# How to integrate $\int\frac{1}{1+\cos{x}}\ dx$?

I've looked at wolfram alpha for a possible solution, but it does something that makes no sense to me... It says to let $u=\tan(\frac{x}{2})$ with no clear reason as to why...

So what would be a first step to approaching this? I've thought of converting it to $\frac{\sec{x}}{\sec{x}+1}$, but that seems to be fruitless...

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## 5 Answers

Hint:
$$1+\cos{x}=\sin^2{\frac{x}{2}}+\cos^2{\frac{x}{2}}+\cos^2{\frac{x}{2}}-\sin^2{\frac{x}{2}}=2\cos^2{\frac{x}{2}}$$

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The substitution $t=\tan(x/2)$ is a universally effective method of integrating a rational function of $\cos x$ and/or $\sin x$. It is usually called the Weierstrass Substitution. Please see the link for details.

The procedure reduces the problem of integrating a rational function of $\cos x$ and/or $\sin x$ to integrating a rational function of $t$.

However, in many situations, including this one, there are more efficient ways to proceed.

The quickest, in this case, is the substitution suggested by M. Strochyk.

Another way would be to multiply top and bottom by $1-\cos x$. We end up with $$\int \frac{1-\cos x}{\sin^2 x}\,dx.$$ So we need $\int \csc^2 x\,dx$ and $\int \frac{\cos x}{\sin^2 x}\,dx$, both reasonably familiar.

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I'll definitely have to look into this method. I don't recall being taught it, but it looks like it might be very helpful in the future. –  agent154 Mar 10 '13 at 20:03
The Weierstrass substitution always works. However, like an "all purpose" knife, it is not necessarily the best tool for every cutting task. –  André Nicolas Mar 10 '13 at 20:07

The substitution $u = \tan(x/2)$ is a useful one to know. It transforms the integral of any rational function of $\sin(x)$ and $\cos(x)$ into the integral of a rational function of $u$.

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I will try to explain wolfram alpha's method. You can use the formula for $$\cos2x=\frac{1-\tan^2(x)}{1+\tan^2(x)}$$

And for this question which converts to $$\cos x=\frac{1-\tan^2(x/2)}{1+\tan^2(x/2)}$$ and now, You can substitute $Y=\tan \frac{x}{2}$ and use the method for partial fraction or otherwise to solve the problem further by already known methods.

And in the end after integration substitute back $Y=\tan \frac{x}{2}$

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Hint:$$u=\tan\left(\frac{x}{2}\right)$$ then $$\int\frac{1}{1+\cos{x}}\ dx=\int\frac{\frac{2}{1+u^2}}{1+\frac{1-u^2}{1+u^2}}\ du=\int du=u+c=\tan\left(\frac{x}{2}\right)+c$$

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