Question

The problem is to evaluate the integral 10secxtanx dx, from -1/7 pi to 3/8 pi.

What I've done so far is evaluated the integral since secxtanx is a trig identity, so the integral of that is secx. I took out the 10 since it was a constant which leaves me with 10[sec(3/8)pi - sec(-1/7)pi]. Since those values aren't part of the unit circle, I put that in my calculator and came up with the answer 15.03209666, however the program that has my question is not accepting this answer. My calculator is in radians.

Answer 1

Please post the last sentence of the question.

Did the program ask you to give the answer to 4 places after the decimal, or does it ask you to give an exact answer?

Answer 2

The program is on the UT website, and it takes answers within 1% of the actual answer. And that's all to the question.

Answer 3

As far as I can see, your analytic answer and numerical approximation are both correct. It has to have something to do with the answering instructions. Does it have the capacity to accept the exact (analytic) answer?

Answer 4

Yes, it can take decimal places pretty far, even a rounded answer is still within 1% of the answer I received. So, I am unsure what the problem is, I am still awaiting an email from my professor and TA as to what could be the problem.

Answer 5

I agree with MathMate,
I got exactly the same answer right to the last decimal place.