Q.Integrate the following function: sin4xsin8x
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Product To Sum Identity
Why turn a product into a sum?
Products of trig functions are messy — they don't integrate nicely and are hard to simplify. Sums are clean: you can separate and integrate them term-by-term. The Product-to-Sum identities convert a product of sines and cosines into a sum (or difference), turning something like sin3xcos5x into 21[sin8x+sin(−2x)].
The core idea in one sentence
Any product of two sines and/or cosines can be rewritten as half the sum (or difference) of two sine/cosine functions whose arguments are the sum and difference of the original angles.
The four identities
For any two angles A and B:
sinAcosBcosAsinBcosAcosBsinAsinB=21[sin(A+B)+sin(A−B)]=21[sin(A+B)−sin(A−B)]=21[cos(A+B)+cos(A−B)]=21[cos(A−B)−cos(A+B)]
The pattern:
- Same functions (coscos or sinsin) → result uses cosines.
- Different functions (sincos or cossin) → result uses sines.
- The sinsin case has a minus before cos(A+B) — the one that trips people up.
Where they come from (the derivation)
They follow directly from the sum and difference formulas:
sin(A+B)sin(A−B)cos(A+B)cos(A−B)=sinAcosB+cosAsinB=sinAcosB−cosAsinB=cosAcosB−sinAsinB=cosAcosB+sinAsinB
Add the first two: sin(A+B)+sin(A−B)=2sinAcosB. Divide by 2 → the first identity. Subtract them → the second. Add/subtract the cosine formulas → the other two.
If you forget an identity, derive it in 10 seconds from the sum/difference formulas.
Worked examples
Simplify sin5xcos2x. With A=5x, B=2x (first identity):
sin5xcos2x=21[sin7x+sin3x]
Simplify sin4xsinx. With A=4x, B=x (fourth identity):
sin4xsinx=21[cos3x−cos5x]
The sinsin identity has a minus between the two cosines, with cos(A−B) first. Writing 21[cos(A+B)−cos(A−B)] is wrong.
--- …
The key idea is to use the Product-to-Sum identity to rewrite the product of sines as a sum of cosines, which is straightforward to integrate.
Step 1: Recall the identity:
sinAsinB=21[cos(A−B)−cos(A+B)]
Step 2: Apply it with A=4x and B=8x:
sin4xsin8x=21[cos(4x−8x)−cos(4x+8x)]=21[cos(−4x)−cos(12x)]
Step 3: Since cos(−4x)=cos4x, the expression simplifies to:
sin4xsin8x=21(cos4x−cos12x) …
The integral of sin4xsin8x is solved by converting the product into a sum using the cosine difference identity, then integrating term by term. The final result is 81sin4x−241sin12x+C.
When you see a product of two sine functions (or sine and cosine), the direct approach — trying to guess a reverse chain rule — fails because the angles are different. The trick is to rewrite the product as a sum or difference of cosines. This is one of the Product-to-Sum identities, and it exists precisely to turn multiplication (hard to integrate) into addition (easy to integrate).
The identity we need is:
sinAsinB=21[cos(A−B)−cos(A+B)]
Why does this work? Because the derivative of sin is cos, and the derivative of cos is −sin — so integrating a cosine is straightforward. By converting the product into a combination of cosines, each term becomes a basic integral.
Let’s apply it step by step.
- Identify A and B. Here, A=4x and B=8x. Plug into the identity:
sin4xsin8x=21[cos(4x−8x)−cos(4x+8x)]
- Simplify the angles inside the cosines. 4x−8x=−4x, and cos(−4x)=cos4x because cosine is an even function. 4x+8x=12x. So:
sin4xsin8x=21[cos4x−cos12x]
- Set up the integral.
∫sin4xsin8xdx=21∫(cos4x−cos12x)dx
-
Integrate each cosine term separately.
Recall: ∫cos(kx)dx=k1sin(kx)+C.
So:
- ∫cos4xdx=41sin4x
- ∫cos12xdx=121sin12x
Therefore: …
Method: Product-to-sum for sin(ax)sin(bx)
Convert a product of two sines into a difference of cosines, then integrate term by term.
Steps
Step 1: Apply the sine-sine identity.
sinAsinB=21[cos(A−B)−cos(A+B)]
Match A and B to the two angles.
Step 2: Simplify negative angles.
Cosine is even, so cos(A−B)=cos(B−A) — a negative angle inside the cosine can be flipped without a sign change.
Step 3: Integrate each cosine. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Dropping the 21 factor from the product-to-sum identity.
Why it's wrong: sin4xsin8x=21[cos4x−cos12x]; omitting the 21 doubles every term of the answer. Correct approach: carry the 21 through, giving 81sin4x−241sin12x+C.
Mistake 2: Writing the identity with a plus instead of a minus between the cosines. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 40 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-AN1 markMCQQ.(1+cos8π)(1+cos83π)(1+cos85π)(1+cos87π)= (A) 21 (B) 23 (C) 81 (D) 21+2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Tests the trick of pairing supplementary-angle cosine terms to turn (1+cosθ)(1−cosθ) into sin2θ. Answer: 81.
Concept and Intuition
The four angles 8π,83π,85π,87π are symmetric about 2π: the last two are supplements of the first two (85π=π−83π, 87π=π−8π). Since cos(π−θ)=−cosθ, the four factors regroup into two conjugate pairs (1+cosθ)(1−cosθ), which collapse via the difference-of-squares identity to sin2θ.
Step-by-Step Solution
- cos85π=cos(π−83π)=−cos83π, and cos87π=cos(π−8π)=−cos8π.
- The product becomes (1+cos8π)(1−cos8π)(1+cos83π)(1−cos83π)=(1−cos28π)(1−cos283π)=sin28πsin283π. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.The sum of all the values of θ∈(0,2π) satisfying the equation sinθ+3cos2θ+sin3θ=cosθ+3sin2θ+cos3θ is (A) 85π (B) 813π (C) 832π (D) 828π
›Reveal solutionSolution
Regroup the six-term trig equation into a product of two factors; one factor never vanishes, leaving a simple tan2θ=1 condition.
Concept and Intuition
Six scattered trig terms are a strong hint to pair them so sum-to-product identities apply. Pairing sinθ with sin3θ (average angle 2θ) and cosθ with cos3θ (also average 2θ) turns four terms into two terms sharing the common factor cosθ, which then factors neatly against the remaining cos2θ,sin2θ pair.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Rearrange the equation: (sinθ+sin3θ)−(cosθ+cos3θ)+3(cos2θ−sin2θ)=0.
- Sum-to-product: sinθ+sin3θ=2sin2θcosθ, and cosθ+cos3θ=2cos2θcosθ.
- Substitute: 2sin2θcosθ−2cos2θcosθ+3cos2θ−3sin2θ=0.
- Group: 2cosθ(sin2θ−cos2θ)−3(sin2θ−cos2θ)=0.
- Factor: (sin2θ−cos2θ)(2cosθ−3)=0.
- 2cosθ−3=0⇒cosθ=3/2 — impossible, discard. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.If x=(2n+1)4π, then the general solution of cosx+cos3x=sinx+sin3x is (A) nπ+8π (B) nπ±8π (C) 2nπ±8π (D) 2nπ+8π
›Reveal solutionSolution
Convert both sides to a product form using sum-to-product identities, factor out cosx, and solve tan2x=1 for the general solution — the given domain restriction is exactly what makes this branch well-defined. Answer: x=2nπ+8π.
Concept and Intuition
Sum-to-product identities turn a sum of cosines/sines into a product, which is powerful for solving trig equations because a product equal to zero splits into simpler independent equations. Here both sums share the common factor cosx, and the interesting equation reduces to a basic tan2x=1.
Step-by-Step Solution
- cosx+cos3x=2cos(2x+3x)cos(23x−x)=2cos2xcosx.
- sinx+sin3x=2sin(2x+3x)cos(23x−x)=2sin2xcosx.
- The equation cosx+cos3x=sinx+sin3x becomes 2cos2xcosx=2sin2xcosx, i.e. 2cosx(cos2x−sin2x)=0.
- The condition x=(2n+1)π/4 is precisely the condition cos2x=0, which is exactly what's needed to safely write tan2x=cos2xsin2x from cos2x=sin2x — signalling that the intended branch to solve is cos2x−sin2x=0. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-24-AN1 markMCQQ.sin16πsin163πsin165πsin167π= (A) 162 (B) 81 (C) 161 (D) 322
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using complementary-angle pairing and the double-angle identity, the product collapses to 162.
Concept and Intuition
When angles inside a product of sines add up to π/2, pairing them as sine and cosine of the same angle lets us use sinθcosθ=21sin2θ repeatedly to collapse the whole product.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Note 16π+167π=2π so sin167π=cos16π.
- Note 163π+165π=2π so sin165π=cos163π.
- The product becomes (sin16πcos16π)(sin163πcos163π).
- =21sin8π⋅21sin83π=41sin8πsin83π. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-FN1 markMCQQ.If P+Q+R=4π, then cos(8π−P)+cos(8π−Q)+cos(8π−R)= (A) 4cos2Pcos2Qcos2R−cos8π (B) 4cos2Pcos2Qsin2R+cos8π (C) 4sin2Psin2Qsin2R−cos8π (D) 4sin2Pcos2Qsin2R+cos8π
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests the sum-to-product technique for three angles constrained by P+Q+R=π/4; the answer is 4cos2Pcos2Qcos2R−cos8π.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever three angles are linked by a linear constraint like P+Q+R= constant, the standard move is to combine two of the cosine terms via sum-to-product so that the constraint eliminates one variable, then use product-to-sum again to fold the remaining pieces into a symmetric product. This mirrors the classical identity for a triangle (A+B+C=π⇒cosA+cosB+cosC=1+4sin2Asin2Bsin2C), just with a different target constant (π/4 instead of π).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Combine the first two terms using cosC+cosD=2cos2C+Dcos2C−D with C=8π−P, D=8π−Q:
cos(8π−P)+cos(8π−Q)=2cos(8π−2P+Q)cos(2Q−P).
- Since P+Q=4π−R, we get 8π−2P+Q=8π−8π+2R=2R. So the pair sums to 2cos2Rcos(2Q−P).
- Use product-to-sum on cos2Pcos2Q: 2cos2Pcos2Q=cos(2Q−P)+cos(8π−2R) (using 2P+Q=8π−2R again). So cos(2Q−P)=2cos2Pcos2Q−cos(8π−2R).
- Substitute: 2cos2Rcos(2Q−P)=4cos2Pcos2Qcos2R−2cos2Rcos(8π−2R).
- Expand the last product using 2cosAcosB=cos(A−B)+cos(A+B) with A=2R,B=8π−2R: it equals cos(8π−R)+cos8π. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-AN1 markMCQQ.The general solution of the equation sinx−3sin2x+sin3x=cosx−3cos2x+cos3x is (A) nπ+8π,n∈Z (B) 2nπ+8π,n∈Z (C) (−1)n2nπ+8π,n∈Z (D) 2nπ+cos−123,n∈Z
›Reveal solutionSolution
A sum-to-product regrouping turns the equation into (2cosx−3)(sin2x−cos2x)=0; the first factor never vanishes, so the general solution is x=2nπ+8π.
Concept and Intuition
When an equation mixes x, 2x, 3x terms, grouping the outer terms (x and 3x) via sum-to-product often exposes a common factor with the middle term — turning a transcendental-looking equation into a simple factorable one.
Step-by-Step Solution
- sinx+sin3x=2sin2xcosx and cosx+cos3x=2cos2xcosx (sum-to-product, since the mean angle is 2x and half-difference is x).
- LHS of the given equation =2sin2xcosx−3sin2x=sin2x(2cosx−3).
- RHS =2cos2xcosx−3cos2x=cos2x(2cosx−3).
- Equation: sin2x(2cosx−3)=cos2x(2cosx−3), i.e. (2cosx−3)(sin2x−cos2x)=0.
- 2cosx=3 has no real solution (cosine is bounded by 1), so we must have sin2x=cos2x, i.e. tan2x=1. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-FN1 markMCQQ.4cos7πcos5πcos72πcos52πcos74π= (A) −81 (B) 321 (C) −321 (D) 81
›Reveal solutionSolution
Splitting the five-factor product into two known standard identities — one for sevenths, one for fifths of π — gives −81 directly.
Concept and Intuition
Two classical product identities make this tractable: cos7πcos72πcos73π=81 (and since cos74π=−cos73π, a variant with 74π instead of 73π flips sign), and cos36∘cos72∘=41 (using the exact golden-ratio values of cos36∘,cos72∘).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Known identity: cos7πcos72πcos73π=81.
- Since 74π=π−73π, we have cos74π=−cos73π.
- So cos7πcos72πcos74π=−cos7πcos72πcos73π=−81. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-18-AN1 markMCQQ.(1+cos8π)(1+cos82π)(1+cos83π)(1+cos84π)…(1+cos87π)= (A) 161 (B) 641 (C) 163 (D) 643
›Reveal solutionSolution
Convert each factor 1+cosθ into 2cos2(θ/2), then apply the classical cosine-product identity ∏k=1n−1cos2nkπ=2n−1n.
Concept and Intuition
The half-angle identity 1+cosθ=2cos2(θ/2) converts the whole product of seven (1+cos) factors into a product of squared cosines with angles forming an arithmetic-like sequence 16π,162π,…,167π. This matches the well-known identity ∏k=1n−1cos(2nkπ)=2n−1n with 2n=16, i.e. n=8.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Each factor: 1+cos8kπ=2cos2(16kπ) for k=1,…,7.
- Product =27k=1∏7cos2(16kπ).
- Apply the identity k=1∏n−1cos(2nkπ)=2n−1n with n=8: k=1∏7cos(16kπ)=278=12822=642. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-23-FN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=sinx⋅sin2x⋅sin3x and f′′(x)=a(sinbx)+c(sindx)+e(sinkx), then the value of (a+c+e)−(b+d+k) equals ______ (A) 8 (B) −8 (C) 16 (D) 12
›Reveal solutionSolution
Tests reducing a triple-sine product to a sum of single sines via product-to-sum identities, then differentiating twice and reading off coefficients.
Concept and Intuition
Products of sines are hard to differentiate repeatedly in their original form, but converting them into a sum of sines (using sinAsinB=21[cos(A−B)−cos(A+B)] repeatedly) turns the problem into differentiating simple sine terms, each of which just picks up a power of its own frequency (with alternating sign) under repeated differentiation.
Step-by-Step Solution
- First combine sin2xsin3x=21[cos(3x−2x)−cos(3x+2x)]=21[cosx−cos5x].
- So f(x)=sinx⋅21[cosx−cos5x]=21[sinxcosx−sinxcos5x].
- Use sinxcosx=21sin2x and sinxcos5x=21[sin(x+5x)+sin(x−5x)]=21[sin6x−sin4x].
- So f(x)=21[21sin2x−21(sin6x−sin4x)]=41[sin2x+sin4x−sin6x].
- Differentiate once: f′(x)=41[2cos2x+4cos4x−6cos6x]=21cos2x+cos4x−23cos6x.
- Differentiate again: f′′(x)=21(−2sin2x)+(−4sin4x)−23(−6sin6x)=−sin2x−4sin4x+9sin6x. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.sin98πsin97πsin32πsin95π= (A) 43 (B) 83 (C) 163 (D) 323
›Reveal solutionSolution
Reduce each angle to its acute supplement, then apply the classic identity sin20∘sin40∘sin80∘=3/8 to get 163.
Concept and Intuition
Angles like 98π (=160°) and 97π (=140°) are obtuse, but sin(π−θ)=sinθ folds them down to acute angles that fit the well-known product identity sinθsin(60∘−θ)sin(60∘+θ)=41sin3θ (with θ=20∘).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Convert each obtuse angle using sin(π−θ)=sinθ: sin98π=sin(π−98π)=sin9π (20°); sin97π=sin92π (40°); sin95π=sin94π (80°). sin32π=23 (120°, and sin120∘=sin60∘).
- So the product becomes sin20∘⋅sin40∘⋅23⋅sin80∘=23(sin20∘sin40∘sin80∘). …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-17-FN1 markMCQQ.cos12∘⋅cos24∘⋅cos36∘⋅cos48∘⋅cos72∘⋅cos84∘= (A) 321 (B) 161 (C) 641 (D) 1281
›Reveal solutionSolution
Splitting the six-factor product into cos36°cos72°=1/4 and a doubling-angle chain cos12°cos24°cos48°cos84°=1/16 gives the overall product 1/64.
Concept and Intuition
Products of cosines at angles related by repeated doubling (θ,2θ,4θ,…) telescope via cosθcos2θ⋯cos2n−1θ=2nsinθsin2nθ. Also, cos36°cos72°=1/4 is a well-known special value from the golden-ratio pentagon identities.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Split off cos36°cos72°: this is the classical identity cos36°cos72°=41.
- Remaining factors: cos12°cos24°cos48°cos84°.
- Group cos12°cos24°cos48° — these are θ,2θ,4θ with θ=12°, so by the doubling identity cos12°cos24°cos48°=8sin12°sin96°.
- Multiply by cos84°: note cos84°=sin6° and sin96°=sin(90°+6°)=cos6°. So the product becomes 8sin12°cos6°sin6°.
- cos6°sin6°=21sin12°, so this simplifies to 8sin12°21sin12°=161. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.cos6∘sin24∘cos72∘= (A) −81 (B) −41 (C) 81 (D) 41
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a product of three trig values at special angles that evaluates to a clean constant, 1/8.
Concept and Intuition
cos72°=sin18° and this product of three cosine/sine values at angles related by factors tied to 18°/36° is a disguised instance of the well-known identity cosθcos(60°−θ)cos(60°+θ)=41cos3θ-family of results; here it is most reliably confirmed by direct exact evaluation.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Rewrite sin24°=cos66°, so the product is cos6°cos66°cos72°.
- Use cosAcosB=21[cos(A−B)+cos(A+B)] on cos6°cos66°: =21[cos60°+cos72°]=21[21+cos72°].
- So the full product is 21[21+cos72°]cos72°=41cos72°+21cos272°.
- Using the exact value cos72°=45−1: cos272°=16(5−1)2=166−25=83−5. …
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