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Ch. 8 - Techniques of Integration
Hass - Thomas' Calculus 15th Edition
Hass15th EditionThomas' CalculusISBN: 9780137616077Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 8, Problem 8.3.10

Evaluate the integrals in Exercises 1–22.
∫₀^(π/6) 3cos⁵(3x) dx

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1
Recognize that the integral is \( \int_0^{\frac{\pi}{6}} 3 \cos^5(3x) \, dx \). The constant 3 can be factored out: \( 3 \int_0^{\frac{\pi}{6}} \cos^5(3x) \, dx \).
Use the substitution \( u = 3x \), which implies \( du = 3 \, dx \) or \( dx = \frac{du}{3} \). Also, change the limits of integration: when \( x=0 \), \( u=0 \); when \( x=\frac{\pi}{6} \), \( u=\frac{\pi}{2} \).
Rewrite the integral in terms of \( u \): \( 3 \int_0^{\frac{\pi}{6}} \cos^5(3x) \, dx = 3 \int_0^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \cos^5(u) \cdot \frac{du}{3} = \int_0^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \cos^5(u) \, du \).
To integrate \( \cos^5(u) \), express it as \( \cos^4(u) \cos(u) \) and use the identity \( \cos^2(u) = 1 - \sin^2(u) \) to rewrite \( \cos^4(u) = (\cos^2(u))^2 = (1 - \sin^2(u))^2 \).
Use the substitution \( t = \sin(u) \), so \( dt = \cos(u) \, du \). The integral becomes \( \int_0^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \cos^5(u) \, du = \int_0^1 (1 - t^2)^2 \, dt \). Expand the integrand and integrate term-by-term.

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Key Concepts

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

Integration of Trigonometric Functions

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Trigonometric Power-Reduction Formulas

Power-reduction formulas express powers of sine or cosine in terms of functions with lower powers or multiple angles, making integration manageable. For example, cos^5(θ) can be rewritten using these formulas to simplify the integral.
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Definite Integration and Limits

Definite integration calculates the exact area under a curve between two bounds. After finding the antiderivative, you evaluate it at the upper and lower limits (here 0 and π/6) and subtract to get the final value.
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