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Ch. 5 - Integrals
Hass - Thomas' Calculus 15th Edition
Hass15th EditionThomas' CalculusISBN: 9780137616077Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 5, Problem 5.PE.62

Evaluate the integrals in Exercises 47–68.


∫₀ ^π tan² (θ/3) dθ

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1
Recognize that the integral is \( \int_0^{\pi} \tan^2 \left( \frac{\theta}{3} \right) d\theta \). The integrand involves \( \tan^2(x) \), which can be rewritten using a trigonometric identity to simplify the integration.
Recall the identity: \( \tan^2 x = \sec^2 x - 1 \). Use this to rewrite the integral as \( \int_0^{\pi} \left( \sec^2 \left( \frac{\theta}{3} \right) - 1 \right) d\theta \).
Split the integral into two separate integrals: \( \int_0^{\pi} \sec^2 \left( \frac{\theta}{3} \right) d\theta - \int_0^{\pi} 1 \, d\theta \).
Make a substitution to handle the integral involving \( \sec^2 \left( \frac{\theta}{3} \right) \). Let \( u = \frac{\theta}{3} \), so that \( d\theta = 3 du \). Adjust the limits of integration accordingly: when \( \theta = 0 \), \( u = 0 \), and when \( \theta = \pi \), \( u = \frac{\pi}{3} \).
Rewrite the integral in terms of \( u \): \( 3 \int_0^{\frac{\pi}{3}} \sec^2 u \, du - \int_0^{\pi} 1 \, d\theta \). Then, integrate \( \sec^2 u \) which is \( \tan u \), and integrate the constant 1 over \( \theta \).

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Key Concepts

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

Definite Integrals

A definite integral calculates the net area under a curve between two specified limits. It is represented as ∫_a^b f(x) dx, where a and b are the limits of integration. Evaluating definite integrals often involves finding an antiderivative and then applying the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.
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Trigonometric Identities

Trigonometric identities are equations involving trigonometric functions that hold true for all values in their domains. For example, the identity tan²x = sec²x - 1 helps simplify integrals involving tan²x by rewriting them in terms of sec²x, which has a straightforward antiderivative.
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Substitution Method

The substitution method simplifies integrals by changing variables to transform the integral into a more manageable form. For integrals like ∫ tan²(θ/3) dθ, substituting u = θ/3 helps adjust the limits and integrand, making the integral easier to evaluate.
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