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Ch. 8 - Integration Techniques
Briggs - Calculus: Early Transcendentals 3rd Edition
Briggs3rd EditionCalculus: Early TranscendentalsISBN: 9780136847243Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 8, Problem 8.R.84

82-88. Improper integrals Evaluate the following integrals or show that the integral diverges.
84. ∫ (from 0 to π) sec²x dx*(Note: Potential improperness at x = π/2)*

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Identify the integral to evaluate: \(\int_0^{\pi} \sec^2 x \, dx\). Notice that \(\sec^2 x = \frac{1}{\cos^2 x}\), and the function has a potential vertical asymptote where \(\cos x = 0\), which occurs at \(x = \frac{\pi}{2}\) within the interval \([0, \pi]\).
Since the integrand is not defined at \(x = \frac{\pi}{2}\), split the integral into two improper integrals at this point: \(\int_0^{\pi} \sec^2 x \, dx = \int_0^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \sec^2 x \, dx + \int_{\frac{\pi}{2}}^{\pi} \sec^2 x \, dx\).
Rewrite each integral as a limit to handle the improper behavior: \(\int_0^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \sec^2 x \, dx = \lim_{t \to \frac{\pi}{2}^-} \int_0^t \sec^2 x \, dx\) and \(\int_{\frac{\pi}{2}}^{\pi} \sec^2 x \, dx = \lim_{s \to \frac{\pi}{2}^+} \int_s^{\pi} \sec^2 x \, dx\).
Find the antiderivative of \(\sec^2 x\), which is \(\tan x\), and express each integral in terms of \(\tan x\): \(\int \sec^2 x \, dx = \tan x + C\).
Evaluate the limits for each integral using the antiderivative: compute \(\lim_{t \to \frac{\pi}{2}^-} (\tan t - \tan 0)\) and \(\lim_{s \to \frac{\pi}{2}^+} (\tan \pi - \tan s)\), then analyze whether these limits converge or diverge to determine the behavior of the original integral.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Improper Integrals

Improper integrals occur when the interval of integration is infinite or the integrand has an infinite discontinuity within the interval. To evaluate them, one must use limits to approach the problematic point and determine if the integral converges or diverges.
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