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Indefinite integral via u-substitution

Evaluate the indefinite integral ∫sin⁡3(x)cos⁡(x) dx\int \sin^3(x)\cos(x)\,dx using the substitution u=sin⁡(x)u = \sin(x).

Hint

Let u=sin⁡(x)u = \sin(x). Compute dudu in terms of cos⁡(x) dx\cos(x)\,dx, rewrite the entire integral in terms of uu only, integrate, then substitute back to express your answer in terms of xx.

Step-by-step solution

Let u=sin⁡(x)u = \sin(x), so du=cos⁡(x) dxdu = \cos(x)\,dx. This means the factor cos⁡(x) dx\cos(x)\,dx in the original integral can be replaced directly by dudu, while sin⁡3(x)\sin^3(x) becomes u3u^3. The integral transforms into ∫u3 du\int u^3\,du, which contains only the variable uu.

Integrating gives ∫u3 du=u44+C\int u^3\,du = \frac{u^4}{4} + C. Substituting back u=sin⁡(x)u = \sin(x) yields the final answer in terms of xx.

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