Q.Find ∫3−2x−x2dx
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Integration By Completing Square
Integration by Completing the Square
You can integrate x2+11 or x2−a21 on sight. But a quadratic denominator such as x2+4x+5 fits neither standard form directly. The fix is to rewrite the quadratic as a perfect square plus (or minus) a constant, turning it into a form you already know.
The move
For x2+bx+c, add and subtract (2b)2:
x2+bx+c=(x+2b)2+(c−4b2).
After substituting u=x+2b the integral collapses to ∫u2+k2du or ∫u2−k2du.
Case A — leads to inverse tangent
∫x2+4x+5dx.
Complete the square: x2+4x+5=(x+2)2+1. With u=x+2,
∫u2+1du=tan−1u+C=tan−1(x+2)+C.
∫u2+a2du=a1tan−1au+C is the workhorse when the constant left over is positive.
Case B — leads to a logarithm
∫x2−6x+5dx.
Here x2−6x+5=(x−3)2−4. With u=x−3 the denominator u2−4 factors, so use partial fractions:
∫u2−4du=41logu+2u−2+C=41logx−1x−5+C. …
The key idea is Integration by Completing the Square — rewriting the quadratic inside the square root to match the standard form a2−(x+b)2.
First, complete the square for 3−2x−x2:
3−2x−x2=−(x2+2x)+3=−(x2+2x+1)+1+3=4−(x+1)2.
So the integral becomes:
∫4−(x+1)2dx.
This matches the standard form ∫a2−u2du with a=2 and u=x+1. The known result is:
∫a2−u2du=2ua2−u2+2a2sin−1au+C. …
We integrate 3−2x−x2 by completing the square inside the radical to get 4−(x+1)2, then use the standard formula ∫a2−u2du=2ua2−u2+2a2sin−1au+C. The final answer is 2x+13−2x−x2+2sin−12x+1+C.
When you see a quadratic inside a square root, the first instinct should be: can I rewrite it as something squared minus something else? That’s the heart of integration by completing the square. The expression 3−2x−x2 is not a perfect square on its own, but we can force it into the form a2−(x+b)2, which matches a known trigonometric substitution.
Why does this work? Because a2−u2 is the length of a leg in a right triangle with hypotenuse a and one leg u. That geometric link leads directly to a sine substitution (u=asinθ) and a clean integral. The formula that emerges is a standard result — once you have it, you never need to re-derive it every time.
Let’s walk through it.
- Complete the square inside the radical. The quadratic is −x2−2x+3. Factor out the negative sign from the x2 and x terms:
−(x2+2x)+3
To complete the square inside the parentheses, take half of 2 (which is 1), square it (giving 1), add and subtract it:
x2+2x=(x2+2x+1)−1=(x+1)2−1
So the whole expression becomes:
−[(x+1)2−1]+3=−(x+1)2+1+3=4−(x+1)2
Therefore:
3−2x−x2=4−(x+1)2
- Recognise the standard form. We now have a2−u2 with a=2 and u=x+1. The integral becomes:
∫4−(x+1)2dx
This is a textbook case. The formula for ∫a2−u2du is:
∫a2−u2du=2ua2−u2+2a2sin−1au+C
If you’ve never seen where this comes from, it’s derived by substituting u=asinθ, then du=acosθdθ, and a2−u2=acosθ. The integral becomes ∫a2cos2θdθ, which you solve using the double-angle identity. The result above is the cleaned-up version.
- Apply the formula. Here a=2 and u=x+1. So: …
Method: Complete the Square, Then Standard a2−u2 Form
Use this when integrating the square root of a downward quadratic (−x2 leading): recast it as a2−(x−h)2 so the arcsine-type formula applies.
Steps
Step 1: Complete the square, factoring out the −1.
Rewrite 3−2x−x2=−(x2+2x−3)=4−(x+1)2, so 3−2x−x2=22−(x+1)2.
Step 2: Apply the standard result for a2−u2.
With u=x+1, a=2, …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Forgetting to factor the −1 from −x2−2x.
Why it's wrong: without it you cannot form a2−(x+1)2, and the sign of the square goes wrong. Correct approach: pull out −1 before completing the square.
Mistake 2: Using the log (sum-of-squares) formula.
Why it's wrong: here the structure is a2−u2 (a difference), which gives sin−1, not a log. Correct approach: match the difference to the arcsine formula. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 35 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-17-AN1 markMCQQ.∫(2ax+x2)3/2dx= (A) a21(2ax+x2x+a)+C (B) a21(2ax+x2x−a)+C (C) a2−1(2ax+x2x−a)+C (D) a2−1(2ax+x2x+a)+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Completing the square converts the integral into the standard form ∫du/(u2−a2)3/2, which has a known closed form; back-substituting gives option (D).
Concept and Intuition
Many integrals of the form ∫dx/(quadratic)3/2 become standard once the quadratic is completed to a perfect-square-minus-constant form; the resulting substitution u=x+a reduces it to a memorized/derivable antiderivative.
Step-by-Step Solution
- 2ax+x2=x2+2ax+a2−a2=(x+a)2−a2. Let u=x+a, du=dx.
- The integral becomes ∫(u2−a2)3/2du.
- Standard result (verifiable by differentiation): ∫(u2−a2)3/2du=a2u2−a2−u+C. Check: dud[a2u2−a2−u]=(u2−a2)3/21 ✓. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.∫x2+x+1x+1dx= (A) 21x2+x+1+21cosh−1(3x+2)+c (B) 21x2+x+1+32tan−1(32x+1)+c (C) x2+x+1+32log∣x2+x+1∣+c (D) x2+x+1+21sinh−1(32x+1)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Splitting the numerator into a multiple of the derivative of the radicand plus a constant is the standard technique for ∫ax2+bx+cpx+qdx; here it gives x2+x+1+21sinh−1(32x+1)+c.
Concept and Intuition
For ∫quadraticlineardx, write the linear numerator as A⋅(derivative of quadratic)+B. The A-part becomes a simple power-rule integral (since it's exactly u−1/2du), and the B-part reduces to the standard ∫x2+a2dx=sinh−1(x/a)+c form after completing the square.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write x+1=21(2x+1)+21.
- First part: 21∫x2+x+12x+1dx. Let u=x2+x+1, du=(2x+1)dx: this is 21∫u−1/2du=21⋅2u1/2=x2+x+1.
- Second part: 21∫x2+x+1dx=21∫(x+1/2)2+3/4dx.
- This is of the form 21∫u2+a2du with u=x+1/2, a=3/2, giving 21sinh−1(au)=21sinh−1(32x+1). …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-25-AN1 markMCQQ.∫7−6x−x2dx= (A) Sinh−1(4x+3)+c (B) log4x+3+c (C) Sin−1(4x+3)+c (D) 21Sin−1(4x+3)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Completing the square under the root reveals the standard form ∫a2−u2dx=sin−1(u/a). Answer: sin−1(4x+3)+c.
Concept and Intuition
A quadratic under a square root, when completed to the square, reveals which standard integral form applies: a2−(x−h)2 gives an arcsine, while (x−h)2+a2 or (x−h)2−a2 give hyperbolic-inverse/log forms.
Step-by-Step Solution
- 7−6x−x2=−(x2+6x−7)=−[(x+3)2−9−7]=−(x+3)2+16=16−(x+3)2.
- So the integral is ∫42−(x+3)2dx.
- Using ∫a2−u2du=sin−1(au)+c with u=x+3, a=4: …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.∫x2+x+1dx (A) 4(2x+1)x2+x+1+83Sinh−1(32x+1)+c (B) 4x+1x2+x+1+83Sinh−1(32x+1)+c (C) 4x+1x2+x+1−83Sinh−1(32x+1)+c (D) 4(2x+1)x2+x+1−83Sinh−1(32x+1)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Completing the square turns x2+x+1 into the standard u2+a2 form, whose known integral gives option (A).
Concept and Intuition
The standard result ∫u2+a2du=2uu2+a2+2a2Sinh−1(au)+c applies to any quadratic under a square root once it's written as a perfect square plus a constant.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Complete the square: x2+x+1=(x+21)2+43. Let u=x+21, a2=43 (so a=23).
- Apply the formula: ∫u2+a2du=2uu2+a2+2a2Sinh−1(au)+c.
- 2u=2x+21=42x+1, and u2+a2=x2+x+1.
- 2a2=23/4=83, and au=3/2x+21=32x+1. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-FN1 markMCQQ.∫x32x4−2x2+1x2−1dx (A) 2x21+2x2+2x4+c (B) 2x2(1+2x2+2x4)1/2+c (C) 2x21−2x2+2x4+c (D) 2x2(1−2x2+2x4)1/2+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Verifying the antiderivative by differentiating each candidate is faster and safer than guessing a substitution; the derivative of option (D) reproduces the integrand exactly. Answer: option (D).
Concept and Intuition
When an integral has an awkward-looking algebraic form under a square root, and the options are all algebraic expressions (not transcendental), the fastest rigorous check is to differentiate the candidate answers and see which one reproduces the integrand — this avoids errors in choosing a substitution.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let N(x)=1−2x2+2x4 (note this equals 2x4−2x2+1, the expression under the root in the integrand).
- Try f(x)=2x2N1/2=21N1/2x−2.
- Differentiate: f′(x)=4N1/2x2N′−x3N1/2, where N′=−4x+8x3=4x(2x2−1).
- First term becomes xN1/2(2x2−1). Combine both terms over the common denominator x3N1/2:
f′(x)=x3N1/2(2x2−1)x2−N.
- Numerator: (2x2−1)x2−N=(2x4−x2)−(1−2x2+2x4)=x2−1. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-16-FN1 markMCQQ.∫x32x4−2x2+1x2−1dx= (A) 2x212x4+2x2+1+C (B) 2x212x4−2x2+1+C (C) 2x214x4−2x2+1+C (D) 2x214x4+2x2+1+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Verify by differentiation: F(x)=2x212x4−2x2+1 differentiates back to the given integrand, so this is the antiderivative.
Concept and Intuition
When an integrand looks like it could come from differentiating a quotient of the form x2quartic, the fastest rigorous route (especially under exam time pressure) is to differentiate the most plausible option and check it reproduces the integrand exactly, rather than deriving the substitution from scratch.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=2x4−2x2+1 and F=2x2u.
- u′=2u8x3−4x=u4x3−2x.
- Quotient rule: F′=4x4u′⋅2x2−u⋅4x=4x4u(4x3−2x)⋅2x2−4xu.
- Multiply numerator and denominator by u: F′=4x4u2x2(4x3−2x)−4xu2=4x4u8x5−4x3−4x(2x4−2x2+1).
- Expand the numerator: 8x5−4x3−8x5+8x3−4x=4x3−4x. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-FN1 markMCQQ.∫9x2−12x+1(3x−2)tan(9x2−12x+1)dx= (A) 31sec29x2−12x+1+c (B) 31sec2x+c (C) 21logsec9x2−12x+1+c (D) 31logsec9x2−12x+1+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
A double substitution — first u=9x2−12x+1, then w=u — turns the integral into a plain ∫tanwdw, giving 31log∣sec9x2−12x+1∣+c.
Concept and Intuition
When (3x−2) (half the derivative of 9x2−12x+1) sits outside a function of 9x2−12x+1, a chained substitution — first for the quadratic, then for its square root — collapses the whole expression to a single-variable standard integral.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=9x2−12x+1. Then du=(18x−12)dx=6(3x−2)dx, so (3x−2)dx=6du.
- Integral becomes ∫utanu⋅6du=61∫utanudu.
- Let w=u, so dw=2udu, i.e. udu=2dw.
- Integral becomes 61∫tanw⋅2dw=31∫tanwdw=31(−log∣cosw∣)+c=31log∣secw∣+c. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-FN1 markMCQQ.∫1+x+x22dx= (A) 34tan−1(32x−1)+c (B) 34tan−1(32x+1)+c (C) 32tan−1(32x−1)+c (D) 32tan−1(32x+1)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Complete the square in the denominator and apply the standard ∫x2+a2dx=a1tan−1(x/a) form. Answer: option (B).
Concept and Intuition
Any irreducible quadratic ax2+bx+c in a denominator under a simple rational integrand can be handled by completing the square to reduce it to the standard u2+a2 form, whose antiderivative is a scaled arctangent.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Complete the square: 1+x+x2=(x+21)2+43=(x+21)2+(23)2.
- So the integral is 2∫(x+21)2+(23)2dx.
- Using ∫u2+a2du=a1tan−1(u/a) with u=x+21, a=23:
2⋅3/21tan−1(3/2x+1/2)=34tan−1(32x+1)+c.
Common Mistakes …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-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
Two successive substitutions (t=x, then w=(1−t)/(1+t)) collapse the integral to ∫−2dw; the answer is −21+x1−x+c.
Concept and Intuition
The presence of x inside (1+x) and inside x−x2=x1−x both suggest first substituting t=x. What remains — a rational-times-square-root expression in t symmetric under t→−t in a (1±t) sense — is the classic cue for the substitution w2=1+t1−t, which rationalizes everything at once.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Note x−x2=x(1−x), so x−x2=x1−x, and the integral is
∫(1+x)x1−xdx.
- Let t=x, so x=t2, dx=2tdt:
∫(1+t)t1−t22tdt=∫(1+t)(1−t)(1+t)2dt=∫(1+t)3/2(1−t)1/22dt.
- Let w=1+t1−t, so t=1+w21−w2 and dt=(1+w2)2−4wdw. One finds
1+t=1+w22,1−t=1+w22w2,
so
(1+t)3/2(1−t)1/2=(1+w2)24w.
- Substituting, …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-24-FN1 markMCQQ.∫x2−2x+5xdx= (A) x2−2x+5+Sinh−1(2x−1)+c (B) 21x2−2x+5+Sin−1(2x−1)+c (C) 2x2−2x+5+Cosh−1(2x−1)+c (D) x2−2x+5−Cos−1(2x−1)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
A rational-times-radical integral of the form ∫ax2+bx+cxdx, split by writing the numerator to match the derivative of the radicand. Answer: x2−2x+5+Sinh−1(2x−1)+c.
Concept and Intuition
The standard technique for ∫x2+bx+cxdx is to complete the square in the radicand and write x as (half the derivative of the radicand) plus a constant — this splits the integral into an easy "u/u2+a2" piece and a standard inverse hyperbolic-sine piece.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Complete the square: x2−2x+5=(x−1)2+4.
- Let u=x−1⇒x=u+1, dx=du. The integral becomes ∫u2+4u+1du.
- Split: ∫u2+4udu+∫u2+4du.
- First piece: ∫u2+4udu=u2+4+C1 (direct substitution w=u2+4).
- Second piece: ∫u2+4du=Sinh−1(2u)+C2 (standard form ∫u2+a2du=Sinh−1(u/a)). …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-AN1 markMCQQ.∫1+x+x21dx= (A) 32log(2x−1−32x+1+3)+c (B) 31log(2x+1+32x+1−3)+c (C) 32tan−1(32x+1)+c (D) 52tan−1(52x+1)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Completing the square turns the quadratic denominator into a sum of squares, a standard ∫u2+a2dx form.
Concept and Intuition
Any ∫ax2+bx+cdx with no real roots in the denominator reduces, by completing the square, to the standard arctan integral ∫u2+a2du=a1tan−1au+c.
Step-by-Step Solution
- 1+x+x2=(x+21)2+1−41=(x+21)2+43.
- So the integral is ∫(x+21)2+(23)2dx.
- Using ∫u2+a2du=a1tan−1au+c with u=x+21, a=23: =3/21tan−1(3/2x+1/2)+c=32tan−1(32x+1)+c. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-19-FN1 markMCQQ.∫(x−1)x+2dx= (A) 32log(x+2)−3(x+2)+3+c (B) 3−1log(x+2)+3(x+2)−3+c (C) 31log(x+2)−3(x+2)+3+c (D) 31log(x+2)+3(x+2)−3+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
The substitution t=x+2 turns the integral into the standard ∫t2−a2dt form.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever an integrand has linear and a polynomial in x, substituting t=linear expression often rationalizes everything.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let t=x+2⇒x=t2−2, dx=2tdt.
- x−1=t2−2−1=t2−3.
- Integral becomes ∫(t2−3)⋅t2tdt=∫t2−32dt.
- Using ∫t2−a2dt=2a1logt+at−a+C with a=3: ∫t2−32dt=2⋅231logt+3t−3+C=31logt+3t−3+C.
- Substitute back t=x+2: 31logx+2+3x+2−3+c. …
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