Q.Integrate the following function: $\sin x \sin (\cos x)$

Showing the 12 most recent of 51 on this concept.

1. AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-25-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.$\int \cos\sqrt{x}\, dx =$ (A) $2\sqrt{x}\sin\sqrt{x} + 2\cos\sqrt{x} + c$ (B) $2\sqrt{x}\sin\sqrt{x} + 2\sin\sqrt{x} + c$ (C) $2\sqrt{x}\sin\sqrt{x} - 2\cos\sqrt{x} + c$ (D) $\sqrt{x}\cos\sqrt{x} - 2\sin\sqrt{x} + c$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Substitute $t=\sqrt x$ to turn the integral into a standard integration-by-parts problem. Answer: $2\sqrt x\sin\sqrt x+2\cos\sqrt x+c$.

   Concept and Intuition

   Whenever you see $\sqrt x$ trapped inside a trig or exponential function, substituting $t=\sqrt x$ converts it into a polynomial-times-trig integral solvable by parts.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Let $t=\sqrt x \Rightarrow x=t^2,\ dx=2t\,dt$.
   2. $\int\cos\sqrt x\,dx = \int\cos t\cdot 2t\,dt = 2\int t\cos t\,dt$.
   3. Integrate by parts: $\int t\cos t\,dt = t\sin t - \int\sin t\,dt = t\sin t+\cos t$. …

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2. AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-10-05-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.$\displaystyle\int \dfrac{\sin x}{\sin 3x}\, dx =$ (A) $\dfrac{1}{2\sqrt{3}} \log\left|\dfrac{\sqrt{3} + \tan x}{\sqrt{3} - \tan x}\right| + c$ (B) $\dfrac{1}{2\sqrt{3}} \log\left|\dfrac{\sqrt{3} - \tan x}{\sqrt{3} + \tan x}\right| + c$ (C) $\dfrac{1}{4\sqrt{3}} \log\left|\dfrac{\sqrt{3} + \tan x}{\sqrt{3} - \tan x}\right| + c$ (D) $\dfrac{1}{4\sqrt{3}} \log\left|\dfrac{\sqrt{3} - \tan x}{\sqrt{3} + \tan x}\right| + c$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Use the triple-angle identity to cancel $\sin x$, rewrite in terms of $\cos2x$, then apply the Weierstrass-type substitution $t=\tan x$ to reduce to a standard rational integral. The answer is (A).

   Concept and Intuition

   $\sin3x$ factors as $\sin x(3-4\sin^2x)$, so $\sin x$ cancels immediately with the numerator, turning a trigonometric-looking integral into a much simpler one in $\sin^2x$ (hence in $\cos2x$), which is a textbook target for the $t=\tan x$ substitution.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. $\sin3x = 3\sin x - 4\sin^3x = \sin x(3-4\sin^2x)$.
   2. $\dfrac{\sin x}{\sin3x} = \dfrac{1}{3-4\sin^2x}$.
   3. Using $\sin^2x=\dfrac{1-\cos2x}2$: $4\sin^2x = 2-2\cos2x$, so $3-4\sin^2x = 1+2\cos2x$.
   4. Integral becomes $\displaystyle\int\dfrac{dx}{1+2\cos2x}$.
   5. Substitute $t=\tan x$, $dx=\dfrac{dt}{1+t^2}$, $\cos2x=\dfrac{1-t^2}{1+t^2}$: $1+2\cos2x = \dfrac{(1+t^2)+2(1-t^2)}{1+t^2} = \dfrac{3-t^2}{1+t^2}$.
   6. Integral $= \displaystyle\int \dfrac{1+t^2}{3-t^2}\cdot\dfrac{dt}{1+t^2} = \int\dfrac{dt}{3-t^2}$. …

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3. AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.$\displaystyle\int \dfrac{\cos x - \sin x}{10 + \sin 2x}\, dx =$ (A) $\dfrac{1}{2}\log(10 + \sin 2x) + c$ (B) $\dfrac{1}{3}\log(10 + \sin 2x) + c$ (C) $\dfrac{1}{3}\, \mathrm{Tan}^{-1}\left(\dfrac{\sin x + \cos x}{3}\right) + c$ (D) $\dfrac{1}{3}\, \mathrm{Tan}^{-1}(10 + \sin 2x) + c$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   The numerator $\cos x-\sin x$ is exactly $d(\sin x+\cos x)$, and the denominator rewrites in terms of $u=\sin x+\cos x$ via $\sin2x=u^2-1$. That collapses the integral to a standard $\int du/(a^2+u^2)$ arctangent form. Answer: $\dfrac13\mathrm{Tan}^{-1}\!\left(\dfrac{\sin x+\cos x}{3}\right)+c$.

   Concept and Intuition

   Whenever an integrand contains both $\sin x-\cos x$ (or $\cos x-\sin x$) and $\sin2x$, it is worth trying $u=\sin x+\cos x$ (or $\sin x-\cos x$) as the substitution, because $u^2=1\pm\sin2x$ links the two.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Let $u=\sin x+\cos x$. Then $du=(\cos x-\sin x)\,dx$ — this is exactly the numerator times $dx$.
   2. Also $u^2=\sin^2x+\cos^2x+2\sin x\cos x=1+\sin2x$, so $\sin2x=u^2-1$.
   3. Denominator: $10+\sin2x=10+u^2-1=9+u^2$.
   4. The integral becomes $\displaystyle\int\frac{du}{9+u^2}=\frac13\mathrm{Tan}^{-1}\!\left(\frac u3\right)+c$. …

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4. AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.$\displaystyle\int \dfrac{\cos^3 x}{(1 + \sin x)^4}\, dx =$ (A) $-\dfrac{\cos^4 x}{5(1 + \sin x)^5} + c$ (B) $\dfrac{\cos^4 x}{5(1 + \sin x)^5} + c$ (C) $\dfrac{\cos^4 x}{4(1 + \sin x)^4} + c$ (D) $-\dfrac{\cos^4 x}{4(1 + \sin x)^4} + c$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Factor $\cos^3x$ using $\cos^2x=(1-\sin x)(1+\sin x)$ and substitute $t=\sin x$; the resulting antiderivative can equivalently be written in the $\cos^4x/(1+\sin x)^4$ form given in the options (they differ only by an added constant). Answer: $-\dfrac{\cos^4x}{4(1+\sin x)^4}+c$.

   Concept and Intuition

   Integrals of $\cos^{\text{odd}}x$ over powers of $(1+\sin x)$ are handled by peeling off one factor of $\cos x$ to pair with $dx$ (making $d(\sin x)$) and expressing the remaining even power of $\cos x$ in terms of $\sin x$. Since the MCQ options are phrased in terms of $\cos^4x$ rather than $\sin x$ directly, it is often faster (and safer against sign traps) to guess-and-check an antiderivative of that shape by differentiating a general form $A\cos^4x(1+\sin x)^{-n}$ and matching powers/coefficients — this is exactly how the printed option is confirmed.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. $\cos^3x=\cos x\cdot\cos^2x=\cos x(1-\sin^2x)=\cos x(1-\sin x)(1+\sin x)$.
   2. Integrand $=\dfrac{\cos x(1-\sin x)(1+\sin x)}{(1+\sin x)^4}=\dfrac{\cos x(1-\sin x)}{(1+\sin x)^3}$.
   3. Let $t=\sin x$, $dt=\cos x\,dx$: $I=\displaystyle\int\frac{1-t}{(1+t)^3}dt$. Writing $1-t=2-(1+t)$: $I=\displaystyle\int\left(\frac{2}{(1+t)^3}-\frac{1}{(1+t)^2}\right)dt=-\frac{1}{(1+t)^2}+\frac{1}{1+t}+c=\frac{t}{(1+t)^2}+c$.
   4. So $I=\dfrac{\sin x}{(1+\sin x)^2}+c$ is one valid closed form. …

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5. AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQ
   Q.$\displaystyle\int \dfrac{\sin^2 x \cos^2 x}{\cos^6 x + \sin^6 x}\,dx =$ (A) $\dfrac{1}{2}\mathrm{Tan}^{-1}(\tan^2 x) + c$ (B) $\dfrac{1}{3}\mathrm{Tan}^{-1}(\tan^2 x) + c$ (C) $\dfrac{1}{3}\mathrm{Tan}^{-1}(\tan^3 x) + c$ (D) $\mathrm{Tan}^{-1}(\tan^3 x) + c$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Dividing through by $\cos^6x$ to introduce $\tan x$, then a double substitution ($t=\tan x$, then $u=t^3$), reduces the integral to a standard arctangent form, giving $\dfrac13\mathrm{Tan}^{-1}(\tan^3x)+c$.

   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 $\cos x$ converts the whole expression into a rational function purely of $\tan x$ — a very common trick that opens the door to the substitution $t=\tan x$. Here, since the denominator naturally forms $1+\tan^6x$, a further substitution $u=t^3$ turns it into the standard $\int\frac{du}{1+u^2}$ arctangent integral.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Divide numerator and denominator of $\dfrac{\sin^2x\cos^2x}{\cos^6x+\sin^6x}$ by $\cos^6x$: numerator becomes $\dfrac{\sin^2x\cos^2x}{\cos^6x} = \dfrac{\sin^2x}{\cos^4x} = \tan^2x\sec^2x$; denominator becomes $1 + \tan^6x$.
   2. The integral is now $\displaystyle\int \dfrac{\tan^2x\sec^2x}{1+\tan^6x}\,dx$.
   3. Substitute $t=\tan x$, so $dt = \sec^2x\,dx$. The integral becomes $\displaystyle\int\dfrac{t^2}{1+t^6}\,dt$.
   4. Substitute $u = t^3$, so $du = 3t^2\,dt$, i.e. $t^2\,dt = \dfrac{du}{3}$. The integral becomes $\dfrac13\displaystyle\int\dfrac{du}{1+u^2}$. …

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6. AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $\displaystyle\int \dfrac{\cos^3 x}{\sin^2 x + \sin^4 x}dx = c - \mathrm{cosec}\,x - f(x)$, then $f\left(\dfrac{\pi}{2}\right)=$ (A) 1 (B) 0 (C) $\dfrac{\pi}{2}$ (D) $\pi$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Substituting $s=\sin x$ and partial-fractioning gives $-\mathrm{cosec}\,x-2\mathrm{Tan}^{-1}(\sin x)$, so $f(x)=2\mathrm{Tan}^{-1}(\sin x)$ and $f(\pi/2)=\pi/2$.

   Concept and Intuition

   Writing $\cos^3x\,dx = \cos^2x\cdot\cos x\,dx=(1-\sin^2x)\,d(\sin x)$ converts a trig integral into an algebraic one in $s=\sin x$, which is then handled by ordinary partial fractions.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Let $s=\sin x$, so $ds=\cos x\,dx$, and $\cos^3x\,dx=(1-s^2)\,ds$.
   2. The integral becomes $\displaystyle\int\frac{1-s^2}{s^2+s^4}\,ds=\int\frac{1-s^2}{s^2(1+s^2)}\,ds$.
   3. Partial fractions (in $u=s^2$): $\dfrac{1-u}{u(1+u)}=\dfrac1u-\dfrac2{1+u}$, so the integrand is $\dfrac1{s^2}-\dfrac2{1+s^2}$.
   4. Integrating: $\displaystyle\int\left(\frac1{s^2}-\frac2{1+s^2}\right)ds=-\frac1s-2\,\mathrm{Tan}^{-1}s+C=-\mathrm{cosec}\,x-2\,\mathrm{Tan}^{-1}(\sin x)+C$. …

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7. AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.If $\displaystyle\int e^{\sin^3 x}(\sin^8 x + 2\sin^5 x)\cos x\, dx = \dfrac{1}{3} e^{\sin^3 x} f(x) + c$, then $f(x) =$ (A) $\sin^8 x$ (B) $\sin^6 x$ (C) $\cos^8 x$ (D) $\cos^6 x$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Substituting $t=\sin x$ and testing $f(t)=t^6$ against the target derivative confirms $f(x)=\sin^6x$.

   Concept and Intuition

   When an integral has the form $e^{g(x)}\cdot(\text{stuff})\cdot g'(x)$, substituting $u=g(x)$ turns it into $\int e^u\cdot h(u)\,du$ for a polynomial $h$. Matching the answer's assumed shape $\tfrac13e^{u}f$ and differentiating (product rule, since both $e^u$ and $f$ depend on $u$) lets us solve for $f$ by comparing polynomial coefficients — much safer than guessing an antiderivative by inspection alone.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. Let $t=\sin x$, so $dt=\cos x\,dx$. The integral becomes $\displaystyle\int e^{t^3}(t^8+2t^5)\,dt$.
   2. We're told this equals $\dfrac13 e^{t^3}f(t)+c$. Differentiate the RHS w.r.t. $t$: $\dfrac{d}{dt}\left[\dfrac13e^{t^3}f(t)\right] = \dfrac13\left[3t^2e^{t^3}f(t) + e^{t^3}f'(t)\right] = e^{t^3}\left[t^2f(t)+\dfrac13f'(t)\right]$.
   3. This must equal $e^{t^3}(t^8+2t^5)$, so $t^2f(t) + \dfrac13f'(t) = t^8+2t^5$. …

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8. AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-20-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.$\displaystyle\int \dfrac{dx}{\sqrt{\sin^3 x \cos(x-\alpha)}} =$ (A) $\dfrac{1}{\cos\alpha}\sqrt{\cot x+\tan\alpha}+c$ (B) $\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{\cos\alpha}}\sqrt{\cot x-\tan\alpha}+c$ (C) $\dfrac{-1}{\sqrt{\sin\alpha}}\sqrt{\cot x+\tan\alpha}+c$ (D) $\dfrac{-2}{\sqrt{\cos\alpha}}\sqrt{\cot x+\tan\alpha}+c$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   Expanding $\cos(x-\alpha)$ and substituting $u=\cot x$ reduces this to a simple square-root integral; final answer is (D).

   Concept and Intuition

   The key move is expanding $\cos(x-\alpha)$ and factoring out $\sin^4x$ from inside the square root so that a substitution $u=\cot x$ (whose differential is $-\csc^2x\,dx$, conveniently matching what's left outside) linearizes the whole thing.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. $\cos(x-\alpha)=\cos x\cos\alpha+\sin x\sin\alpha$.
   2. $\sin^3x\cos(x-\alpha)=\sin^3x\cos x\cos\alpha+\sin^4x\sin\alpha = \sin^4x\left(\dfrac{\cos x}{\sin x}\cos\alpha+\sin\alpha\right)=\sin^4x(\cot x\cos\alpha+\sin\alpha)$.
   3. So $\sqrt{\sin^3x\cos(x-\alpha)}=\sin^2x\sqrt{\cot x\cos\alpha+\sin\alpha}$ (taking $\sin^2x>0$ outside the root).
   4. The integral is $\displaystyle\int\dfrac{dx}{\sin^2x\sqrt{\cos\alpha\cot x+\sin\alpha}}=\int\dfrac{\csc^2x\,dx}{\sqrt{\cos\alpha\cot x+\sin\alpha}}$.
   5. Let $u=\cot x$, $du=-\csc^2x\,dx$. Integral becomes $-\displaystyle\int\dfrac{du}{\sqrt{\cos\alpha\,u+\sin\alpha}}=-\dfrac{2\sqrt{\cos\alpha\,u+\sin\alpha}}{\cos\alpha}+c$. …

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9. AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-AN1 markMCQ
   Q.$\displaystyle\int \dfrac{\sin^6 x}{\cos^8 x}\,dx =$ (A) $\tan 7x + c$ (B) $\dfrac{\tan^7 x}{7} + c$ (C) $\dfrac{\tan 7x}{7} + c$ (D) $\sec^7 x$

   ›Reveal solutionSolution

   $\int \tan^6x\sec^2x\,dx = \dfrac{\tan^7x}{7}+c$ via $u=\tan x$.

   Concept and Intuition

   $\sin^6x/\cos^8x = \tan^6x\cdot\sec^2x$, and $\sec^2x\,dx$ is exactly $d(\tan x)$ — a direct power-rule substitution.

   Step-by-Step Solution

   1. $\dfrac{\sin^6x}{\cos^8x} = \tan^6x\cdot\dfrac{1}{\cos^2x} = \tan^6x\sec^2x$.
   2. Let $u=\tan x \Rightarrow du=\sec^2x\,dx$.
   3. $\int u^6\,du = \dfrac{u^7}{7}+c = \dfrac{\tan^7x}{7}+c$.

   Common Mistakes …

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10. AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-27-FN1 markMCQ
    Q.$\displaystyle\int \dfrac{dx}{(1 + \sqrt{x})\sqrt{x - x^2}} =$ (A) $-2\sqrt{\dfrac{1 + \sqrt{x}}{1 - \sqrt{x}}} + c$ (B) $-\sqrt{\dfrac{1 - \sqrt{x}}{1 + \sqrt{x}}} + c$ (C) $-2\sqrt{\dfrac{1 - \sqrt{x}}{1 + \sqrt{x}}} + c$ (D) $2\sqrt{\dfrac{1 + \sqrt{x}}{1 - \sqrt{x}}} + c$

    ›Reveal solutionSolution

    Substituting $t=\sqrt x$ turns the surd-heavy integrand into $\int \frac{2\,dt}{(1+t)^{3/2}(1-t)^{1/2}}$, whose antiderivative is exactly $-2\sqrt{\frac{1-t}{1+t}}$.

    Concept and Intuition

    When an integrand mixes $\sqrt x$ and $\sqrt{x-x^2}=\sqrt{x}\sqrt{1-x}$, substituting $t=\sqrt x$ clears every square root of $x$ at once, converting the whole thing into a rational-power integral in $t$ that matches the derivative of $\sqrt{\frac{1-t}{1+t}}$ — a standard "recognise the derivative" pattern worth memorising for CET-style problems.

    Step-by-Step Solution

    1. Write $\sqrt{x-x^2}=\sqrt{x(1-x)}=\sqrt x\sqrt{1-x}$, so the integral is

    $I=\int\frac{dx}{(1+\sqrt x)\sqrt x\sqrt{1-x}}.$

    2. Let $t=\sqrt x$, so $x=t^2$, $dx=2t\,dt$:

    $I=\int\frac{2t\,dt}{(1+t)\cdot t\cdot\sqrt{1-t^2}}=\int\frac{2\,dt}{(1+t)\sqrt{(1-t)(1+t)}}=\int\frac{2\,dt}{(1+t)^{3/2}(1-t)^{1/2}}.$

    3. Let $y=\sqrt{\dfrac{1-t}{1+t}}$. Differentiating $y^2=\dfrac{1-t}{1+t}$: $2y\,y'=\frac{-(1+t)-(1-t)}{(1+t)^2}=\frac{-2}{(1+t)^2}\ \Rightarrow\ y'=\frac{-1}{y(1+t)^2}=\frac{-1}{(1+t)^{3/2}(1-t)^{1/2}}.$ …

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11. AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-06-FN1 markMCQ
    Q.$\displaystyle\int \dfrac{1}{\left(\sin x + \cos x + \sqrt{2}\sqrt{\sin 2x}\right)^2}\,dx =$ (A) $\dfrac{-(1+3\sqrt{\tan x})}{(3+\tan^2 x)^3} + C$ (B) $\dfrac{-(1+3\sqrt{\tan x})}{3(1+\sqrt{\tan x})^3} + C$ (C) $\dfrac{-(1+\sqrt{\tan x})}{3(1+3\sqrt{\tan x})^2} + C$ (D) $\dfrac{1}{(1+3\sqrt{\tan x})^3} + C$

    ›Reveal solutionSolution

    Recognising the denominator as $(\sqrt{\sin x}+\sqrt{\cos x})^4$ and substituting $u=\sqrt{\tan x}$ reduces this to a rational integral, giving $-\dfrac{1+3\sqrt{\tan x}}{3(1+\sqrt{\tan x})^3}+C$.

    Concept and Intuition

    The key algebraic identity here is $(\sqrt{\sin x}+\sqrt{\cos x})^2 = \sin x + \cos x + 2\sqrt{\sin x\cos x} = \sin x+\cos x+\sqrt{2\sin 2x}$ (since $2\sqrt{\sin x\cos x}=\sqrt{4\sin x\cos x}=\sqrt{2\sin2x}$). That matches the given denominator's base exactly, turning a scary-looking radical expression into a clean fourth power.

    Step-by-Step Solution

    1. Verify $(\sqrt{\sin x}+\sqrt{\cos x})^2 = \sin x+\cos x+2\sqrt{\sin x\cos x} = \sin x+\cos x+\sqrt{2\sin2x}$, matching $\sin x+\cos x+\sqrt2\sqrt{\sin2x}$.
    2. So the denominator is $(\sqrt{\sin x}+\sqrt{\cos x})^4$.
    3. Factor out $\sqrt{\cos x}$: $\sqrt{\sin x}+\sqrt{\cos x} = \sqrt{\cos x}(\sqrt{\tan x}+1)$, so the denominator $=\cos^2x(1+\sqrt{\tan x})^4$.
    4. Integral becomes $\displaystyle\int \dfrac{\sec^2x\,dx}{(1+\sqrt{\tan x})^4}$. Let $t=\tan x$, $dt=\sec^2x\,dx$: $\displaystyle\int \dfrac{dt}{(1+\sqrt t)^4}$.
    5. Let $u=\sqrt t$, $t=u^2$, $dt=2u\,du$: $\displaystyle\int \dfrac{2u\,du}{(1+u)^4}$.
    6. Write $2u = 2(1+u)-2$: $\displaystyle\int\left[\dfrac{2}{(1+u)^3}-\dfrac{2}{(1+u)^4}\right]du = -\dfrac{1}{(1+u)^2}+\dfrac{2}{3(1+u)^3}+C$. …

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12. AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-FN1 markMCQ
    Q.If $n \ge 2$ is a natural number and $0 < \theta < \dfrac{\pi}{2}$, then $\displaystyle\int \dfrac{(\cos^n\theta - \cos\theta)^{1/n}}{\cos^{n+1}\theta}\sin\theta\, d\theta =$ (A) $\dfrac{n}{n-1}\left(\cos^{(1-n)}\theta - 1\right)^2 + c$ (B) $\dfrac{n}{(n+1)(1-n)}\left(\cos^{(1-n)}\theta - 1\right)^{1+\frac{1}{n}} + c$ (C) $\dfrac{1}{n-1}\left(\cos^{(n-1)}\theta - 1\right)^2 + c$ (D) $\dfrac{n}{1-n^2}\left(1 - \cos^{(1-n)}\theta\right)^{(n+1)/n}$

    ›Reveal solutionSolution

    Factor out $\cos^n\theta$ from inside the radical to isolate a clean power of $\cos\theta$, then substitute $w=\cos^{1-n}\theta$ to reduce the whole integral to $\int w^{1/n}dw$.

    Concept and Intuition

    The key move is factoring $\cos^n\theta-\cos\theta=\cos^n\theta\left(1-\cos^{1-n}\theta\right)$ so the $n$-th root pulls a clean $\cos\theta$ outside, cancelling nicely against the $\cos^{n+1}\theta$ in the denominator and leaving a single power of $w=\cos^{1-n}\theta$ whose differential exactly matches $\sin\theta\,d\theta/\cos^n\theta$ in the integrand.

    Step-by-Step Solution

    1. Factor: $\cos^n\theta-\cos\theta=\cos^n\theta\left(1-\cos^{1-n}\theta\right)$, so

    $(\cos^n\theta-\cos\theta)^{1/n}=\cos\theta\left(1-\cos^{1-n}\theta\right)^{1/n}.$

    2. Divide by $\cos^{n+1}\theta$:

    $\frac{(\cos^n\theta-\cos\theta)^{1/n}}{\cos^{n+1}\theta}=\frac{\left(1-\cos^{1-n}\theta\right)^{1/n}}{\cos^n\theta}.$

    3. Let $w=\cos^{1-n}\theta$. Then $\dfrac{dw}{d\theta}=(1-n)\cos^{-n}\theta\cdot(-\sin\theta)=(n-1)\sin\theta\cos^{-n}\theta$, so $\dfrac{\sin\theta\,d\theta}{\cos^n\theta}=\dfrac{dw}{n-1}$.
    4. The whole integrand times $d\theta$ becomes $(1-w)^{1/n}\cdot\dfrac{dw}{n-1}$ — wait, more directly $w^{1/n}$ is the factor $\left(1-\cos^{1-n}\theta\right)^{1/n}$ once we track $1-\cos^{1-n}\theta$ as the base; carrying the substitution through consistently: …

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