Q.Integrate the following function: ∫secx(secx+tanx)dx
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Integration By Expansion
Integration by Expansion
The idea
Some integrands look forbidding only because they are written as a product or a power. If you first multiply them out — expand them — into a plain sum of standard terms, you can then integrate the sum term by term using the basic formulas you already know. Expansion is not a new rule of integration; it is a rewriting step that turns the integrand into something the sum rule and the power rule can finish.
This works because integration is linear: ∫(f±g)dx=∫fdx±∫gdx. Once the integrand is a sum, each piece is handled separately.
Algebraic expansion
Products and powers of polynomials are expanded first:
∫(x+2)2dx=∫(x2+4x+4)dx=3x3+2x2+4x+C.
Similarly, split a fraction into separate terms before integrating:
∫xx2+3x−1dx=∫(x+3−x1)dx=2x2+3x−log∣x∣+C.
Trigonometric expansion
Many trigonometric integrands have no direct formula in the form given, but do have one after a standard identity is used to expand them into a sum:
sin2x=21−cos2x,cos2x=21+cos2x
So, for example,
∫sin2xdx=∫21−cos2xdx=2x−4sin2x+C.
Product-to-sum identities do the same job for products such as sin3xcos5x, and sin3x, cos3x can be expanded using their triple-angle forms.
How to use it
- Look at the integrand — is it a product, a power, or a single fraction over x?
- Expand it (multiply out, or apply a trig identity) into a sum of standard terms. …
The key idea is to rewrite the integrand in terms of sec2x and secxtanx, which are standard derivatives.
First, expand the product:
secx(secx+tanx)=sec2x+secxtanx.
Now integrate term by term:
∫sec2xdx=tanx+C,∫secxtanxdx=secx+C. …
The key idea is to simplify the integrand using the identity sec2x=1+tan2x and the known derivative dxd(secx)=secxtanx. The integral evaluates to tanx+secx+C.
Concept and Intuition
When you see an integral like ∫secx(secx+tanx)dx, your first instinct might be to multiply it out and then stare at the result. That’s exactly what we’ll do, but with a purpose.
The expression secx(secx+tanx) expands to sec2x+secxtanx. Now, here’s the beautiful part: both of these terms have well-known antiderivatives. The derivative of tanx is sec2x, and the derivative of secx is secxtanx. So integrating each term separately gives us back the original functions, plus the constant of integration.
This is a classic case where the integrand is already set up as a sum of derivatives. No substitution, no trick — just recognition.
If you ever see secx(secx+tanx) in an integral, remember that it’s the derivative of tanx+secx. This is a common shortcut in competitive exams.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Expand the integrand Multiply out the expression:
secx(secx+tanx)=sec2x+secxtanx
So the integral becomes:
∫(sec2x+secxtanx)dx
- Split the integral The sum rule for integrals lets us break this into two separate integrals:
∫sec2xdx+∫secxtanxdx
- Integrate each term
- The antiderivative of sec2x is tanx, because dxd(tanx)=sec2x. …
Method: Expand a trig product into recognisable derivatives
Use this when a trig product has no direct formula but expands into terms you already know as derivatives — here secx(secx+tanx).
Steps
Step 1: Multiply out the product.
secx(secx+tanx)=sec2x+secxtanx.
Step 2: Recognise each piece as a standard derivative.
Recall dxd(tanx)=sec2x and dxd(secx)=secxtanx, so each term integrates back to a known function. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Not expanding the product first.
Why it's wrong: secx(secx+tanx) has no direct antiderivative until you expand it to sec2x+secxtanx. Correct approach: multiply out, then integrate each standard form.
Mistake 2: Confusing the antiderivatives of sec2x and secxtanx. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 19 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-FN1 markMCQQ.n=1∑∞∫01x3(1−x2)ndx= (A) 41 (B) 21 (C) 1 (D) 2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting u=x2 turns the inner integral into a Beta-function value
2(n+1)(n+2)1; summing that telescoping series over n≥1 gives 1/4.
Concept and Intuition
∫01up(1−u)qdu=B(p+1,q+1)=(p+q+1)!p!q! for non-negative integers
p,q. Once the per-n integral is reduced to this closed form, summing over n often
telescopes because (n+1)(n+2)1=n+11−n+21.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Substitute u=x2, du=2xdx. Then x3dx=x2⋅xdx=u⋅2du.
- ∫01x3(1−x2)ndx=21∫01u(1−u)ndu.
- ∫01u(1−u)ndu=B(2,n+1)=(n+2)!1!n!=(n+1)(n+2)1.
- So the per-n integral equals 2(n+1)(n+2)1. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-FN1 markMCQQ.If ∫cot2xcot3xcot6x1dx=Alogcos2x+Blogcos3x+Clogcos6x+k then A+B+C= (A) 7 (B) 11 (C) −7 (D) 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using tan3atan2atana=tan3a−tan2a−tana (with a=x/6) turns the triple-tangent product into individually-integrable tangents, giving A=−2,B=3,C=6 so A+B+C=7.
Concept and Intuition
Products of three tangents whose angles sum in a 3a=2a+a pattern often simplify via the tangent-addition identity rearranged into tan(A+B)(1−tanAtanB)=tanA+tanB, which for A+B+C= a whole angle gives tanAtanBtanC=tan(A+B+C)−tanA−tanB−tanC type relations — turning an unwieldy product integral into a sum of standard ∫tan(⋅)dx terms.
Step-by-Step Solution
- cot2xcot3xcot6x1=tan2xtan3xtan6x.
- Let a=6x; then 3x=2a and 2x=3a, so the integrand is tan3atan2atana.
- From tan(3a)=tan(2a+a)=1−tan2atanatan2a+tana, cross-multiplying: tan3a(1−tan2atana)=tan2a+tana, i.e. tan3a−tan2a−tana=tan3atan2atana.
- So the integrand equals tan2x−tan3x−tan6x.
- ∫tan2xdx=−2logcos2x (chain rule factor 2), ∫tan3xdx=−3logcos3x, ∫tan6xdx=−6logcos6x. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.∫x3−4x2+2x4−16x2+2x+8dx= (A) 2x2+8x+c (B) x2+8x+c (C) x3−4x+c (D) 2x2−8x+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
The rational integrand is actually a polynomial in disguise — long division of the numerator by the denominator leaves zero remainder, collapsing the integral to a simple polynomial integral.
Concept and Intuition
When a numerator's degree exceeds the denominator's by 1, always try polynomial long division first; if the division is exact, the "hard" rational integral vanishes into an easy polynomial one.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Divide x4+0x3−16x2+2x+8 by x3−4x2+0x+2.
- First term of quotient: x. Multiply: x4−4x3+0x2+2x. Subtract: 4x3−16x2+0x+8.
- Next term of quotient: 4. Multiply: 4x3−16x2+0x+8. Subtract: remainder =0.
- So the integrand simplifies exactly to x+4. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-AN1 markMCQQ.∫sin3xcos2xdx= (A) 5sin4xcosx−15sin2xcosx−152cosx+c (B) −5sin4xcosx−15sin2xcosx+152cosx+c (C) 5sin4xcosx−15sin2xcosx+152x+c (D) 5sin4xcosx+3sin2xcosx−152x+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Splitting off one sinx as d(cosx) and using sin2x=1−cos2x reduces the integral to powers of cosx, which re-expressed in sinx,cosx mixed form matches option (A).
Concept and Intuition
For ∫sinoddxcosevenxdx, peel off one factor of sinx to pair with dx (since d(cosx)=−sinxdx), turning the rest into a polynomial in cosx via sin2x=1−cos2x.
Step-by-Step Solution
- sin3xcos2x=sinx(1−cos2x)cos2x=sinxcos2x−sinxcos4x.
- ∫sinxcos2xdx=−3cos3x, and ∫sinxcos4xdx=−5cos5x.
- So the integral is −3cos3x−(−5cos5x)=5cos5x−3cos3x+c.
- Rewrite using cos5x=(1−sin2x)2cosx and cos3x=(1−sin2x)cosx: 51(1−2sin2x+sin4x)cosx−31(1−sin2x)cosx. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-FN1 markMCQQ.If ∫x2+1x4+1dx=Ax3+Bx2+Cx+Dtan−1x+E, then A+B+C+D= (A) 23 (B) 34 (C) 31 (D) 32
›Reveal solutionSolution
Polynomial division turns x2+1x4+1 into x2−1+x2+12, whose integral matches the given form with A+B+C+D=34.
Concept and Intuition
When the numerator's degree is higher than the denominator's, divide first (or find a clever algebraic split) to reduce the integral to standard forms — here a polynomial plus a tan−1 term.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write x4+1=(x2+1)(x2−1)+2 — check: (x2+1)(x2−1)=x4−1, plus 2 gives x4+1. ✓
- So x2+1x4+1=x2−1+x2+12.
- Integrate term by term: ∫(x2−1)dx+∫x2+12dx=3x3−x+2tan−1x+E. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-FN1 markMCQQ.∫02x2(2−x)5dx= (A) 21128 (B) 764 (C) 2132 (D) 716
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests the standard Beta-integral shortcut ∫0axm(a−x)ndx=am+n+1(m+n+1)!m!n!, which avoids expanding (2−x)5 by hand.
Concept and Intuition
Any integral of the form ∫0axm(a−x)ndx is a scaled Beta function: substituting x=at turns it into am+n+1∫01tm(1−t)ndt=am+n+1B(m+1,n+1), and B(p,q)=(p+q−1)!(p−1)!(q−1)! for positive integers. This is far quicker than binomially expanding (2−x)5 and integrating term by term.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Identify a=2, m=2, n=5, so m+n+1=8.
- Apply the formula: I=a8⋅8!m!n!=28⋅8!2!5!.
- Compute: 28=256, 2!=2, 5!=120, 8!=40320.
- I=256⋅403202⋅120=256⋅40320240=4032061440. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-FN1 markMCQQ.If 729∫13x3(x2+9)21dx=a+logb, then a−b= (A) 4 (B) −54 (C) 54 (D) −4
›Reveal solutionSolution
A partial-fraction decomposition (using u=x2 to exploit the odd symmetry) reduces the integral to elementary logs and rational terms; evaluating between 1 and 3 gives 521−ln5, so a−b=4.
Concept and Intuition
Since the integrand is an odd function of x (odd power of x times an even function of x), substituting u=x2 inside a partial-fraction split of u(u+9)21 handles the repeated quadratic factor cleanly, after which everything integrates to logs and negative powers of x.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write x3(x2+9)21=x1⋅x2(x2+9)21 and set u=x2: partial fractions give u(u+9)21=u1/81−u+91/81−(u+9)21/9.
- Substituting back and further decomposing x(x2+9)1 and x(x2+9)21 (standard partial fractions), one arrives at the antiderivative
I(x)=−162x21−162(x2+9)1−7292logx+7291log(x2+9)+C,
which can be verified by direct differentiation to reproduce x3(x2+9)21.
3. Multiply by 729: 729I(x)=−x24.5−x2+94.5−2logx+log(x2+9)+C′. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-FN1 markMCQQ.∫sin2xsin5xsin7xdx= (A) log(sin5xsin2x)+c (B) logsin5x+logsin2x+c (C) 51logsin5x+21logsin2x+c (D) 51logsinx+21logsinx+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Splitting sin7x=sin(2x+5x) via the angle-sum formula turns the fraction into a sum of two cotangents. Answer: option (C).
Concept and Intuition
Whenever an integral has sin(sum of two angles) over the product of the sines of those two angles, expanding the numerator using the angle-addition formula is the key trick — it makes the fraction split into two simple cot terms.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Note 7x=2x+5x, so sin7x=sin2xcos5x+cos2xsin5x.
- Divide by sin2xsin5x: sin2xsin5xsin7x=sin5xcos5x+sin2xcos2x=cot5x+cot2x.
- Integrate term by term: ∫cot5xdx=51log∣sin5x∣, and ∫cot2xdx=21log∣sin2x∣.
- Sum: 51logsin5x+21logsin2x+c.
Common Mistakes …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.If ∫x+4x4xdx=32[A4x3+B4x2+C4x+Dlog(1+4x)]+K then 32(A+B+C+D)= (A) 2/3 (B) −2/3 (C) 4/3 (D) −4/3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitute t=x1/4 to turn the integral into a rational function of t; polynomial-divide, integrate, and match coefficients.
Concept and Intuition
When an integrand only involves x1/2 and x1/4, substituting t=x1/4 (the finest common root) rationalizes everything into a polynomial/rational function of t, which is then straightforward to integrate by polynomial long division.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let t=x1/4, so x=t4 and dx=4t3dt. Also x1/2=t2.
- The integral becomes ∫t2+tt⋅4t3dt=∫t+14t3dt (cancelling one factor of t from t(t+1)).
- Polynomial divide: t3=(t+1)(t2−t+1)−1, so t+1t3=t2−t+1−t+11.
- So the integral is 4∫(t2−t+1−t+11)dt=4[3t3−2t2+t−log(t+1)]+K=34t3−2t2+4t−4log(t+1)+K. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-17-AN1 markMCQQ.If Cj stands for nCj, then 2C0+2.22C1+3.23C2+…+(n+1)2n+1Cn= (A) 2n+1(n+1)3n (B) 2n+1(n+1)3n+1 (C) 2n(n+1)3n (D) 2n(n+1)3n+1
›Reveal solutionSolution
The sum is a disguised integral of a binomial expansion. By recognizing each term as 2n+11∫01/2tkdt and summing, we get 2n+1(n+1)1(1+21)n+1−2n+1(n+1)1=2n+1(n+1)3n+1−1, but the given sum starts at k=0 with denominator (k+1)2k+1, leading to 2n+1(n+1)3n+1−1. However, the options lack the −1 term; rechecking shows the sum is actually n+11[(1+21)n+1−1]=2n+1(n+1)3n+1−2n+1, which matches option (B) after correcting the index: the sum is 2n+1(n+1)3n+1 only if we include a missing term? Wait — careful: the sum runs k=0 to n, so the integral method gives 2n+1(n+1)1[(1+1/2)n+1−1]=2n+1(n+1)3n+1−2n+1. None of the options match that. Let's re-derive properly: The sum is ∑k=0n(k+1)2k+1Ck=2n+11∑k=0nk+12n−kCk. Use identity k+1Ck=n+11Ck+1n+1. Then sum becomes 2n+1(n+1)1∑k=0n2n−kCk+1n+1=2n+1(n+1)1∑j=1n+12n+1−jCjn+1=2n+1(n+1)1[(1+2)n+1−2n+1]=2n+1(n+1)3n+1−2n+1. This is not among options. But wait — the problem writes 2C0+2⋅22C1+⋯; the first term is C0/2=1/2. For n=1, sum = 1/2+1/(2⋅4)=1/2+1/8=5/8. Option (B) gives 32/(22⋅2)=9/8, too big. Option (A): 31/(22⋅2)=3/8, too small. So none match? There's a misprint: likely the sum is 1⋅21C0+2⋅22C1+⋯+(n+1)2n+1Cn, which equals 2n+1(n+1)3n+1−1? No. Let's check standard result: ∑k=0nk+1Ck=n+12n+1−1. Here we have extra 2−(k+1), so it's n+11[(1+21)n+1−1]=n+11[2n+13n+1−1]=2n+1(n+1)3n+1−2n+1. Still not matching. Given options, the intended answer is likely (B) 2n+1(n+1)3n+1, which would arise if the sum started from k=0 to n but with an extra factor? Actually, if the sum were ∑k=0n(k+1)2kCk then it becomes 2n(n+1)3n+1−1? Not. Let's trust the standard integral method: ∫01/2(1+x)ndx=n+1(3/2)n+1−1=∑k=0nk+1Ck(1/2)k+1. So the sum is exactly n+1(3/2)n+1−1=2n+1(n+1)3n+1−2n+1. Since that's not an option, the problem likely has a typo and expects (B) as the closest, or they meant the sum without the −1 term. Many textbooks give ∑k=0n(k+1)2k+1Ck=2n+1(n+1)3n+1−2n+1, but here the options suggest they forgot the −2n+1 term. Given the pattern, option (B) is the only one with 3n+1 and 2n+1(n+1) denominator. So we select (B).
The sum is a binomial expansion integrated termwise from 0 to 1/2. The result simplifies to 2n+1(n+1)3n+1−2n+1, but among the given choices, option (B) 2n+1(n+1)3n+1 is the intended answer (likely a slight misprint in the problem).
Concept and Intuition: Integration By Expansion
When you see a sum of the form ∑k+1Ckak+1, think of the integral ∫0a(1+x)ndx. Why? Because expanding (1+x)n=∑Ckxk and integrating termwise gives ∑Ckk+1ak+1. Here a=1/2, so the sum is exactly that integral. This turns a messy finite sum into a clean closed form.
Step-by-step solution
-
Recognize the pattern
The general term is (k+1)2k+1Ck, where Ck=(kn). This looks like 2k+11⋅k+1Ck. The factor k+11 suggests an integral: ∫01/2xkdx=k+1(1/2)k+1.
-
Rewrite the sum as an integral
-
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-17-AN1 markMCQQ.∫cosx(1+cosx)1−cosxdx= (A) log∣secx+tanx∣−2(cscx−cotx)+C (B) log∣secx+tanx∣−2(cscx+cotx)+C (C) log∣secx+tanx∣+2(cscx−cotx)+C (D) log∣secx+tanx∣+2(cscx+cotx)+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Splitting the integrand by partial fractions in cosx reduces it to secx−sec2(x/2), whose integral, rewritten via the half-angle identity tan(x/2)=cscx−cotx, matches option (A).
Concept and Intuition
Treating c=cosx as the variable lets us do ordinary partial fractions; then the half-angle substitution 1+cosx=2cos2(x/2) turns the resulting term into a standard sec2 integral.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let c=cosx. Write c(1+c)1−c=cA+1+cB: 1−c=A(1+c)+Bc. At c=0: A=1. At c=−1: 2=−B⇒B=−2.
- So the integrand =cosx1−1+cosx2=secx−2cos2(x/2)2=secx−sec2(x/2).
- ∫secxdx=log∣secx+tanx∣+C.
- ∫sec2(x/2)dx=2tan(x/2), so −2∫sec2(x/2)⋅21dx... directly: ∫1+cosx2dx=2tan(x/2). …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.∫sin(x−a)cos(x−b)dx= (A) sin(a−b)1logcos(x−b)sin(x−a)+C (B) cos(b−a)1logcos(x−b)sin(x−a)+C (C) cos(b−a)1[log∣sin(x−a)cos(x−b)∣]+C (D) sin(a−b)1[log∣sin(x−a)cos(x−b)∣]+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a classic 'insert a constant angle difference' trick: express cos(a−b) (a constant) using the compound-angle formula on (x−a) and (x−b), then split the integrand into cot(x−a)+tan(x−b), each of which integrates to a log.
Concept and Intuition
When an integrand has sin(x−a)cos(x−b) in the denominator, the key observation is that (x−a)−(x−b)=b−a is a constant (independent of x). This lets us build a compound-angle identity for cos(b−a) or sin(b−a) purely in terms of (x−a) and (x−b), and divide through to split the fraction into two integrable pieces (cot and tan).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Note (x−a)−(x−b)=b−a, so cos(b−a)=cos[(x−a)−(x−b)]=cos(x−a)cos(x−b)+sin(x−a)sin(x−b).
- Divide both sides by sin(x−a)cos(x−b):
sin(x−a)cos(x−b)cos(b−a)=sin(x−a)cos(x−a)+cos(x−b)sin(x−b)=cot(x−a)+tan(x−b)
- So sin(x−a)cos(x−b)1=cos(b−a)1[cot(x−a)+tan(x−b)].
- Integrate: ∫[cot(x−a)+tan(x−b)]dx=log∣sin(x−a)∣−log∣cos(x−b)∣=logcos(x−b)sin(x−a). …
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