Q.If ∫0a1+4x2dx=8π, then a= _______.
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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)∣ …
Concept: U Substitution — the integral matches the standard form ∫1+x2dx=tan−1x+C, so we factor the constant inside the square.
We have:
∫0a1+4x2dx=∫0a1+(2x)2dx.
Let u=2x, so du=2dx and dx=2du. When x=0, u=0; when x=a, u=2a. The integral becomes:
∫02a1+u21⋅2du=21[tan−1u]02a=21tan−1(2a). …
The key idea is to recognise the integrand as the derivative of 21tan−1(2x), then use the given value of the definite integral to solve for a. The answer is a=21.
We are given:
∫0a1+4x2dx=8π
and need to find a.
The integrand 1+4x21 looks almost like the derivative of tan−1x, which is 1+x21. The difference is the 4x2 instead of x2. This suggests a substitution that turns 4x2 into u2.
Why substitution works here: If we let u=2x, then du=2dx, so dx=2du. Also 4x2=(2x)2=u2. The integrand becomes 1+u21⋅2du, which is exactly 21 times the derivative of tan−1u. This is a standard pattern: whenever you see a2+x2dx, think of a1tan−1(ax).
Let’s work through it step by step.
-
Set up the substitution.
Let u=2x. Then du=2dx, so dx=2du.
When x=0, u=0. When x=a, u=2a.
-
Rewrite the integral.
∫0a1+4x2dx=∫u=0u=2a1+u21⋅2du=21∫02a1+u2du
- Evaluate the standard integral. We know ∫1+u2du=tan−1u+C. So:
21∫02a1+u2du=21[tan−1u]02a=21(tan−1(2a)−tan−1(0))
Since tan−1(0)=0, this simplifies to:
21tan−1(2a)
- Set equal to the given value. The problem states this equals 8π:
21tan−1(2a)=8π
- Solve for a. …
Method: Matching ∫1+k2x2dx to the arctangent form
For a "find the limit/constant" problem built on ∫1+k2x2dx, evaluate via the standard arctan integral, then solve the resulting equation.
Steps
Step 1: Reduce to the standard form.
Substitute u=kx (here u=2x) so ∫1+k2x2dx=k1tan−1(kx). Equivalently use ∫a2+x2dx=a1tan−1ax.
Step 2: Apply the limits. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Writing ∫1+4x2dx=tan−1(2x) without the 21.
Why it's wrong: dxdtan−1(2x)=1+4x22, so the integral is 21tan−1(2x). Correct approach: keep the 21, giving 21tan−1(2a)=8π⇒a=21. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 51 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-FN1 markMCQQ.∫1+x8x3tan−1x4dx= (A) 8(tan−1(x4))2+c (B) 3(tan−1(x4))3+c (C) 4(tan−1(x4))2+c (D) 2(tan−1(x4))2+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
A double substitution (first u=x4, then v=tan−1u) turns this into a trivial ∫vdv. Answer: 8(tan−1x4)2+c.
Concept and Intuition
The presence of x3dx alongside x4 inside the arctan and x8=(x4)2 in the denominator is a strong signal to substitute u=x4 first. After that, the structure tan−1u⋅1+u2du is exactly of the form "function times its own derivative," solved by a second substitution.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=x4, so du=4x3dx⇒x3dx=4du.
- The integral becomes ∫1+u2tan−1u⋅4du=41∫1+u2tan−1udu. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-AN1 markMCQQ.If ∫2cosx+3sinx+4dx=32f(x)+c, then f(32π)= (A) 12π (B) 8π (C) 125π (D) 85π
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a Weierstrass (t=tan(x/2)) substitution problem for a linear combination of sine and cosine plus a constant in the denominator. Evaluating f at the given point gives 125π, option (C).
Concept and Intuition
Whenever the denominator mixes sinx, cosx and a constant, the universal substitution t=tan(x/2) (with cosx=1+t21−t2, sinx=1+t22t, dx=1+t22dt) converts the trigonometric denominator into a plain quadratic in t, reducing the whole problem to a standard ∫quadraticdt that integrates to an arctangent.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Substitute: denominator becomes
2⋅1+t21−t2+3⋅1+t22t+4=1+t22−2t2+6t+4+4t2=1+t22t2+6t+6.
- The integral becomes ∫(2t2+6t+6)/(1+t2)2dt/(1+t2)=∫2t2+6t+62dt=∫t2+3t+3dt.
- Complete the square: t2+3t+3=(t+23)2+43, so ∫(t+23)2+43dt=3/21arctan(3/2t+3/2)+c=32arctan(32t+3)+c. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.If ∫sin2x+sin4xcos3xdx=c−cosecx−f(x), then f(2π)= (A) 1 (B) 0 (C) 2π (D) π
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting s=sinx and partial-fractioning gives −cosecx−2Tan−1(sinx), so f(x)=2Tan−1(sinx) and f(π/2)=π/2.
Concept and Intuition
Writing cos3xdx=cos2x⋅cosxdx=(1−sin2x)d(sinx) converts a trig integral into an algebraic one in s=sinx, which is then handled by ordinary partial fractions.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let s=sinx, so ds=cosxdx, and cos3xdx=(1−s2)ds.
- The integral becomes ∫s2+s41−s2ds=∫s2(1+s2)1−s2ds.
- Partial fractions (in u=s2): u(1+u)1−u=u1−1+u2, so the integrand is s21−1+s22.
- Integrating: ∫(s21−1+s22)ds=−s1−2Tan−1s+C=−cosecx−2Tan−1(sinx)+C. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-24-FN1 markMCQQ.If ∫3x{1+3x4}1/7dx=A(1+3x4)B+C, then value of AB= ____ (A) 23 (B) 43 (C) 323 (D) 34
›Reveal solutionSolution
A direct substitution u=1+x4/3 turns the integral into a simple power rule, from which A and B are read off and multiplied.
Concept and Intuition
When the integrand contains x1/3 times a function of x4/3, substituting u=1+x4/3 (whose derivative involves exactly x1/3dx) is the natural simplification.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=1+x4/3. Then du=34x1/3dx⇒x1/3dx=43du.
- The integral ∫x1/3(1+x4/3)1/7dx=43∫u1/7du.
- ∫u1/7du=8/7u8/7=87u8/7.
- So the integral =43⋅87u8/7+C=3221(1+x4/3)8/7+C. …
- 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 2022Set eng-2022-07-08-FN1 markMCQQ.0<x<1, ∫x2−x5dx=31log∣f(x)∣+C, then f(1/2)= (A) 8+78−7 (B) 8−78+7 (C) 2(8−7) (D) 2(8−7)2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting t=x3 then 1−t=w2 integrates ∫dx/(x1−x3) cleanly to 31log1+1−x31−1−x3, and evaluating at x=1/2 gives 8+78−7.
Concept and Intuition
The key simplification is x2−x5=x2(1−x3), since 0<x<1 makes x>0 so x2(1−x3)=x1−x3. From there, the substitution t=x3 turns the integral into the very standard form ∫t1−tdt, solvable by a further substitution 1−t=w2.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Rewrite: I=∫x2−x5dx=∫x1−x3dx (using x>0).
- Let t=x3⇒dt=3x2dx⇒dx=3x2dt. Then I=∫3x2⋅x1−tdt=∫3x31−tdt=31∫t1−tdt (since x3=t).
- Let 1−t=w2⇒t=1−w2, dt=−2wdw: ∫t1−tdt=∫(1−w2)w−2wdw=−2∫1−w2dw=−log1−w1+w=log1+w1−w.
- So I=31log1+w1−w+C where w=1−t=1−x3, i.e. f(x)=1+1−x31−1−x3.
- Verify by differentiating (chain rule through w) that this reproduces x1−x31 — confirmed. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-16-AN1 markMCQQ.If u(n)=∫0π/2(1+sint)nsin2tdt, n∈N, then u(4)= (A) 528π (B) 35128 (C) 15129 (D) 1568π
›Reveal solutionSolution
A clever substitution x=1+sint turns u(n) into a simple polynomial integral in x; evaluating it for n=4 gives u(4)=15129.
Concept and Intuition
The integrand mixes (1+sint)n with sin2t=2sintcost. Whenever you see (1+sint) raised to a power together with costdt-type factors, the substitution x=1+sint (so dx=costdt) is the natural move — it converts a trigonometric integral into an ordinary polynomial integral, which is easy to evaluate exactly.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let x=1+sint⇒dx=costdt, and sint=x−1.
- Rewrite sin2tdt=2sintcostdt=2(x−1)dx.
- Limits: at t=0, x=1; at t=π/2, x=2.
- So u(n)=∫12xn⋅2(x−1)dx=2∫12(xn+1−xn)dx.
- General form: u(n)=2[n+2xn+2−n+1xn+1]12=2(n+22n+2−1−n+12n+1−1). …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-08-AN1 markMCQQ.∫15(1+x2)12(2+x2)18xdx=α(2+x21+x2)1/n+C⇒αn= (A) 6 (B) 4 (C) 2 (D) 8
›Reveal solutionSolution
With u=x2, the integrand's exponents −12/15=−4/5 and −18/15=−6/5 match exactly the derivative of (2+u1+u)1/5, giving α=5/2,n=5 and n/α=2.
Concept and Intuition
When an integrand looks like (1+u)p(2+u)q with p+q=−1 (here −4/5−6/5=−2... check exponents sum), it's often the derivative of a power of the ratio (2+u1+u)k — differentiating a power of a quotient of two linear factors naturally produces exactly this product-of-powers structure.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Substitute u=x2, du=2xdx: ∫[(1+x2)12(2+x2)18]1/15xdx=21∫(1+u)−12/15(2+u)−18/15du=21∫(1+u)−4/5(2+u)−6/5du.
- Try g(u)=(2+u1+u)k. Then g′(u)=k(2+u1+u)k−1⋅(2+u)2(2+u)−(1+u)=k(1+u)k−1(2+u)−k−1.
- Match exponents: k−1=−54⇒k=51; check −k−1=−56 ✓ (consistent).
- So g′(u)=51(1+u)−4/5(2+u)−6/5, hence ∫(1+u)−4/5(2+u)−6/5du=5g(u)+C. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-06-AN1 markMCQQ.∫cos4xcos2x1dx=421log(1−f(x)1+f(x))−21logg(x)+C, then g(6π)−2f(6π)= (A) 22π (B) π+3 (C) 2 (D) 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Solving the integral via t=sin2x identifies f(x)=2sin2x and g(x)=1−sin2x1+sin2x; evaluating at x=π/6 gives g(π/6)−2f(π/6)=2.
Concept and Intuition
The integral ∫cos4xcos2xdx is tackled by substituting t=sin2x, since cos4x=1−2sin22x=1−2t2 turns the whole integrand into a rational function of t, solvable by partial fractions into two logarithmic terms — one built from 1−t2 and one from 1−2t2, matching exactly the two-log structure given in the problem.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let t=sin2x, so dt=2cos2xdx and cos4x=1−2t2.
- Rewriting the integral in terms of t: ∫cos4xcos2xdx=∫2(1−t2)(1−2t2)dt.
- Partial fractions: (1−t2)(1−2t2)1=1−t2−1+1−2t22.
- Integrating each piece gives standard log forms: one in 1−t1+t (from the 1−t2 term) and one in 1−2t1+2t (from the 1−2t2 term), exactly matching the pattern 421log1−f1+f−21logg with f(x)=2sin2x and g(x)=1−sin2x1+sin2x.
- Evaluate at x=π/6: 2x=π/3, sin(π/3)=23. …
- 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 2021Set eng-2021-08-23-AN1 markMCQQ.Find the value of k if ∫cosk(x)sin(x)dx=4−1cos4(x)+c (A) 4 (B) 3 (C) 2 (D) 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiate the given antiderivative and match powers of cosx to find k=3.
Concept and Intuition
When an integral is given in the form ∫cosk(x)sin(x)dx=F(x)+c, the fastest way to find k is not to integrate but to differentiate the claimed answer F(x) — the derivative must reproduce the original integrand exactly.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Differentiate F(x)=−41cos4x:
F′(x)=−41⋅4cos3x⋅(−sinx)=cos3xsinx.
- This must equal the integrand coskxsinx.
- Comparing powers of cosx: k=3. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-AN1 markMCQQ.If ∫(1+sinθ)(3−cos2θ)sin2θdθ=21tan−1(sinθ)+41log(f(θ))+c then f(2π)−f(0)= (A) 21 (B) −21 (C) 0 (D) −43
›Reveal solutionSolution
Reducing the integral via t=sinθ and partial fractions identifies f(θ)=(1+sinθ)21+sin2θ, giving f(π/2)−f(0)=−1/2.
Concept and Intuition
Double-angle identities collapse sin2θ and 3−cos2θ into expressions purely in sinθ and cosθ; then t=sinθ (since cosθdθ=dt appears naturally) turns the whole thing into a rational-function integral solvable by partial fractions — a very standard pattern for trig integrals with even powers/mixed degree-2 denominators.
Step-by-Step Solution
- sin2θ=2sinθcosθ; cos2θ=1−2sin2θ⇒3−cos2θ=2+2sin2θ=2(1+sin2θ).
- Integrand becomes (1+sinθ)⋅2(1+sin2θ)2sinθcosθ=(1+sinθ)(1+sin2θ)sinθcosθ.
- Substitute t=sinθ, dt=cosθdθ: integral =∫(1+t)(1+t2)tdt.
- Partial fractions: (1+t)(1+t2)t=1+t−1/2+1+t2(1/2)t+1/2 (solve t=A(1+t2)+(Bt+C)(1+t), giving A=−1/2, B=1/2, C=1/2).
- Integrate: −21log(1+t)+41log(1+t2)+21tan−1t+c. …
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