Question

Difficulty: MediumIndefinite Integration of Polynomial and Trigonometric Functions

A curve has a gradient function defined by dydx=12x36sin(3x)+4\frac{dy}{dx} = 12x^3 - 6\sin(3x) + 4. If the curve passes through the point (0,15)(0, 15), what is the value of the constant of integration CC?

Answer: 13

Answer

The constant of integration CC is 13.
Integrating 12x36sin(3x)+412x^3 - 6\sin(3x) + 4 with respect to xx yields y=3x4+2cos(3x)+4x+Cy = 3x^4 + 2\cos(3x) + 4x + C. Substituting x=0x = 0 and y=15y = 15 gives 15=3(0)4+2cos(0)+4(0)+C=2+C15 = 3(0)^4 + 2\cos(0) + 4(0) + C = 2 + C, which simplifies to C=13C = 13.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Integrate the gradient function to obtain the general equation of the curve.
y=3x4+2cos(3x)+4x+Cy = 3x^4 + 2\cos(3x) + 4x + C
The integral of 12x312x^3 is 3x43x^4, the integral of 6sin(3x)-6\sin(3x) is +2cos(3x)+2\cos(3x), and the integral of 44 is 4x4x.
2
Apply the initial condition (0,15)(0, 15) to solve for CC.
15=3(0)4+2cos(0)+4(0)+C15 = 3(0)^4 + 2\cos(0) + 4(0) + C
Substitute x=0x = 0 and y=15y = 15 into the integrated equation.
3
Calculate the numerical value of CC.
C=13C = 13
Since cos(0)=1\cos(0) = 1, the equation becomes 15=2+C15 = 2 + C, yielding C=13C = 13.

Key Concept

Indefinite Integration of Polynomial and Trigonometric Functions with Initial Conditions
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