Q.Integrate the following function: 1+x2etan−1x
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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 key idea is U Substitution: the derivative of tan−1x appears in the denominator, making the substitution natural.
Let u=tan−1x. Then du=1+x21dx.
The integral becomes:
∫eudu=eu+C. …
The integral simplifies via the substitution u=tan−1x, because the denominator 1+x2 is exactly the derivative of tan−1x. The result is etan−1x+C.
Why This Approach Works
When you see an integral like 1+x2etan−1x, the key is to notice the structure: the numerator contains etan−1x, and the denominator is 1+x2. The derivative of tan−1x is 1+x21. This is a classic setup for U Substitution — you have a function and its derivative (up to a constant) appearing together. The exponential function eu is one of the easiest functions to integrate, so letting u=tan−1x turns the messy expression into a clean exponential integral.
Whenever you see esomething multiplied by the derivative of that "something", substitution is almost always the way. Here, the "something" is tan−1x, and its derivative 1+x21 is right there.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Set up the substitution. Let u=tan−1x. Then differentiate:
dxdu=1+x21
This implies du=1+x2dx.
- Rewrite the integral in terms of u. The original integral is:
∫1+x2etan−1xdx
Substituting u and du gives:
∫eudu …
Method: Substitute an inverse-trig exponent
Use this when e is raised to tan−1x and the factor 1+x21 (the derivative of tan−1x) is present.
Steps
Step 1: Identify the exponent and its derivative.
dxd(tan−1x)=1+x21, which is exactly the multiplier in the integrand.
Step 2: Substitute u=tan−1x. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Not recognising 1+x21 as the derivative of tan−1x.
Why it's wrong: without this the exponent's derivative goes unnoticed and the substitution is missed. Correct approach: recall dxdtan−1x=1+x21 and set u=tan−1x.
Mistake 2: Trying to integrate 1+x21 and etan−1x separately. …
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 2022Set eng-2022-07-06-FN1 markMCQQ.∫(sinx+cosx+2sin2x)21dx= (A) (3+tan2x)3−(1+3tanx)+C (B) 3(1+tanx)3−(1+3tanx)+C (C) 3(1+3tanx)2−(1+tanx)+C (D) (1+3tanx)31+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Recognising the denominator as (sinx+cosx)4 and substituting u=tanx reduces this to a rational integral, giving −3(1+tanx)31+3tanx+C.
Concept and Intuition
The key algebraic identity here is (sinx+cosx)2=sinx+cosx+2sinxcosx=sinx+cosx+2sin2x (since 2sinxcosx=4sinxcosx=2sin2x). That matches the given denominator's base exactly, turning a scary-looking radical expression into a clean fourth power.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Verify (sinx+cosx)2=sinx+cosx+2sinxcosx=sinx+cosx+2sin2x, matching sinx+cosx+2sin2x.
- So the denominator is (sinx+cosx)4.
- Factor out cosx: sinx+cosx=cosx(tanx+1), so the denominator =cos2x(1+tanx)4.
- Integral becomes ∫(1+tanx)4sec2xdx. Let t=tanx, dt=sec2xdx: ∫(1+t)4dt.
- Let u=t, t=u2, dt=2udu: ∫(1+u)42udu.
- Write 2u=2(1+u)−2: ∫[(1+u)32−(1+u)42]du=−(1+u)21+3(1+u)32+C. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.∫cos6x+sin6xsin2xcos2xdx= (A) 21Tan−1(tan2x)+c (B) 31Tan−1(tan2x)+c (C) 31Tan−1(tan3x)+c (D) Tan−1(tan3x)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Dividing through by cos6x to introduce tanx, then a double substitution (t=tanx, then u=t3), reduces the integral to a standard arctangent form, giving 31Tan−1(tan3x)+c.
Concept and Intuition
When an integrand has sin and cos appearing only in even powers that can be grouped, dividing everything by the highest power of cosx converts the whole expression into a rational function purely of tanx — a very common trick that opens the door to the substitution t=tanx. Here, since the denominator naturally forms 1+tan6x, a further substitution u=t3 turns it into the standard ∫1+u2du arctangent integral.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Divide numerator and denominator of cos6x+sin6xsin2xcos2x by cos6x: numerator becomes cos6xsin2xcos2x=cos4xsin2x=tan2xsec2x; denominator becomes 1+tan6x.
- The integral is now ∫1+tan6xtan2xsec2xdx.
- Substitute t=tanx, so dt=sec2xdx. The integral becomes ∫1+t6t2dt.
- Substitute u=t3, so du=3t2dt, i.e. t2dt=3du. The integral becomes 31∫1+u2du. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.∫(tan7x+tanx)dx= (A) 12tan2x(2tan4x−3tan2x+6)+c (B) 6tan2x−4tan5x+2tan4x+c (C) 6tan2x(tan4x+3tan2x+4)+c (D) 12tanx(tan4x−3tan2x+6)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Factoring tan7x+tanx using the sum-of-like-terms identity t7+t=t(t6+1)=t(t2+1)(t4−t2+1) exposes the sec2x needed for a clean t=tanx substitution. Answer: 12tan2x(2tan4x−3tan2x+6)+c.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever an integrand is built purely from powers of tanx together with an explicit or hidden sec2x, substituting t=tanx turns it into a polynomial integral — the key is recognizing that t6+1=(t2+1)(t4−t2+1) supplies exactly the sec2x=1+tan2x factor needed.
Step-by-Step Solution
- tan7x+tanx=tanx(tan6x+1)=tanx(tan2x+1)(tan4x−tan2x+1)=tanxsec2x(tan4x−tan2x+1).
- Let t=tanx, dt=sec2xdx. Integral becomes ∫t(t4−t2+1)dt=∫(t5−t3+t)dt.
- =6t6−4t4+2t2+c=6tan6x−4tan4x+2tan2x+c. …
- 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 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 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 2023Set eng-2023-05-19-FN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=(1+nxn)1/nx for n≥2, then ∫xn−2f(x)dx= (A) n(n−1)1(1+nxn)1−n1+C (B) n−11(1+nxn)1−n1+C (C) n(n−1)1(1+nxn)1+n1+C (D) n+11(1+nxn)1+n1+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
A direct substitution u=1+nxn turns the integral into a simple power rule.
Concept and Intuition
The integrand's power of x (namely xn−1) is exactly proportional to the derivative of u=1+nxn, which is the classic signal to substitute.
Step-by-Step Solution
- xn−2f(x)=xn−2⋅(1+nxn)1/nx=(1+nxn)1/nxn−1.
- Let u=1+nxn. Then du=n⋅nxn−1dx=n2xn−1dx, so xn−1dx=n2du.
- Integral becomes ∫u−1/n⋅n2du=n21⋅1−1/nu1−1/n+C.
- Simplify: n21⋅nn−11=n21⋅n−1n=n(n−1)1. …
- 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-2024-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.∫(logx)mxndx= (A) ∫tmentdt, t=ex (B) ∫tme(n+1)tdt, t=ex (C) ∫tme(n+1)tdt, x=et (D) ∫tmentdt, x=et
›Reveal solutionSolution
The substitution x=et (equivalently t=logx) converts a (logx)mxn integral into an exponential-times-power integral in t.
Concept and Intuition
When an integrand is built from logx and powers of x, setting x=et makes logx=t directly, and turns xndx into an exponential in t — a very standard substitution for this integral family.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let x=et, so t=logx and dx=etdt.
- Then (logx)m=tm and xn=(et)n=ent.
- Substitute into the integral: ∫(logx)mxndx=∫tm⋅ent⋅etdt=∫tme(n+1)tdt. …
- 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 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.∫10+sin2xcosx−sinxdx= (A) 21log(10+sin2x)+c (B) 31log(10+sin2x)+c (C) 31Tan−1(3sinx+cosx)+c (D) 31Tan−1(10+sin2x)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
The numerator cosx−sinx is exactly d(sinx+cosx), and the denominator rewrites in terms of u=sinx+cosx via sin2x=u2−1. That collapses the integral to a standard ∫du/(a2+u2) arctangent form. Answer: 31Tan−1(3sinx+cosx)+c.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever an integrand contains both sinx−cosx (or cosx−sinx) and sin2x, it is worth trying u=sinx+cosx (or sinx−cosx) as the substitution, because u2=1±sin2x links the two.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=sinx+cosx. Then du=(cosx−sinx)dx — this is exactly the numerator times dx.
- Also u2=sin2x+cos2x+2sinxcosx=1+sin2x, so sin2x=u2−1.
- Denominator: 10+sin2x=10+u2−1=9+u2.
- The integral becomes ∫9+u2du=31Tan−1(3u)+c. …
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