How do you integrate tan^2(x)?

This is a question which tests your knowledge of how to use trigonometric identities as well as integration. As there is no way to immediately integrate tan^2(x) using well known trigonometric integrals and derivatives, it seems like a good idea would be writing tan^2(x) as sec^2(x) - 1.

Now, we can recognise sec^2(x) as the derivative of tan(x) (you can prove this using the quotient rule and the identity sin^2(x) + cos^2(x) = 1), while we get x when we integrate 1, so our final answer is tan(x) - x + c.

WL
Answered by Warren L. Maths tutor

90351 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

What are volumes of revolution and how are they calculated?


Find the equation of the normal to the curve 2x^3+3xy+2/y=0 at the point (1,-1)


Find the equation of the tangent to the curve y = 3x^2(x+2)^6 at the point (-1,3), in the form y = mx+c


Find the range of values of k for which x²+kx-3k<5 for some x, i.e. the curve y=x²+kx-3k goes below y=5


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences