JUST THE MATHS

SLIDES NUMBER
12.10
INTEGRATION 10
(Further reduction formulae)
by
A.J.Hobson
12.10.1
12.10.2
12.10.3
12.10.4

Integer powers of a sine

Integer powers of a cosine
Walliss formulae
Combinations of sines and cosines

UNIT 12.10 - INTEGRATION 10

FURTHER REDUCTION FORMULAE
INTRODUCTION
There are two definite integrals which are worthy of special consideration.
They are
Z

sin x dx and

cosnx dx.

First, we shall establish the reduction formulae for the

equivalent indefinite integrals.
12.10.1 INTEGER POWERS OF A SINE
Suppose that
In =

sinnx dx.

Writing the integrand as the product of two

functions,
In =

sinn1x sin x dx.

Using integration by parts, with

u = sinn1x and
n1

In = sin

x( cos x) +

dv
= sin x,
dx

(n 1)sinn2xcos2x dx.

But, cos2x 1 sin2x.

Hence,
In = sinn1x cos x + (n 1)[In2 In].
Thus,

1
n1
In = sin x cos x + (n 1)In2 .
n

EXAMPLE
Determine the indefinite integral
Z

sin6x dx.

Solution

1
5
I6 = sin x cos x + 5I4 .
6
2

But,

1
3
I4 = sin x cos x + 3I2 ,
4

I2 =

1
[ sin x cos x + I0]
2

and
I0 =

dx = x + A.

Hence,
I2 =

1
[ sin x cos x + x + A] ;
2

1
3
3
I4 = sin3x cos x sin x cos x + x + B ;
4
2
2

I6 =
1
5 3
15
15
5
sin x cos x
sin x cos x sin x cos x + x + C
6
4
8
8

1 5
5 3
5
5x
= sin x cos x sin x cos x sin x cos x+ +D.
6
24
16
16
3

12.10.2 INTEGER POWERS OF A COSINE

Suppose that
In =

cosnx dx.

Writing the integrand as the product of two

functions,
In =

cosn1x cos x dx.

Using integration by parts, with

u = cosn1x and
n1

In = cos

x sin x +

dv
= cos x,
dx

(n 1)cosn2xsin2x dx.

But, sin2x 1 cos2x.

Hence,
In = cosn1x sin x + (n 1)[In2 In],

1  n1
or In = cos x sin x + (n 1)In2 .
n

EXAMPLE
Determine the indefinite integral
Z

cos5x dx.

Solution

1 4
I5 = cos x sin x + 4I3 .
5

But,

1 2
I3 = cos x sin x + 2I1
3

and
I1 =

cos x dx = sin x + A.

Hence,

1 2
I3 = cos x sin x + 2 sin x + B ;
3

1 4
4 2
8

I5 = cos x sin x + cos x sin x + sin x + C

5
3
3

1
4
8
= cos4x sin x + cos2x sin x + sin x + D.
5
15
15
5

12.10.3 WALLISS FORMULAE

Here, we consider the definite integrals
Z

sin x dx and

cosnx dx.

Denoting either of these integrals by In, the

reduction formula (in both cases) reduces to
n1
In =
In2.
n
There are two versions of Walliss formulae
(a) n is an odd number
Repeated application of the reduction formula gives
In =

642
n1 n3 n5
.
.
. . . . . . .I1.
n n2 n4
753

But,
I1 =

sin x dx or I1 =

both of which have a value of 1.

cos x dx,

Therefore,
(n 1)(n 3)(n 5). . . . 6.4.2
In =
.
n(n 2)(n 4). . . . 7.5.3
(b) n is an even number
Repeated application of the reduction formula gives
n1 n3 n5
531
In =
.
.
. . . . . . .I0.
n n2 n4
642
But
Z

I0 =

dx = .
2

Therefore,
(n 1)(n 3)(n 5). . . . 5.3.1
In =
.
n(n 2)(n 4). . . . 6.4.2 2
EXAMPLES
1. Evaluate the definite integral
Z

sin5x dx.

Solution
4.2
8
= .
0 sin x dx =
5.3 15
2. Evaluate the definite integral
Z

cos4x dx.

Solution
Z

3.1 3
cos x dx =
= .
4.2 2
16
4

12.10.4 COMBINATIONS OF SINES AND COSINES

Walliss formulae may be applied to integrals of the form
Z

sinmxcosnx dx,

where either m or n (or both) is an even number.

We use sin2x 1 cos2x or cos2x 1 sin2x.
EXAMPLE
Evaluate the definite integral
Z

cos5xsin2x dx.

Solution
Z

=
=

0
Z

cos5xsin2x dx
5

cos x 1 cos x dx


cos x cos x dx.

This may be interpreted as

4.2 5.4.3
8
16
8
I5 I7 =

=
.
5.3 6.4.2 15 35 105