# Math Help - How do I finish this evaluation of reduction formula?

1. ## How do I finish this evaluation of reduction formula?

I wanted to find a reduction formula for $\int_0^{\pi/4} tan^n x dx$

And I found this as $I_{n} = \frac{1}{n-1} - I_{n-2}$

I found $I_1$ as $\frac{ln2}{2}$ and the last thing I want to do is find, for example, $I_5$.

My working here is as follows:

$I_5 = \frac{1}{4} \int_0^{\pi/4} tan^3 x dx$
$I_3 = \frac{1}{2} \int_0^{\pi/4} tan x dx$

Which gave me

$I_5 = \frac{ln2}{8} - \frac{1}{8}$

Now I think that's wrong. I know I'm looking for an answer in the form

$a\ln2 - b$ where a and b are fractions, but I know my answer's wrong because it is negative - and I checked on wolfram alpha which gives a different integral. Could you please tell me what I have done wrong? Thanks if you can help me

2. it's actually $I_{n}=\frac{1}{n-1}-I_{n-2}.$

3. Originally Posted by Krizalid
it's actually $I_{n}=\frac{1}{n-1}-I_{n-2}.$
That was a typo there sorry! I've edited it now. By the way, everything I have done in the rest of the question was based on it being 2 rather than 1 - I know that the ln2/2 part is correct, I know it's after that where my answer falls apart.

4. $I_5 = \frac{1}
{4} - I_3 = \frac{1}
{4} - \left[ {\frac{1}
{2} - I_1 } \right] = - \frac{1}
{2} + I_1$

5. Originally Posted by Plato
$I_5 = \frac{1}
{4} - I_3 = \frac{1}
{4} - \left[ {\frac{1}
{2} - I_1 } \right] = - \frac{1}
{2} + I_1$
I am an idiot. I've just figured out what I've done. I had what you gave as the last stage, but instead of adding and subtracting the terms, I've inexplicably multiplied it all out.

Everyone thanks very much for your time