Q.Evaluate ∫0π/2sin4x+cos4xsin4xdx
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Definite Integral Symmetry: The Shortcut That Saves You Work
Asked to find the area under f(x)=x3 from x=−2 to x=2? You could integrate directly — but there's a much faster way if you notice the symmetry of the graph.
The Intuition: What Does "Symmetry" Mean Here?
A function can be symmetric about the y-axis (like x2 or cosx) or about the origin (like x3 or sinx). When you integrate over a symmetric interval — from −a to a — these symmetries create a predictable cancellation or doubling.
Even functions (symmetric about the y-axis): f(−x)=f(x) — think x2, x4, cosx, ∣x∣. The left side mirrors the right, so the area from −a to 0 equals the area from 0 to a. The total is double the area on one side.
Odd functions (symmetric about the origin): f(−x)=−f(x) — think x3, x5, sinx, tanx. The left side is the negative mirror of the right, so every positive area on the right is cancelled by an equal negative area on the left. The total is zero.
This only works when the limits are symmetric about zero — from −a to a. For [0,a] or [1,3], symmetry doesn't help directly.
The Precise Statement
Let f be continuous on [−a,a].
- If f is even (f(−x)=f(x)), then ∫−aaf(x)dx=2∫0af(x)dx
- If f is odd (f(−x)=−f(x)), then ∫−aaf(x)dx=0
∫−aaf(x)dx={2∫0af(x)dx0if f is evenif f is odd
Why Does This Work? (A Quick Proof)
Split at zero:
∫−aaf(x)dx=∫−a0f(x)dx+∫0af(x)dx
For the first term substitute u=−x (dx=−du; x=−a→u=a, x=0→u=0):
∫−a0f(x)dx=∫0af(−u)du
Now use symmetry:
- If f is even, f(−u)=f(u), so this becomes ∫0af(u)du; adding the second term gives 2∫0af(x)dx.
- If f is odd, f(−u)=−f(u), so this becomes −∫0af(u)du; adding the second term gives 0.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't assume symmetry without checking. A "balanced"-looking function need not be even or odd — e.g. f(x)=x2+x is neither, so these formulas don't apply. Always verify f(−x)=f(x) or f(−x)=−f(x) for all x.
The interval must be [−a,a]. If the limits are [−2,3], symmetry doesn't apply directly — split the integral or shift variables.
Examples to Cement the Idea
Example 1: ∫−33x4dx — x4 is even, so
∫−33x4dx=2∫03x4dx=2[5x5]03=2⋅5243=5486 …
The key idea is the symmetry property of definite integrals: ∫0af(x)dx=∫0af(a−x)dx.
Step 1: Let I=∫0π/2sin4x+cos4xsin4xdx.
Step 2: Replace x with 2π−x. Since sin(2π−x)=cosx and cos(2π−x)=sinx, we get:
I=∫0π/2cos4x+sin4xcos4xdx. …
Using the symmetry property ∫0af(x)dx=∫0af(a−x)dx, the given integral equals its complementary form. Adding them gives a simple constant, so the value is 4π.
The key insight here is a symmetry trick that works beautifully for integrals over [0,π/2] when the integrand involves sin and cos in a balanced way. Instead of grinding through trigonometric identities, we can exploit the fact that sinx and cosx swap roles when we replace x by π/2−x.
Let’s see why this works.
- Define the integral and apply the substitution x→2π−x. Let
I=∫0π/2sin4x+cos4xsin4xdx.
Now make the substitution t=2π−x. Then dx=−dt, and when x=0, t=π/2; when x=π/2, t=0. So
I=∫π/20sin4(π/2−t)+cos4(π/2−t)sin4(π/2−t)(−dt)=∫0π/2cos4t+sin4tcos4tdt.
Since sin(π/2−t)=cost and cos(π/2−t)=sint, the denominator is symmetric. Renaming t back to x, we get
I=∫0π/2sin4x+cos4xcos4xdx.
- Add the two forms of I. We now have two expressions for the same I:
I=∫0π/2sin4x+cos4xsin4xdxandI=∫0π/2sin4x+cos4xcos4xdx.
Adding them:
2I=∫0π/2sin4x+cos4xsin4x+cos4xdx=∫0π/21dx.
- Evaluate the simple integral. …
Method: The "King" Property ∫0af(x)dx=∫0af(a−x)dx for sin/cos Swaps
Use this for integrals over [0,2π] where replacing x by 2π−x swaps sin and cos: adding the original and reflected integrals collapses the denominator.
Steps
Step 1: Form the reflected integral.
Let I=∫0π/2sin4x+cos4xsin4xdx. Substituting x→2π−x swaps sin↔cos, giving I=∫0π/2cos4x+sin4xcos4xdx. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Expanding sin4x+cos4x and grinding through identities.
Why it's wrong: it is far longer and error-prone when the symmetry trick gives the answer in two lines. Correct approach: use x→2π−x.
Mistake 2: Not noticing the denominators match after reflection. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 48 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.∫03π/2cos3x+sin3xcos3xdx= (A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 4π (D) 43π
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using the substitution x→23π−x swaps the roles of cos3x and sin3x in the integrand, showing the given integral equals its "sine" counterpart; since the two together give the full interval length, each equals 43π.
Concept and Intuition
This is a King's-rule-style symmetry trick: ∫0af(x)dx=∫0af(a−x)dx. Applying it with a=3π/2 swaps cosx↔−sinx and sinx↔−cosx, which exactly interchanges the roles of cos3x and sin3x in the fraction (the minus signs cancel through the cube and the overall ratio), letting us equate the two "complementary" integrals.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Define I=∫03π/2cos3x+sin3xcos3xdx and J=∫03π/2cos3x+sin3xsin3xdx.
- Adding: I+J=∫03π/21dx=23π.
- Substitute x→23π−x in I: cos(23π−x)=−sinx and sin(23π−x)=−cosx. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-AN1 markMCQQ.∫0π/2sinx+cosxsin3xdx= (A) 4π+1 (B) 2π−2 (C) 4π−2 (D) 4π−1
›Reveal solutionSolution
By symmetry I=J (the cos3 analogue) and I+J=π/2−1/2 via a sum-of-cubes factorisation, giving I=(π−1)/4.
Concept and Intuition
Define J as the same integral with sin3x replaced by cos3x. The substitution x→π/2−x shows I=J exactly (not just numerically), because it swaps sine and cosine while leaving sinx+cosx and the interval unchanged. Then the sum-of-cubes identity sin3x+cos3x=(sinx+cosx)(1−sinxcosx) lets I+J collapse to an elementary integral, and since I=J, each equals half of that sum.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let I=∫0π/2sinx+cosxsin3xdx and J=∫0π/2sinx+cosxcos3xdx.
- Substituting u=π/2−x in I: sinx→cosu, cosx→sinu, limits unchanged, giving I=∫0π/2cosu+sinucos3udu=J. So I=J.
- I+J=∫0π/2sinx+cosxsin3x+cos3xdx. Using sin3x+cos3x=(sinx+cosx)(sin2x−sinxcosx+cos2x)=(sinx+cosx)(1−sinxcosx), this simplifies to ∫0π/2(1−sinxcosx)dx. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-20-AN1 markMCQQ.∫0π1+cos2xxsinxdx= (A) 0 (B) 2π (C) 2π2 (D) 4π2
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is the classic "xf(sinx)" King's-rule setup; it reduces to π/2 times a standard arctan integral, giving 4π2 — (D).
Concept and Intuition
Whenever the integrand has the shape x⋅g(sinx,cos2x) over [0,π] and g is invariant under x→π−x (true here since sin(π−x)=sinx and cos2(π−x)=cos2x), the King's-rule substitution x→π−x lets us replace the "x" prefactor with "π−x", and adding the two forms eliminates the awkward x entirely.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let I=∫0π1+cos2xxsinxdx and f(x)=1+cos2xsinx.
- Check f(π−x)=1+cos2(π−x)sin(π−x)=1+cos2xsinx=f(x) — confirmed invariant.
- By King's rule: I=∫0π(π−x)f(x)dx=π∫0πf(x)dx−I.
- So 2I=π∫0πf(x)dx=πJ, where J=∫0π1+cos2xsinxdx. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-FN1 markMCQQ.∫0π1+cos2xxsinxdx= (A) 4π2 (B) 2π (C) 2π2 (D) 4π
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is the classic ∫0πxf(sinx,cosx)dx trick using the substitution x→π−x; the answer is (A).
Concept and Intuition
For integrals of the form ∫0πxg(cosx)sinxdx, substituting x→π−x (using sin(π−x)=sinx and cos(π−x)=−cosx, but here cos2 is unaffected) converts the x factor into π−x, letting you solve for the integral algebraically in terms of a simpler integral without the x weight.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let I=∫0π1+cos2xxsinxdx.
- Substitute x→π−x: sin(π−x)=sinx, cos2(π−x)=cos2x, so
I=∫0π1+cos2x(π−x)sinxdx=π∫0π1+cos2xsinxdx−I.
- So 2I=π∫0π1+cos2xsinxdx. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-FN1 markMCQQ.∫0πsin2x+2cos2xxsinxdx= (A) 2π (B) 2π2 (C) 4π2 (D) 4π
›Reveal solutionSolution
Rewriting sin2x+2cos2x=1+cos2x and applying the classical ∫0πxf(sinx,cos2x)dx=2π∫0πfdx symmetry reduces the problem to a standard arctangent integral, giving π2/4.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever an integrand over [0,π] depends on x only through sinx and cos2x (both invariant, or simply transformed, under x↦π−x), the King's-rule substitution I=∫0πxf(x)dx=2π∫0πf(x)dx eliminates the explicit x factor.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Simplify the denominator: sin2x+2cos2x=(sin2x+cos2x)+cos2x=1+cos2x.
- Let I=∫0π1+cos2xxsinxdx.
- Apply x→π−x: sin(π−x)=sinx, cos(π−x)=−cosx⇒cos2(π−x)=cos2x. So I=∫0π1+cos2x(π−x)sinxdx=π∫0π1+cos2xsinxdx−I.
- So 2I=πJ where J=∫0π1+cos2xsinxdx. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.∫0π/21+4cos22xxsin2xdx= (A) 8π(Tan−12) (B) 4π(Tan−12) (C) 2π(Tan−12) (D) 8π(Tan−14)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the King's-rule symmetry ∫0af(x)dx=∫0af(a−x)dx to eliminate the explicit x, then substitute; the result is 8πTan−12.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever an integrand is x times a function that is itself symmetric (or anti-symmetric) under x→a−x, replacing x by a−x and adding to the original kills the explicit x-dependence, leaving a much simpler integral to evaluate.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let I=∫0π/21+4cos22xxsin2xdx.
- Replace x→2π−x: since sin(π−2x)=sin2x and cos(π−2x)=−cos2x (so cos2 is unchanged),
I=∫0π/21+4cos22x(2π−x)sin2xdx=2π∫0π/21+4cos22xsin2xdx−I.
- So 2I=2πJ where J=∫0π/21+4cos22xsin2xdx.
- Let w=cos2x, dw=−2sin2xdx. Limits: x=0⇒w=1; x=π/2⇒w=−1.
J=∫1−11+4w2−dw/2=∫−111+4w2dw/2=∫011+4w2dw
(using the evenness of the integrand over the symmetric interval). …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-24-AN1 markMCQQ.∫−π/4π/4xtan(1+x2)dx= (A) 0 (B) 4π (C) 4−π (D) 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a symmetric-limits definite integral where checking odd/even parity instantly gives the answer without doing any actual antiderivative work: it is 0.
Concept and Intuition
For ∫−aaf(x)dx: if f is odd (f(−x)=−f(x)) the integral is 0; if f is even it equals 2∫0af(x)dx. Any function built as (odd function of x) × (function of x2) is automatically odd, because a function of x2 never changes sign under x→−x.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let f(x)=xtan(1+x2).
- Replace x by −x: f(−x)=(−x)tan(1+(−x)2)=−xtan(1+x2)=−f(x).
- So f is odd on the symmetric interval [−4π,4π]. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-19-FN1 markMCQQ.∫0π/2cosx+sinx∑n=04sin(4nπ+x)dx= (A) 2π (B) 22π (C) 23π (D) (2+1)4π
›Reveal solutionSolution
The numerator collapses to (1+2)cosx via angle-sum identities, and the resulting integral is a standard "cos/(cos+sin)" symmetric integral equal to π/4.
Concept and Intuition
Sums like ∑sin(nπ/4+x) over a few terms are best expanded using known values of sin,cos at multiples of π/4, and the resulting cosx/(cosx+sinx) type integral is solved by the standard symmetric-pair trick: define I,J with numerators swapped, use I+J and I−J.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Expand: n=0: sinx; n=1: sin(π/4+x); n=2: sin(π/2+x)=cosx; n=3: sin(3π/4+x); n=4: sin(π+x)=−sinx.
- Sum =sinx−sinx+cosx+sin(π/4+x)+sin(3π/4+x)=cosx+[sin(π/4+x)+sin(3π/4+x)].
- Sum-to-product on the bracket: 2sin(2(π/4+x)+(3π/4+x))cos(2(3π/4+x)−(π/4+x))=2sin(2π+x)cos(4π)=2cosx⋅22=2cosx.
- Total numerator =cosx+2cosx=(1+2)cosx. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-04-FN1 markMCQQ.∫0πx(sin2(sinx)+cos2(cosx))dx= (A) π2 (B) π2/2 (C) 2π (D) π/4
›Reveal solutionSolution
Uses the ∫0axf(x)dx=2a∫0af(x)dx trick (valid when f(a−x)=f(x)) plus a π/2-symmetry identity to collapse the integrand to a constant; the answer is π2/2.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever ∫0axf(x)dx appears with f(a−x)=f(x), King's Property gives ∫0axf(x)dx=2a∫0af(x)dx — the x weight averages out. Separately, sin2(sinx)+cos2(cosx) has a beautiful complementary-angle identity that makes its integral over a quarter period trivial.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let h(x)=sin2(sinx)+cos2(cosx). Check h(π−x): sin(π−x)=sinx and cos(π−x)=−cosx, and since cos(−cosx)=cos(cosx) (cosine is even), we get h(π−x)=h(x).
- By King's property, I=∫0πxh(x)dx=2π∫0πh(x)dx.
- Since h(π−x)=h(x), h is symmetric about x=π/2, so ∫0πhdx=2∫0π/2hdx.
- On [0,π/2], substitute x→π/2−x in just the cosine part: ∫0π/2cos2(cosx)dx=∫0π/2cos2(sinx)dx (since cos(π/2−x)=sinx). …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-FN1 markMCQQ.∫−ππ1+cos2xxsinxdx= (A) 43π2 (B) 2π+1 (C) 4π2 (D) 2π2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Combine the even-function property over [−π,π] with the classic x→π−x symmetry trick for integrals of xg(sinx,cosx). Answer: π2/2.
Concept and Intuition
First check parity: since sin(−x)=−sinx and cos2(−x)=cos2x, the integrand f(x)=1+cos2xxsinx satisfies f(−x)=f(x) — it's even, so the integral over [−π,π] is twice the integral over [0,π]. Then, for integrals of x times a function of sinx,cosx over [0,π], the substitution x→π−x is the standard tool to eliminate the explicit x.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Since f(−x)=f(x): ∫−ππfdx=2∫0πfdx=2J, where J=∫0π1+cos2xxsinxdx.
- Substitute x→π−x in J: sin(π−x)=sinx, cos(π−x)=−cosx (so cos2 unchanged): J=∫0π1+cos2x(π−x)sinxdx=π∫0π1+cos2xsinxdx−J.
- So 2J=πK where K=∫0π1+cos2xsinxdx. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-AN1 markMCQQ.∫0π(sin5xcos3x+sin4xcos4x+sin3xcos4x)dx= (A) 2240873 (B) 1283π+3512 (C) 44801641 (D) 1283π+354
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the x→π−x symmetry to kill the odd-cos-power term and double the even-cos-power terms' half-range integrals; a Wallis-formula and direct-substitution computation gives 1283π+354.
Concept and Intuition
For f(x)=sinaxcosbx, substituting x→π−x gives sin(π−x)=sinx but cos(π−x)=−cosx, so f(π−x)=(−1)bf(x). Splitting ∫0π=∫0π/2+∫π/2π and substituting in the second piece shows ∫0πfdx=[1+(−1)b]∫0π/2fdx — zero if b is odd, doubled if b is even.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Term 1: sin5xcos3x has b=3 (odd) ⇒∫0π=0.
- Term 2: sin4xcos4x has b=4 (even) ⇒∫0π=2∫0π/2sin4xcos4xdx. Using sinxcosx=21sin2x: sin4xcos4x=161sin4(2x). ∫0π/2sin4(2x)dx=21∫0πsin4tdt=21⋅2∫0π/2sin4tdt=∫0π/2sin4tdt=4!!3!!⋅2π=83⋅2π=163π. So ∫0π/2sin4xcos4xdx=161⋅163π=2563π, doubled gives 1283π. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-FN1 markMCQQ.∫0π/4log(1+tanx)dx= (A) πlog2+1 (B) 2πlog2+1 (C) 4πlog2 (D) 8πlog2
›Reveal solutionSolution
A textbook symmetry trick (x→π/4−x) doubles the integral into something trivial to evaluate. Answer: 8πlog2.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever the limits are 0 to a and the integrand involves tanx, trying the substitution x→a−x is a classic move — here it converts log(1+tanx) into log(1+tanx2), and adding the original and transformed integrals collapses most of the complexity.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let I=∫0π/4log(1+tanx)dx.
- Substitute x→4π−x: tan(4π−x)=1+tanx1−tanx, so 1+tan(4π−x)=1+tanx2.
- So I=∫0π/4log(1+tanx2)dx=∫0π/4log2dx−∫0π/4log(1+tanx)dx=4πlog2−I. …
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