Q.Evaluate: ∫xx4−1dx (Hint: Put x2=secθ)
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🔒 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)∣ …
The hint tells us to use x2=secθ, which is exactly the substitution that clears the square root.
Let x2=secθ. Then 2xdx=secθtanθdθ, so dx=2xsecθtanθdθ. Also x4−1=sec2θ−1=tanθ.
Substitute:
∫xx4−1dx=∫xtanθ1⋅2xsecθtanθdθ=∫2x2secθdθ. …
The substitution x2=secθ turns x4−1 into tanθ and collapses the whole integrand to a constant 21, giving 21sec−1(x2)+C.
Why this substitution
Write x4−1=(x2)2−1. The identity sec2θ−1=tan2θ is the perfect match for (x2)2−1, so putting x2=secθ removes the square root cleanly. The stray x in the denominator combines with the x coming from dx to give x2, which then cancels against secθ.
Step 1 — Set up the substitution
Let x2=secθ. Differentiating, 2xdx=secθtanθdθ, so
dx=2xsecθtanθdθ.
Step 2 — Simplify the radical
x4−1=(x2)2−1=sec2θ−1=tan2θ=tanθ,
taking θ∈[0,2π) (the principal range where tanθ≥0), consistent with sec−1.
Step 3 — Rewrite the integral
∫xx4−1dx=∫xtanθ1⋅2xsecθtanθdθ=∫2x2secθdθ.
The two x factors produced 2x2 in the denominator, and tanθ cancelled.
Step 4 — Use x2=secθ again
Replacing x2 by secθ, …
Method: Substitution reducing ∫xx2n−1dx to arcsecant
Use this when a denominator has x times a root of an even power of x minus 1. Multiplying by x/x and substituting the even power reveals the arcsecant standard form.
Steps
Step 1: Introduce the matching power via x/x.
For xx4−11, write it as x2x4−1x so an xdx is available.
Step 2: Substitute u=x2.
du=2xdx,x2x4−1xdx=21uu2−1du.
Step 3: Apply the arcsecant standard form. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Not manufacturing the xdx differential.
Why it's wrong: substituting u=x2 needs an xdx; without multiplying by x/x the differential doesn't appear. Correct approach: rewrite as x2x4−1x first.
Mistake 2: Confusing the arcsec and arcsin forms. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 51 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-FN1 markMCQQ.∫x2x4+x2+1x4−1dx= (A) x2x4+x2+1+c (B) xx4+x2+1+c (C) 2xx4+x2+1+c (D) x4x4+x2+1+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiating the candidate xx4+x2+1 reproduces the given integrand exactly, confirming it as the antiderivative.
Concept and Intuition
When an integrand looks like it could come from a quotient rule (a square root over a power of x), it is often faster to differentiate a plausible candidate of that shape and check, rather than search for a substitution from scratch.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Try g(x)=xx4+x2+1=xN where N=x4+x2+1.
- N′=2x4+x2+14x3+2x=Nx(2x2+1).
- Quotient rule: g′(x)=x2N′x−N=x2Nx2(2x2+1)−N=Nx2x2(2x2+1)−N2.
- N2=x4+x2+1, so the numerator is x2(2x2+1)−(x4+x2+1)=2x4+x2−x4−x2−1=x4−1.
- So g′(x)=x2x4+x2+1x4−1 — exactly the given integrand. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-AN1 markMCQQ.∫x2(x4+1)3/4dx= (A) (1+x41)3/4+c (B) (1+x61)1/2+c (C) −(1+x41)−1/4+c (D) −(1+x41)1/4+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Pulling x4 out from under the radical and substituting t=1+x−4 reduces the integral to a simple power rule, giving −(1+1/x4)1/4+c.
Concept and Intuition
When the integrand has (xn+1)p, it often helps to factor out the highest power of x from inside the bracket so that a substitution like t=1+x−n produces a clean differential matching the rest of the integrand.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write (x4+1)3/4=(x4(1+x41))3/4=x3(1+x41)3/4.
- So x2(x4+1)3/41=x2⋅x3(1+x41)3/41=x5(1+x41)3/41=x−5(1+x−4)−3/4.
- Let t=1+x−4. Then dt=−4x−5dx, so x−5dx=−4dt. …
- 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 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 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-FN1 markMCQQ.If n≥2 is a natural number and 0<θ<2π, then ∫cosn+1θ(cosnθ−cosθ)1/nsinθdθ= (A) n−1n(cos(1−n)θ−1)2+c (B) (n+1)(1−n)n(cos(1−n)θ−1)1+n1+c (C) n−11(cos(n−1)θ−1)2+c (D) 1−n2n(1−cos(1−n)θ)(n+1)/n
›Reveal solutionSolution
Factor out cosnθ from inside the radical to isolate a clean power of cosθ, then substitute w=cos1−nθ to reduce the whole integral to ∫w1/ndw.
Concept and Intuition
The key move is factoring cosnθ−cosθ=cosnθ(1−cos1−nθ) so the n-th root pulls a clean cosθ outside, cancelling nicely against the cosn+1θ in the denominator and leaving a single power of w=cos1−nθ whose differential exactly matches sinθdθ/cosnθ in the integrand.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Factor: cosnθ−cosθ=cosnθ(1−cos1−nθ), so
(cosnθ−cosθ)1/n=cosθ(1−cos1−nθ)1/n.
- Divide by cosn+1θ:
cosn+1θ(cosnθ−cosθ)1/n=cosnθ(1−cos1−nθ)1/n.
- Let w=cos1−nθ. Then dθdw=(1−n)cos−nθ⋅(−sinθ)=(n−1)sinθcos−nθ, so cosnθsinθdθ=n−1dw.
- The whole integrand times dθ becomes (1−w)1/n⋅n−1dw — wait, more directly w1/n is the factor (1−cos1−nθ)1/n once we track 1−cos1−nθ as the base; carrying the substitution through consistently: …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.∫(1+sinx)4cos3xdx= (A) −5(1+sinx)5cos4x+c (B) 5(1+sinx)5cos4x+c (C) 4(1+sinx)4cos4x+c (D) −4(1+sinx)4cos4x+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Factor cos3x using cos2x=(1−sinx)(1+sinx) and substitute t=sinx; the resulting antiderivative can equivalently be written in the cos4x/(1+sinx)4 form given in the options (they differ only by an added constant). Answer: −4(1+sinx)4cos4x+c.
Concept and Intuition
Integrals of cosoddx over powers of (1+sinx) are handled by peeling off one factor of cosx to pair with dx (making d(sinx)) and expressing the remaining even power of cosx in terms of sinx. Since the MCQ options are phrased in terms of cos4x rather than sinx directly, it is often faster (and safer against sign traps) to guess-and-check an antiderivative of that shape by differentiating a general form Acos4x(1+sinx)−n and matching powers/coefficients — this is exactly how the printed option is confirmed.
Step-by-Step Solution
- cos3x=cosx⋅cos2x=cosx(1−sin2x)=cosx(1−sinx)(1+sinx).
- Integrand =(1+sinx)4cosx(1−sinx)(1+sinx)=(1+sinx)3cosx(1−sinx).
- Let t=sinx, dt=cosxdx: I=∫(1+t)31−tdt. Writing 1−t=2−(1+t): I=∫((1+t)32−(1+t)21)dt=−(1+t)21+1+t1+c=(1+t)2t+c.
- So I=(1+sinx)2sinx+c is one valid closed form. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.∫(secx+tanx)5/2sec2xdx= (A) −5(secx+tanx)5/2−7(secx+tanx)7/2+c (B) −5(secx−tanx)5/2−7(secx−tanx)7/2+c (C) −3(secx+tanx)3/2−7(secx+tanx)7/2+c (D) −3(secx−tanx)3/2−7(secx−tanx)7/2+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
A substitution t=secx+tanx (which pairs neatly with secx−tanx=1/t) reduces this odd-looking integral to a simple power-rule integral, whose answer re-expresses in terms of secx−tanx.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever secx+tanx appears, remember its reciprocal identity (secx+tanx)(secx−tanx)=1, and that dxd(secx+tanx)=secx(secx+tanx) — this makes t=secx+tanx a natural substitution whenever secxdx multiplies a function of t.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let t=secx+tanx. Then dt=secx(secx+tanx)dx=secx⋅tdx, so secxdx=tdt.
- Also secx−tanx=t1, so secx=2t+1/t=2tt2+1.
- The integral ∫t5/2sec2xdx=∫t5/2secx⋅(secxdx)=∫t5/2secx⋅tdt=∫t7/2secxdt.
- Substitute secx=2tt2+1: integral =∫2t9/2t2+1dt=21∫(t−5/2+t−9/2)dt.
- =21[−32t−3/2−72t−7/2]+c=−3t−3/2−7t−7/2+c. …
- 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 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 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 2024Set eng-2024-05-20-AN1 markMCQQ.∫sin3xcos(x−α)dx= (A) cosα1cotx+tanα+c (B) cosα1cotx−tanα+c (C) sinα−1cotx+tanα+c (D) cosα−2cotx+tanα+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Expanding cos(x−α) and substituting u=cotx reduces this to a simple square-root integral; final answer is (D).
Concept and Intuition
The key move is expanding cos(x−α) and factoring out sin4x from inside the square root so that a substitution u=cotx (whose differential is −csc2xdx, conveniently matching what's left outside) linearizes the whole thing.
Step-by-Step Solution
- cos(x−α)=cosxcosα+sinxsinα.
- sin3xcos(x−α)=sin3xcosxcosα+sin4xsinα=sin4x(sinxcosxcosα+sinα)=sin4x(cotxcosα+sinα).
- So sin3xcos(x−α)=sin2xcotxcosα+sinα (taking sin2x>0 outside the root).
- The integral is ∫sin2xcosαcotx+sinαdx=∫cosαcotx+sinαcsc2xdx.
- Let u=cotx, du=−csc2xdx. Integral becomes −∫cosαu+sinαdu=−cosα2cosαu+sinα+c. …
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