Q.Find the following integrals:
🔒You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.
🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — U Substitution
U Substitution: The Reverse Chain Rule
The chain rule differentiates composite functions: the derivative of sin(x2) is cos(x2)⋅2x — differentiate the outer function, then multiply by the derivative of the inside. Integration asks the reverse: given cos(x2)⋅2x, find the original function. That's what u substitution does — it reverses the chain rule.
The Core Intuition
When an integral looks like "a function times the derivative of its inside," substitute the inside with u and the derivative of the inside with du. Consider:
∫2xcos(x2)dx
Here 2x is the derivative of x2, and x2 is the inside of cos(x2). Let u=x2, so du=2xdx:
∫cos(u)du=sin(u)+C=sin(x2)+C
Check: the derivative of sin(x2) is cos(x2)⋅2x.
The Precise Statement
∫f(g(x))⋅g′(x)dx=∫f(u)duwhere u=g(x),du=g′(x)dx
Valid provided g is differentiable and the resulting integral in u is simpler.
The Step-by-Step Method
- Identify a function g(x) whose derivative g′(x) also appears (possibly up to a constant factor).
- Set u=g(x), compute du=g′(x)dx.
- Rewrite the entire integral in u and du — every x and dx must be replaced.
- Integrate with respect to u.
- Substitute back u=g(x).
You cannot mix variables. If any x remains after substitution, you chose the wrong u (or must solve for x in terms of u — rare).
A Second Example (with a constant factor)
Evaluate ∫xx2+1dx. Let u=x2+1, so xdx=21du:
∫u⋅21du=21⋅32u3/2+C=31(x2+1)3/2+C
When Does It Work?
When the integrand is something times the derivative of something inside. Common patterns:
- x⋅f(x2) — derivative of x2 is 2x, so u=x2
- eg(x)⋅g′(x) — derivative of g(x) appears
- g(x)g′(x) — leads to log∣g(x)∣ …
Concept: U Substitution — rewrite the numerator as a multiple of the derivative of the denominator (or the expression inside the square root) plus a constant, then split into two standard integrals.
(i) ∫2x2+6x+5x+2dx
Derivative of denominator: 4x+6=2(2x+3). Write numerator as x+2=41(4x+6)+21.
Then the integral becomes:
41∫2x2+6x+54x+6dx+21∫2x2+6x+5dx
First part: u=2x2+6x+5, du=(4x+6)dx, gives 41log∣2x2+6x+5∣. …
Both integrals are solved by rewriting the numerator as a linear combination of the derivative of the denominator (or the expression under the square root) plus a constant, then splitting into two standard forms: one giving a log (or inverse sine) and the other giving an inverse tangent (or a simple square‑root substitution).
(i) ∫2x2+6x+5x+2dx
Concept and intuition
When the denominator is a quadratic, the derivative of the denominator is 4x+6. The numerator x+2 is almost a multiple of 4x+6, but not quite. The trick is to write the numerator as:
x+2=A(4x+6)+B
where A and B are constants. This splits the integral into two pieces:
- The part with A gives ∫2x2+6x+54x+6dx, which is a simple logarithm (since the numerator is exactly the derivative of the denominator).
- The part with B gives ∫2x2+6x+51dx, which after completing the square becomes an inverse tangent.
Step‑by‑step
1. Find A and B.
We want x+2=A(4x+6)+B.
Comparing coefficients:
Coefficient of x: 1=4A⟹A=41.
Constant term: 2=6A+B⟹2=6⋅41+B=23+B⟹B=21.
So:
x+2=41(4x+6)+21
2. Split the integral.
∫2x2+6x+5x+2dx=41∫2x2+6x+54x+6dx+21∫2x2+6x+51dx
3. First integral — the log part.
Let u=2x2+6x+5, then du=(4x+6)dx. So:
41∫udu=41log∣u∣+C1=41log∣2x2+6x+5∣+C1
The quadratic 2x2+6x+5 has discriminant 36−40=−4<0, so it is always positive. The absolute value is technically unnecessary, but it’s safe to keep it.
4. Second integral — prepare for tan−1.
Factor the 2 from the denominator:
21∫2x2+6x+51dx=21⋅21∫x2+3x+251dx=41∫x2+3x+251dx
Complete the square:
x2+3x+25=(x+23)2−49+25=(x+23)2+41
So the integral becomes:
41∫(x+23)2+(21)21dx
5. Use the standard form.
Recall ∫t2+a21dt=a1tan−1(at)+C.
Here t=x+23, a=21. So:
41⋅1/21tan−1(1/2x+23)=41⋅2tan−1(2x+3)=21tan−1(2x+3)+C2
6. Combine the results.
∫2x2+6x+5x+2dx=41log∣2x2+6x+5∣+21tan−1(2x+3)+C
A common mistake is to forget the factor 21 from the second integral when completing the square. Always check the coefficient of x2 before completing the square — here we factored it out first. …
Method: Split a Linear Numerator into (Derivative of Denominator) + Constant
Use this when a linear numerator sits over a quadratic (or its square root): rewrite the numerator so one part is proportional to the denominator's derivative, splitting the integral into a log/root part and an arctan/arcsine part.
Steps
Step 1: Write the numerator as A⋅(derivative of denominator)+B.
If the denominator is q(x), set numerator =Aq′(x)+B and match coefficients to find A and B. E.g. for 2x2+6x+5, q′(x)=4x+6, and x+2=A(4x+6)+B.
Step 2: Split the integral into two standard pieces. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Guessing A and B instead of solving.
Why it's wrong: the split must satisfy x+2=A(4x+6)+B exactly; a guess leaves a mismatch. Correct approach: equate coefficients of x and the constant to solve for A and B.
Mistake 2: Forgetting to complete the square on the constant-numerator piece. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 51 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-07-AN1 markMCQQ.∫x+x2+2dx= (A) 23(x+x+2)3/2−2(x+x2+2)1/4+C (B) 31(x+x2+2)3/2−2(x+x2+2)1/4+C (C) (x+x2+2)−3/2−2(x+x2+2)−1/2+C (D) 3x+x2+2(x+x2+2)2−6+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
The substitution t=x+x2+2 rationalises the nested radical; the resulting antiderivative, written as a single fraction, matches option (D). Answer: option (D).
Concept and Intuition
Integrals containing x+x2+a2 are a classic signal to substitute t equal to that whole expression — it converts the awkward nested square root into simple powers of t, because x and x2+a2 can both be written as clean rational/linear functions of t.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let t=x+x2+2. Then x2+2=t−x; squaring, x2+2=t2−2tx+x2⇒2=t2−2tx⇒x=2tt2−2.
- Then x2+2=t−x=t−2tt2−2=2t2t2−t2+2=2tt2+2.
- Differentiate t w.r.t. x: dxdt=1+x2+2x=x2+2x2+2+x=x2+2t=(t2+2)/(2t)t=t2+22t2, so dx=2t2t2+2dt.
- Substitute into the integral: ∫tdx=∫t1/2⋅2t2t2+2dt=21∫(t1/2+2t−3/2)dt.
- Integrate: 21[32t3/2−4t−1/2]+C=31t3/2−2t−1/2+C. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-05-FN1 markMCQQ.∫(x−3)4/5(x+1)6/5dx= (A) 455x+1x−3+C (B) 45(x−3x+1)1/5+C (C) 51(x+1x−3)1/5+C (D) 45(x+4x−3)4/5+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Splitting off (x+1)2 turns the integrand into a pure power of t=x+1x−3, giving 45(x+1x−3)1/5+C.
Concept and Intuition
When an integrand has the form (x−a)p(x−b)q with p+q an integer (here 54+56=2), factoring out (x−b)p+q and substituting t=x−bx−a collapses the whole thing to a simple power of t — a standard trick for these "unequal fractional exponent" integrals.
Step-by-Step Solution
- (x−3)4/5(x+1)6/5=(x+1)2[x+1x−3]4/5 (factoring out (x+1)4/5+6/5=(x+1)2).
- So the integrand is (x+1)−2[x+1x−3]−4/5.
- Let t=x+1x−3. Then dxdt=(x+1)2(x+1)−(x−3)=(x+1)24, so (x+1)−2dx=4dt.
- The integral becomes 41∫t−4/5dt=41⋅1/5t1/5+C=45t1/5+C. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.∫(x5+1)6/5dx= (A) 5x5+11+c (B) x5x5+1+c (C) 5x5+1x+c (D) 5x5+1+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Recognizing the integrand as the derivative of 5x5+1x (verified by direct differentiation) gives the antiderivative immediately.
Concept and Intuition
For integrals of the form ∫(xn+1)(n+1)/ndx, a useful trick is to guess that the antiderivative looks like (xn+1)1/nx (a ratio designed to make the product-rule differentiation collapse nicely), and then verify by differentiating it — if it reproduces the integrand exactly, we're done. This is often faster than a substitution for this particular family.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Guess the antiderivative g(x)=(x5+1)1/5x=x(x5+1)−1/5.
- Differentiate using the product rule: g′(x)=(x5+1)−1/5+x⋅(−51)(x5+1)−6/5⋅5x4.
- Simplify the second term: x⋅(−51)(5x4)(x5+1)−6/5=−x5(x5+1)−6/5.
- So g′(x)=(x5+1)−1/5−x5(x5+1)−6/5.
- Factor out (x5+1)−6/5: g′(x)=(x5+1)−6/5[(x5+1)−x5]=(x5+1)−6/5×1=(x5+1)−6/5. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.∫4+5cosxdx= (A) −31log3−tan2x3+tan2x+C (B) 31log3−tan2x3+tan2x+C (C) −91log3+tan2x3−tan2x+C (D) 91log3+tan2x3−tan2x+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
The Weierstrass substitution t=tan(x/2) turns this into a standard ∫dt/(a2−t2) integral, giving option (B).
Concept and Intuition
For ∫a+bcosxdx the substitution t=tan(x/2) (so cosx=1+t21−t2, dx=1+t22dt) always converts the integral into a rational function of t alone.
Step-by-Step Solution
- cosx=1+t21−t2, dx=1+t22dt, with t=tan(x/2).
- 4+5cosx=4+5⋅1+t21−t2=1+t24(1+t2)+5(1−t2)=1+t29−t2.
- Integral becomes ∫(9−t2)/(1+t2)2dt/(1+t2)=∫9−t22dt.
- Using ∫a2−t2dt=2a1loga−ta+t+C with a=3: ∫9−t2dt=61log3−t3+t+C. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-AN1 markMCQQ.If ∫(x6+x4+x2)2x4+3x2+6dx=f(x)+c, then f(3)= (A) 23(95)3/2 (B) 23(195)3/2 (C) 23(265)3/2 (D) 23(175)3/2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Guess the antiderivative in the form (ax3+bx)(2x4+3x2+6)3/2, match
coefficients by differentiating, solve for a,b, then evaluate at x=3 to get
f(3)=23(195)3/2.
Concept and Intuition
When an integrand is a polynomial times the square root of another polynomial,
and the polynomial factor's degree matches what you'd get by differentiating a
(poly)⋅(radicand)3/2 ansatz, the fastest route is the
"reverse chain rule with an undetermined polynomial coefficient" method: guess
the shape of the antiderivative with unknown coefficients, differentiate, and
match coefficients of like powers of x to solve for them.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Guess f(x)=(ax3+bx)(2x4+3x2+6)3/2.
- Differentiate (product + chain rule), then factor out (2x4+3x2+6)1/2: f′(x)=(2x4+3x2+6)1/2[(3ax2+b)(2x4+3x2+6)+(ax3+bx)(12x3+9x)].
- Expand the bracket: it collects to 18ax6+(18a+14b)x4+(18a+12b)x2+6b.
- Match this to the target x6+x4+x2 (constant term 0): 6b=0⇒b=0; then 18a=1⇒a=181.
- Check remaining coefficients with a=1/18, b=0: 18a+14b=1 ✓ (matches x4 coefficient 1), 18a+12b=1 ✓ (matches x2 coefficient 1). All consistent.
- So f(x)=18x3(2x4+3x2+6)3/2. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.If ∫(x+5)x−5dx=152x−5f(x)+c, then f(6)= (A) 5 (B) 20 (C) 100 (D) 53
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting u=x−5 turns the integral into a simple power-rule computation; matching it to the given form and evaluating f at x=6 gives 53.
Concept and Intuition
An integrand with x−a multiplying a linear expression in x is best handled by substituting u=x−a, which converts everything into pure powers of u that integrate directly via the power rule. After integrating, we factor the result to match the given answer template and read off f(x).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=x−5, so x=u+5, and x+5=u+10. Also dx=du.
- The integral becomes ∫(u+10)udu=∫(u3/2+10u1/2)du.
- Integrate term by term: ∫u3/2du=52u5/2, and ∫10u1/2du=10×32u3/2=320u3/2.
- So the integral =52u5/2+320u3/2+c.
- Factor out 152u3/2 (the common factor, chosen to match the given form's 152): 52u5/2=152u3/2(3u) and 320u3/2=152u3/2(50). So the integral =152u3/2(3u+50)+c=152u1/2⋅u(3u+50)+c. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.∫x55x5+11dx= (A) 5x5+14+c (B) 4x4(x5+1)4/5+c (C) −4x4(x5+1)4/5+c (D) −4x5(x5+1)4/5+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Rewriting the integrand to expose 1+x−5 as the natural substitution variable solves this cleanly; the answer is −4x4(x5+1)4/5+c.
Concept and Intuition
When an integral mixes a power of x with a root of a polynomial in x, factoring out the highest power of x from inside the root often converts the expression into a function of 1/x (or x−5 here), whose derivative is already present elsewhere in the integrand — a clean substitution.
Step-by-Step Solution
- (x5+1)−1/5=(x5(1+x−5))−1/5=x−1(1+x−5)−1/5.
- So the integrand x−5(x5+1)−1/5=x−6(1+x−5)−1/5.
- Let t=1+x−5, so dt=−5x−6dx⇒x−6dx=−5dt.
- Integral =∫t−1/5(−5dt)=−51⋅4/5t4/5+c=−41t4/5+c. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-27-FN1 markMCQQ.∫(1+x)x−x2dx= (A) −21−x1+x+c (B) −1+x1−x+c (C) −21+x1−x+c (D) 21−x1+x+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting t=x turns the surd-heavy integrand into ∫(1+t)3/2(1−t)1/22dt, whose antiderivative is exactly −21+t1−t.
Concept and Intuition
When an integrand mixes x and x−x2=x1−x, substituting t=x clears every square root of x at once, converting the whole thing into a rational-power integral in t that matches the derivative of 1+t1−t — a standard "recognise the derivative" pattern worth memorising for CET-style problems.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write x−x2=x(1−x)=x1−x, so the integral is
I=∫(1+x)x1−xdx.
- Let t=x, so x=t2, dx=2tdt:
I=∫(1+t)⋅t⋅1−t22tdt=∫(1+t)(1−t)(1+t)2dt=∫(1+t)3/2(1−t)1/22dt.
- Let y=1+t1−t. Differentiating y2=1+t1−t: 2yy′=(1+t)2−(1+t)−(1−t)=(1+t)2−2 ⇒ y′=y(1+t)2−1=(1+t)3/2(1−t)1/2−1. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.If ∫x(1−x3)2−1dx=32g(f(x))+c, then (A) f(x)=x, g(x)=sin−1x (B) f(x)=x3/2, g(x)=sin−1x (C) f(x)=x3/2, g(x)=cos−1x (D) f(x)=x, g(x)=cos−1x
›Reveal solutionSolution
A substitution u=x3/2 turns the integral into the standard ∫du/1−u2 form, giving f(x)=x3/2 and g=sin−1.
Concept and Intuition
The presence of xdx alongside x3=(x3/2)2 inside a square root strongly signals the substitution u=x3/2 (its derivative is proportional to x, exactly what's needed to absorb the leftover xdx). Once substituted, the integral collapses to the standard arcsine form.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=x3/2. Then du=23x1/2dx=23xdx, so xdx=32du.
- Also, u2=x3, so 1−x3=1−u2.
- Substitute into the integral: ∫x(1−x3)−1/2dx=∫32⋅1−u2du=32∫1−u2du.
- This is the standard form: ∫1−u2du=sin−1u+c.
- So the integral =32sin−1(u)+c=32sin−1(x3/2)+c. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-06-AN1 markMCQQ.∫(sin2x+sin−3xcos5x)3cos4xdx= (A) 51(1+cot5x)−2+C (B) 101(1+cot2x)−5+C (C) 101(1+cot5x)−2+C (D) 51(1+cot5x)−5+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Factoring sin2x out of the denominator turns it into sin2x(1+cot5x), and the substitution t=1+cot5x makes the whole integral a simple power-rule integration, giving 101(1+cot5x)−2+C.
Concept and Intuition
Integrals with mixed powers of sinx and cosx in odd/negative combinations often simplify beautifully once you factor out a common power to expose a (1+cotnx) or (1+tannx) structure — this is exactly the kind of expression whose derivative (via chain rule) reproduces cotn−1xcsc2x, matching what's left over in the integrand.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Denominator: sin2x+sin−3xcos5x. Factor out sin2x: =sin2x[1+sin5xcos5x]=sin2x(1+cot5x).
- So the full denominator cubed: [sin2x(1+cot5x)]3=sin6x(1+cot5x)3.
- Integrand: sin6x(1+cot5x)3cos4x=sin4xcos4x⋅sin2x1⋅(1+cot5x)−3=cot4xcsc2x(1+cot5x)−3.
- Substitute t=1+cot5x. Then dxdt=5cot4x⋅(−csc2x)=−5cot4xcsc2x, so cot4xcsc2xdx=−5dt. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-17-AN1 markMCQQ.If ∫1+x2x3dx=A(1+x2)3/2+B(1+x2)1/2+C, then A+B= (A) 2/3 (B) −2/3 (C) 1/3 (D) −1/3
›Reveal solutionSolution
The substitution u=1+x2 turns the integral into a simple power-rule computation, giving A=1/3 and B=−1, so A+B=−2/3.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever the integrand has an odd power of x alongside a function of x2 (here 1+x2), substituting u=1+x2 (so du=2xdx) converts the odd-power part into a polynomial in u, making the integral elementary.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=1+x2, du=2xdx, and x2=u−1.
- x3dx=x2⋅xdx=(u−1)⋅2du.
- ∫1+x2x3dx=∫u(u−1)⋅2du=21∫(u1/2−u−1/2)du.
- =21(32u3/2−2u1/2)+C=31u3/2−u1/2+C. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-06-FN1 markMCQQ.∫(sinx+cosx+2sin2x)21dx= (A) (3+tan2x)3−(1+3tanx)+C (B) 3(1+tanx)3−(1+3tanx)+C (C) 3(1+3tanx)2−(1+tanx)+C (D) (1+3tanx)31+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Recognising the denominator as (sinx+cosx)4 and substituting u=tanx reduces this to a rational integral, giving −3(1+tanx)31+3tanx+C.
Concept and Intuition
The key algebraic identity here is (sinx+cosx)2=sinx+cosx+2sinxcosx=sinx+cosx+2sin2x (since 2sinxcosx=4sinxcosx=2sin2x). That matches the given denominator's base exactly, turning a scary-looking radical expression into a clean fourth power.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Verify (sinx+cosx)2=sinx+cosx+2sinxcosx=sinx+cosx+2sin2x, matching sinx+cosx+2sin2x.
- So the denominator is (sinx+cosx)4.
- Factor out cosx: sinx+cosx=cosx(tanx+1), so the denominator =cos2x(1+tanx)4.
- Integral becomes ∫(1+tanx)4sec2xdx. Let t=tanx, dt=sec2xdx: ∫(1+t)4dt.
- Let u=t, t=u2, dt=2udu: ∫(1+u)42udu.
- Write 2u=2(1+u)−2: ∫[(1+u)32−(1+u)42]du=−(1+u)21+3(1+u)32+C. …
🎓Unlock everything free for 14 days
- ✓Full step-by-step solutions
- ✓Concept-first explanations
- ✓Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
- ✓PYQ mapping + timed mock tests
Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.