Q.Integrate the following function: sin2xcos2x
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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 — we let u equal the expression inside the square root so that its derivative appears as a factor.
Let u=sin2x. Then du=2cos2xdx, so cos2xdx=2du.
The integral becomes: …
The key idea is to use the substitution u=sin2x, which turns the integral into a simple power rule. The final result is 31(sin2x)3/2+C.
Why U-Substitution Works Here
When you see a function like sin2xcos2x, your first instinct should be to look for a function and its derivative hiding inside. The derivative of sin2x is 2cos2x — and we have cos2x sitting right there, just missing a factor of 2. That’s the classic signal for substitution: the integrand is a product of a composite function and the derivative of its inner part (up to a constant).
The square root sin2x is really (sin2x)1/2, so we’re integrating something of the form (inside)1/2×(derivative of inside). That’s a power rule in disguise.
Step-by-Step Solution
1. Set up the substitution.
Let u=sin2x. Then differentiate:
dxdu=2cos2x⇒du=2cos2xdx.
2. Solve for the piece we have.
Our integrand has cos2xdx, not 2cos2xdx. So divide both sides by 2:
2du=cos2xdx.
3. Rewrite the integral in terms of u.
The original integral is
∫sin2xcos2xdx=∫(sin2x)1/2cos2xdx.
Substituting u and 2du gives:
∫u1/2⋅2du=21∫u1/2du.
Always check: after substitution, there should be no x left — only u and du. If any x remains, the substitution is incomplete.
4. Integrate using the power rule. …
Method: Substitute the inside of the root when its derivative is present
Use this when a root of a trig function multiplies that function's derivative, e.g. sin2xcos2x.
Steps
Step 1: Check the derivative pairing.
dxd(sin2x)=2cos2x, and cos2x is present in the integrand.
Step 2: Substitute u=sin2x. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Forgetting the 21 from du=2cos2xdx.
Why it's wrong: with u=sin2x, cos2xdx=2du; the factor 2 comes from differentiating sin2x. Correct approach: account for the chain-rule factor before integrating.
Mistake 2: Choosing the wrong u.
Why it's wrong: the substitution must be u=sin2x (whose derivative cos2x is present), not u=cos2x. Correct approach: pick u so du appears in the integrand. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 51 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-25-AN1 markMCQQ.∫cosxdx= (A) 2xsinx+2cosx+c (B) 2xsinx+2sinx+c (C) 2xsinx−2cosx+c (D) xcosx−2sinx+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitute t=x to turn the integral into a standard integration-by-parts problem. Answer: 2xsinx+2cosx+c.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever you see x trapped inside a trig or exponential function, substituting t=x converts it into a polynomial-times-trig integral solvable by parts.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let t=x⇒x=t2, dx=2tdt.
- ∫cosxdx=∫cost⋅2tdt=2∫tcostdt.
- Integrate by parts: ∫tcostdt=tsint−∫sintdt=tsint+cost. …
- 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 2022Set eng-2022-07-07-AN1 markMCQQ.∫x+x2+2dx= (A) 23(x+x+2)3/2−2(x+x2+2)1/4+C (B) 31(x+x2+2)3/2−2(x+x2+2)1/4+C (C) (x+x2+2)−3/2−2(x+x2+2)−1/2+C (D) 3x+x2+2(x+x2+2)2−6+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
The substitution t=x+x2+2 rationalises the nested radical; the resulting antiderivative, written as a single fraction, matches option (D). Answer: option (D).
Concept and Intuition
Integrals containing x+x2+a2 are a classic signal to substitute t equal to that whole expression — it converts the awkward nested square root into simple powers of t, because x and x2+a2 can both be written as clean rational/linear functions of t.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let t=x+x2+2. Then x2+2=t−x; squaring, x2+2=t2−2tx+x2⇒2=t2−2tx⇒x=2tt2−2.
- Then x2+2=t−x=t−2tt2−2=2t2t2−t2+2=2tt2+2.
- Differentiate t w.r.t. x: dxdt=1+x2+2x=x2+2x2+2+x=x2+2t=(t2+2)/(2t)t=t2+22t2, so dx=2t2t2+2dt.
- Substitute into the integral: ∫tdx=∫t1/2⋅2t2t2+2dt=21∫(t1/2+2t−3/2)dt.
- Integrate: 21[32t3/2−4t−1/2]+C=31t3/2−2t−1/2+C. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-07-AN1 markMCQQ.∫(1+x)2022dx= (A) (1+x)20212[20201+x−20211]+C (B) (1+x)20222[20201+x−2021x]+C (C) (1+x)2[2022(1+x)2022−2021(1+x)2021]+C (D) (1+x)21[(1+x)10101−(1+x)10111]+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting t=1+x turns the integral into a simple power-rule integral in t; back-substituting and factoring reproduces option (A)'s bracketed form.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever an integrand is a function purely of 1+x, the substitution t=1+x (so x=t−1, x=(t−1)2) turns the messy radical expression into a clean power of t, and the pieces of dx that are left over (2(t−1)dt) combine with the t−2022 factor to give a difference of two pure power terms — each integrable by the ordinary power rule.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let t=1+x. Then x=t−1, x=(t−1)2, and dx=2(t−1)dt.
- The integral becomes ∫t20222(t−1)dt=2∫(t−2021−t−2022)dt.
- Integrate termwise: 2∫t−2021dt=−20202t−2020, and −2∫t−2022dt=−20212⋅(−1)t−2021⋅(−1), combining to 20212t−2021−20202t−2020. …
- 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 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 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 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 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-2024-05-21-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 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. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.If ∫x(1−x3)2−1dx=32g(f(x))+c, then (A) f(x)=x, g(x)=sin−1x (B) f(x)=x3/2, g(x)=sin−1x (C) f(x)=x3/2, g(x)=cos−1x (D) f(x)=x, g(x)=cos−1x
›Reveal solutionSolution
A substitution u=x3/2 turns the integral into the standard ∫du/1−u2 form, giving f(x)=x3/2 and g=sin−1.
Concept and Intuition
The presence of xdx alongside x3=(x3/2)2 inside a square root strongly signals the substitution u=x3/2 (its derivative is proportional to x, exactly what's needed to absorb the leftover xdx). Once substituted, the integral collapses to the standard arcsine form.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=x3/2. Then du=23x1/2dx=23xdx, so xdx=32du.
- Also, u2=x3, so 1−x3=1−u2.
- Substitute into the integral: ∫x(1−x3)−1/2dx=∫32⋅1−u2du=32∫1−u2du.
- This is the standard form: ∫1−u2du=sin−1u+c.
- So the integral =32sin−1(u)+c=32sin−1(x3/2)+c. …
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