Simple Integrations in Mathematica
- To: MATHGROUP at yoda.physics.unc.edu
- Subject: Simple Integrations in Mathematica
- From: wasfy at nic.gac.edu (Michael Wasfy Nicolas Ibrahim)
- Date: Tue, 23 Mar 93 21:54:30 CST
Hello, I am helping with a couple calculus classes in which we are
trying to encourage beginning students to use Mathematica to their
benefit. Unfortunately students tend to be daunted when they
encounter the following:
============================================
In[1]:= Integrate[(1+Sin[x])/Cos[x]^2,x]
x
2 Sin[-]
2
Out[1]= ---------------
x x
Cos[-] - Sin[-]
2 2
In[2]:= Integrate[(1+Sin[x])/Cos[x]^2,{x,0,Pi/4}]
5/4
(1 + I) (1 + (-1) )
Out[2]= ---------------------
1/4
-I + (-1)
============================================
As opposed to the simpler expected results Tan[x] + Sec[x] and
Sqrt[2] respectively. Is there an easy way to force these solutions?
(This by the way is only one example--it is not the only instance).
I recall a while ago someone had a similar question relating to the
suppression of special functions. I don't recall the answer to that
question, but I seem to remember it wasn't trivial. Well, anyways
any suggestions to make the answers look slightly more friendly for
students would be greatly appreciated.
Michael Ibrahim
wasfy at nic.gac.edu
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