Question

What should be done first when evaluating an integral containing a complicated trigonometric expression?

Options

• Replace every sine term with a cosine term.

• Integrate complicated trigonometric expressions directly.

• First inspect the pattern in the integrand.

• Always add the constant of integration before simplifying.

Answer 1

The first step is to inspect the pattern in the integrand. Recognizing a square, an even power, or a product can indicate which identity will simplify the integral.