1 1
sin2 x cos4 x dx = − cos5 x sin x + cos4 x dx
6 6
Lecturer:-Vincent Nandwa Chiteri (UoN) SMA3104 March 19, 2025 9 / 21
Cont’...
cos4 x dx: Apply the reduction formula for n = 4:
R
2. Evaluate
Z Z
4 1 3 3
cos x dx = cos x sin x + cos2 x dx
4 4
Apply the reduction formula for n = 2:
Z
1 1
cos2 x dx = cos x sin x + x + C
2 2
Combine results:
Z
1 3 3
cos4 x dx = cos3 x sin x + cos x sin x + x + C
4 8 8
Lecturer:-Vincent Nandwa Chiteri (UoN) SMA3104 March 19, 2025 10 / 21
Cont’...
3. Final Answer: Substitute back into the expression:
Z
sin2 x cos4 x dx
1 1 1 3 3
= − cos5 x sin x + cos3 x sin x + cos x sin x + x +C
6 6 4 8 8
.................(Eq.6)
Lecturer:-Vincent Nandwa Chiteri (UoN) SMA3104 March 19, 2025 11 / 21
Multiple Forms of Trigonometric Integrals
sin2 x cos4 x dx
R
Example:
1. Mathematica’s Result:
Z
1 1 1 1
sin2 x cos4 x dx = x + sin 2x − sin 4x − sin 6x
16 64 64 192
2. Our Result (Eq. 6):
Z
2 4 1 5 1 1 3 3 3
sin x cos x dx = − cos x sin x+ cos x sin x + cos x sin x + x +
6 6 4 8 8
Simplify:
Z
1 1 1 1
sin2 x cos4 x dx = − cos5 x sin x+ cos3 x sin x+ cos x sin x+ x+C
6 24 16 16
3. Agreement: - Trigonometric identities show that both forms are
equivalent. - Different forms arise due to the use of different identities and
simplification methods.
Lecturer:-Vincent Nandwa Chiteri (UoN) SMA3104 March 19, 2025 12 / 21
Example 5: Integral of Tangent and Secant
Derive the Formulas
1. Integral of tan x:
Z
tan x dx = ln | sec x| + C
Solution: Use the substitution u = cos x, du = − sin x dx:
Z Z Z
sin x du
tan x dx = dx = − = − ln |u| + C = − ln | cos x| + C
cos x u
Simplify using logarithmic properties:
1
− ln | cos x| + C = ln + C = ln | sec x| + C
cos x
Lecturer:-Vincent Nandwa Chiteri (UoN) SMA3104 March 19, 2025 13 / 21
Cont’...
2. Integral of sec x:
Z
sec x dx = ln | sec x + tan x| + C
Solution: Use the substitution u = sec x + tan x. Then:
du = (sec x tan x + sec2 x) dx = sec x(tan x + sec x) dx = sec x · u dx
Rearrange:
du
= sec x dx
u
Integrate:
Z Z
du
sec x dx = = ln |u| + C = ln | sec x + tan x| + C
u
Lecturer:-Vincent Nandwa Chiteri (UoN) SMA3104 March 19, 2025 14 / 21
Example 6: Using a Table of Integrals
R π/4
Evaluate 0
tan3 x dx
Solution: Use the reduction formula for tank x with k = 3:
tan2 x
Z Z
tan3 x dx = − tan x dx
2
Evaluate from 0 to π/4:
Z π/4 2 π/4
tan x
tan3 x dx = − ln | sec x|
0 2 0
Substitute the limits:
π 1
1 2 π
2
= tan − ln sec − tan 0 − ln | sec 0|
2 4 4 2
Simplify:
√
1 2 1 2
= (1) − ln 2 − (0) − ln 1
2 2
1 √
= − ln 2
2
Lecturer:-Vincent Nandwa Chiteri (UoN) SMA3104 March 19, 2025 15 / 21
R
Example 7: Evaluate tan2 x sec3 x dx
Integrating tanm x secn x
tan2 x sec3 x dx falls under Case 3:
R
Solution: The integral
Case 3: m even and n odd
Use the identity tan2 x = sec2 x − 1:
Z Z Z Z
tan2 x sec3 x dx = (sec2 x−1) sec3 x dx = sec5 x dx− sec3 x dx (7)
1. Apply Reduction Formula for sec5 x:
tan x sec3 x
Z Z
3
sec5 x dx = + sec3 x dx
4 4
Substitute into Eq. (7):
tan x sec3 x
Z Z Z
2 3 3
tan x sec x dx = + sec x dx − sec3 x dx
3
4 4
Lecturer:-Vincent Nandwa Chiteri (UoN) SMA3104 March 19, 2025 16 / 21
Cont’...
Simplify:
Z Z
1 1
tan2 x sec3 x dx = tan x sec3 x − sec3 x dx (8)
4 4
2. Apply Reduction Formula for sec3 x:
Z
1 1
sec3 x dx = tan x sec x + ln | sec x + tan x| + C
2 2
Substitute into Eq. (8):
Z
2 3 1 3 1 1 1
tan x sec x dx = tan x sec x− tan x sec x + ln | sec x + tan x| +
4 4 2 2
Simplify:
Z
1 1 1
tan2 x sec3 x dx = tan x sec3 x − tan x sec x − ln | sec x + tan x| + C
4 8 8
Lecturer:-Vincent Nandwa Chiteri (UoN) SMA3104 March 19, 2025 17 / 21
Integrating tanm x secn x
Strategies Based on the Powers of m and n
1. Case 1: m = 2k + 1 (odd) and n ≥ 1 - Use the identity
tan2 x = sec2 x − 1 to write:
tan2k+1 x secn x = (sec2 x − 1)k (secn−1 x)(sec x tan x)
- Substitute u = sec x, du = sec x tan x dx to obtain an integral involving
powers of u.
2. Case 2: n = 2k (even) - Use the identity sec2 x = 1 + tan2 x to write:
tanm x secn x = (tanm x)(1 + tan2 x)k−1 sec2 x
- Substitute u = tan x, du = sec2 x dx to obtain an integral involving
powers of u.
3. Case 3: m even and n odd - Use the identity tan2 x = sec2 x − 1 to
write:
tanm x secn x = (sec2 x − 1)m/2 secn x
- Expand to obtain an integral involving powers of sec x and use the
reduction formula for integral of secn x.
Lecturer:-Vincent Nandwa Chiteri (UoN) SMA3104 March 19, 2025 18 / 21
Reduction Formulas for Trigonometric Integrals
Key Formulas for Integration
tanm−1 x
Z Z
m
tan x dx = − tanm−2 x dx
m−1
Z
cot x dx = − ln | csc x| + C = ln | sin x| + C
cotm−1 x
Z Z
m
cot x dx = − − cotm−2 x dx
m−1
Z
sec x dx = ln | sec x + tan x| + C
tan x secm−2 x m−2
Z Z
secm x dx = + secm−2 x dx
m−1 m−1
Z
csc x dx = ln | csc x − cot x| + C
cot x cscm−2 x m−2
Z Z
cscm x dx = − + cscm−2 x dx
m−1 m−1
Lecturer:-Vincent Nandwa Chiteri (UoN) SMA3104 March 19, 2025 19 / 21
Cont’...
Z
cot x dx = − ln | csc x| + C = ln | sin x| + C (17)
cotm−1 x
Z Z
m
cot x dx = − − cotm−2 x dx
m−1
Z
sec x dx = ln | sec x + tan x| + C
tan x secm−2 x m−2
Z Z
m
sec x dx = + secm−2 x dx
m−1 m−1
Z
csc x dx = ln | csc x − cot x| + C
cot x cscm−2 x m−2
Z Z
cscm x dx = − + cscm−2 x dx
m−1 m−1
Lecturer:-Vincent Nandwa Chiteri (UoN) SMA3104 March 19, 2025 20 / 21
THANK YOU
Lecturer:-Vincent Nandwa Chiteri (UoN) SMA3104 March 19, 2025 21 / 21
