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1. Integration of trigonometric functions

Task
Write
Z down the following
Z integrals: Z Z
(a) sin x dx, (b) cos x dx, (c) sin 2x dx, (d) cos 2x dx

Your solution
(a) (b)

(c) (d)

Answer
1 1
(a) − cos x + c, (b) sin x + c, (c) − cos 2x + c, (d) sin 2x + c.
2 2

The basic rules from which these results can be derived are summarised here:

Key Point 8
Z Z
cos kx sin kx
sin kx dx = − +c cos kx dx = +c
k k

In engineering applications it is often necessary to integrate functions involving powers of the trigono-
metric functions such as
Z Z
2
sin x dx or cos2 ωt dt

Note that these integrals cannot be obtained directly from the formulas in Key Point 8 above.
However, by making use of trigonometric identities, the integrands can be re-written in an alternative
form. It is often not clear which identities are useful and each case needs to be considered individually.
Experience and practice are essential. Work through the following Task.

HELM (2008): 49
Section 13.6: Integration of Trigonometric Functions
 Task
1
Use the trigonometric identity sin2 θ ≡ (1 − cos 2θ) to express the integral
Z 2
2
sin x dx in an alternative form and hence evaluate it.

(a) First use the identity:

Answer Z
1
The integral can be written (1 − cos 2x)dx.
2
Note that the trigonometric identity is used to convert a power of sin x into a function involving
cos 2x which can be integrated directly using Key Point 8.
(b) Now evaluate the integral:
Your solution

Answer
1
x − 12 sin 2x + c = 21 x − 14 sin 2x + K where K = c/2.


2

Task Z
Use the trigonometric identity sin 2x ≡ 2 sin x cos x to find sin x cos x dx

(a) First use the identity:

Answer
1
The integrand can be written as 2
sin 2x
(b) Now evaluate the integral:
Your solution

Answer
Z 2π Z 2π  2π
1 1 1 1 1 1
sin x cos x dx = sin 2x dx = − cos 2x + c = − cos 4π + cos 0 = − + = 0
0 0 2 4 0 4 4 4 4

This result is one example of what are called orthogonality relations.

50 HELM (2008):
Workbook 13: Integration
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Engineering Example 3

Magnetic flux

Introduction
The magnitude of the magnetic flux density on the axis of a solenoid, as in Figure 13, can be found
by the integral:
Z β2
µ0 nI
B= sin β dβ
β1 2
where µ0 is the permeability of free space (≈ 4π × 10−7 H m−1 ), n is the number of turns and I is
the current.

β2 β1

Figure 13: A solenoid and angles defining its extent

Problem in words
Predict the magnetic flux in the middle of a long solenoid.
Mathematical statement of the problem
We assume that the solenoid is so long that β1 ≈ 0 and β2 ≈ π so that
Z β2 Z π
µ0 nI µ0 nI
B= sin β dβ ≈ sin β dβ
β1 2 0 2
Mathematical analysis
µ0 nI
The factor can be taken outside the integral i.e.
2
π
µ0 nI π
Z 
µ0 nI µ0 nI
B= sin β dβ = − cos β = (− cos π + cos 0)
2 0 2 0 2
µ0 nI
= (−(−1) + 1) = µ0 nI
2
Interpretation
The magnitude of the magnetic flux density at the midpoint of the axis of a long solenoid is predicted
to be approximately µ0 nI i.e. proportional to the number of turns and proportional to the current
flowing in the solenoid.

HELM (2008): 51
Section 13.6: Integration of Trigonometric Functions
4. Harder trigonometric integrals
The following seemingly innocent integrals are examples, important in engineering, of trigonometric
integrals that cannot be evaluated as indefinite integrals:

Z Z
2
(a) sin(x ) dx and cos(x2 ) dx These are called Fresnel integrals.
Z
sin x
(b) dx This is called the Sine integral.
x

Definite integrals of this type, which are what normally arise in applications, have to be evaluated
by approximate numerical methods.

Fresnel integrals with limits arise in wave and antenna theory and the Sine integral with limits in
filter theory.

It is useful sometimes to be able to visualize the definite integral. For example consider
Z t
sin x
F (t) = dx t>0
0 x
Z 0
sin x sin x
Clearly, F (0) = dx = 0. Recall the graph of against x, x > 0:
0 x x

sin x
x

t π 2π x

Figure 14

For any positive value of t, F (t) is the shaded area shown (the area interpretation of a definite integral
was covered earlier in this Workbook). As t increases from 0 to π, it follows that F (t) increases from
0 to a maximum value
Z π
sin x
F (π) = dx
0 x
whose value could be determined numerically (it is actually about 1.85). As t further increases from
sin x
π to 2π the value of F (t) will decrease to a local minimum at 2π because the curve is below
x
the x-axis between π and 2π. Note that the area below the curve is considered to be negative in
this application.

Continuing to argue in this way we can obtain the shape of the F (t) graph in Figure 15: (can you

60 HELM (2008):
Workbook 13: Integration
 ®

see why the oscillations decrease in amplitude?)

F (t)
1.85

π
2

π 2π t

Figure 15
Z ∞
sin x π
The result dx = is clearly illustrated in the graph (you are not expected to know
0 x 2
how this result is obtained). Methods for solving such problems are dealt with in 31.

HELM (2008): 61
Section 13.6: Integration of Trigonometric Functions
 Exercises
You will need to refer to a Table of Trigonometric Identities to answer these questions.
Z Z π/2 Z
2 2
1. Find (a) cos xdx (b) cos tdt (c) (cos2 θ + sin2 θ)dθ
0
Z
2. Use the identity sin(A + B) + sin(A − B) ≡ 2 sin A cos B to find sin 3x cos 2xdx
Z
3. Find (1 + tan2 x)dx.

4. The mean square value of a function f (t) over the interval t = a to t = b is defined to be
Z b
1
(f (t))2 dt
b−a a

Find the mean square value of f (t) = sin t over the interval t = 0 to t = 2π.
Z
5. (a) Show that the reduction formula for Jn = cosn x dx is

1 (n − 1)
Jn = cosn−1 (x) sin x + Jn−2
n n
(b) Using the reduction formula in (a) show that
Z
1 4 8
cos5 x dx = cos4 x sin x + cos2 x sin x + sin x
5 15 15
Z π/2  
n n−1
(c) Show that if Jn = cos x dx, then Jn = Jn−2 (Wallis’ formula).
0 n
Z π/2
5
(d) Using Wallis’ formula show that cos6 x dx = π.
0 32
Answers

1. (a) 12 x + 41 sin 2x + c (b) π/4 (c) θ + c.

3. tan x + c.
1
4. 2
.

62 HELM (2008):
Workbook 13: Integration