Q.Integrate the following function: (x−a)(x−b)1
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Integration By Completing Square
Integration by Completing the Square
You can integrate x2+11 or x2−a21 on sight. But a quadratic denominator such as x2+4x+5 fits neither standard form directly. The fix is to rewrite the quadratic as a perfect square plus (or minus) a constant, turning it into a form you already know.
The move
For x2+bx+c, add and subtract (2b)2:
x2+bx+c=(x+2b)2+(c−4b2).
After substituting u=x+2b the integral collapses to ∫u2+k2du or ∫u2−k2du.
Case A — leads to inverse tangent
∫x2+4x+5dx.
Complete the square: x2+4x+5=(x+2)2+1. With u=x+2,
∫u2+1du=tan−1u+C=tan−1(x+2)+C.
∫u2+a2du=a1tan−1au+C is the workhorse when the constant left over is positive.
Case B — leads to a logarithm
∫x2−6x+5dx.
Here x2−6x+5=(x−3)2−4. With u=x−3 the denominator u2−4 factors, so use partial fractions:
∫u2−4du=41logu+2u−2+C=41logx−1x−5+C. …
The key idea is to rewrite the product under the square root into a difference of squares, then use a trigonometric substitution.
First, complete the square for the quadratic under the root:
(x−a)(x−b)=x2−(a+b)x+ab=(x−2a+b)2−(2a−b)2.
Let u=x−2a+b, so du=dx and the integral becomes:
∫u2−(2a−b)2du.
This is a standard form. Using the substitution u=2a−bsecθ (or directly recalling the formula), we get: …
The key idea is to rewrite the integrand using a substitution that eliminates the square root of a quadratic. By completing the square and substituting t=x−2a+b, the integral reduces to a standard inverse hyperbolic sine form. The final result is log2x−a−b+2(x−a)(x−b)+C.
Let’s start with the concept. You’re asked to integrate (x−a)(x−b)1. At first glance, the product inside the square root looks like a quadratic in x: (x−a)(x−b)=x2−(a+b)x+ab. This is a quadratic expression, and integrals of the form quadratic1 are classic candidates for a substitution that turns them into a standard form like ∫u2±k2du, which integrates to an inverse hyperbolic sine (or a logarithm). The trick is to complete the square to reveal a perfect square plus or minus a constant.
Why does this work? Because the derivative of the expression inside the square root often appears in the numerator after a clever substitution, or we can use a trigonometric/hyperbolic substitution. Here, the most efficient path is to shift the variable to center the quadratic, then use a substitution that simplifies the square root into something like t2−d2.
Let’s work through it step by step.
-
Rewrite the integrand by expanding and completing the square.
(x−a)(x−b)=x2−(a+b)x+ab.
Complete the square:
x2−(a+b)x+ab=(x−2a+b)2−(2a+b)2+ab.
Simplify the constant term:
−(2a+b)2+ab=−4a2+2ab+b2+ab=4−a2−2ab−b2+4ab=4−a2+2ab−b2=−4(a−b)2.
So (x−a)(x−b)=(x−2a+b)2−(2a−b)2.
-
Make a substitution to center the variable.
Let t=x−2a+b. Then dt=dx, and the integral becomes
∫t2−(2a−b)2dt.
Notice the constant d=2∣a−b∣ (we’ll assume a=b; if a=b, the integrand is ∣x−a∣1, which integrates to log∣x−a∣+C). For definiteness, let c=2a−b, so the integral is ∫t2−c2dt.
-
Recognize the standard form.
The integral ∫t2−c2dt is a standard result. You can derive it using a hyperbolic substitution: let t=ccoshu, then dt=csinhudu, and t2−c2=csinhu (for t>c). The integral becomes ∫csinhucsinhudu=∫du=u+C=cosh−1(ct)+C.
Alternatively, the result is often written as logt+t2−c2+C, which is valid for ∣t∣>∣c∣.
∫t2−c2dt=logt+t2−c2+C
-
Substitute back in terms of x.
Recall t=x−2a+b and c=2a−b. Then …
Method: 1/(x−a)(x−b) — complete the square with literal constants
A product of two linear factors under the root is still a quadratic; the same complete-the-square method works even when the roots are letters, not numbers.
Steps
Step 1: Expand the product.
(x−a)(x−b)=x2−(a+b)x+ab.
Step 2: Complete the square. The vertex shift is half the linear coefficient:
(x−a)(x−b)=(x−2a+b)2−(2a−b)2. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Mis-computing the constant term after completing the square.
Why it's wrong: ab−(2a+b)2=−(2a−b)2, not −(2a+b)2. Correct approach: simplify ab−4(a+b)2 fully to −4(a−b)2.
Mistake 2: Choosing the sin−1 form.
Why it's wrong: the completed form is u2−k2 (positive x2), so the answer is a logarithm, not an inverse sine. Correct approach: reserve sin−1 for k2−u2. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 35 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-AN1 markMCQQ.If ∫x2+x+13x2+5x+4dx=Ax2+x+1+46xx2+x+1+Bsinh−132x+1+c, then A+2B= (A) 5 (B) 8 (C) 831 (D) 522
›Reveal solutionSolution
Splitting the numerator into a multiple of (x2+x+1) plus an exact-derivative term, then applying the standard ∫u2+a2du formula, gives A=11/4, B=9/8, so A+2B=5.
Concept and Intuition
For ∫quadraticquadraticdx, the standard technique writes the numerator as (a multiple of the inner quadratic) + (a multiple of its derivative) + (a constant), reducing the problem to two building blocks: ∫x2+bx+c2x+bdx=2x2+bx+c, and ∫x2+bx+cdx via completing the square into the sinh−1 form.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write 3x2+5x+4=3(x2+x+1)+(2x+1) (check: 3x2+3x+3+2x+1=3x2+5x+4 ✓).
- ∫x2+x+12x+1dx=2x2+x+1, since 2x+1 is exactly the derivative of x2+x+1.
- For ∫x2+x+1dx, complete the square: x2+x+1=(x+21)2+43. With u=x+21, a2=43: ∫u2+a2du=2uu2+a2+2a2sinh−1au+C.
- This gives 2x+1/2x2+x+1+3/8sinh−132x+1+C=42x+1x2+x+1+83sinh−132x+1+C.
- Multiply by 3 (from step 1's coefficient): 3∫x2+x+1dx=43(2x+1)x2+x+1+89sinh−132x+1+C. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-FN1 markMCQQ.If ∫x2+4x+α1dx=221Tan−1(22x+2)+c, then ∫x2+4x−α1dx= (A) 41log(x+2x−12)+k (B) 81log(x+6x−2)+k (C) 81log(x+8x+6)+k (D) 41log(x+16x−12)+k
›Reveal solutionSolution
First recover α=12 by matching the given arctan antiderivative to the standard
form; then integrate ∫x2+4x−12dx by partial fractions to get
81logx+6x−2+k.
Concept and Intuition
∫u2+k2dx=k1tan−1(u/k)+c when the quadratic has no real roots
(discriminant negative); ∫u2−k2dx=2k1logu+ku−k+c
when it factors into real linear pieces. The sign of the completed-square constant is
what decides which family applies — here that same constant, α, is first
recovered from the arctan form, then reused with the opposite sign in the second
integral.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Complete the square: x2+4x+α=(x+2)2+(α−4).
- Given antiderivative uses tan−1(22x+2) scaled by 221 — matching k1tan−1(u/k) with k=22 requires α−4=k2=(22)2=8, so α=12.
- Now find ∫x2+4x−12dx. Factor: x2+4x−12=(x+6)(x−2) (since 6×(−2)=−12 and 6+(−2)=4).
- Partial fractions: (x+6)(x−2)1=x−2A+x+6B. Solving, …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-AN1 markMCQQ.If ∫7−6x−x22x+5dx=A7−6x−x2+Bsin−1(4x+3)+c then the ordered pair (A,B)= (A) (−2,−1) (B) (2,−1) (C) (−2,1) (D) (2,1)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Splitting 2x+5 into a multiple of the derivative of 7−6x−x2 plus a constant reduces the integral to a standard term plus an sin−1 term, giving (A,B)=(−2,−1).
Concept and Intuition
For ∫ax2+bx+cpx+qdx, always split the numerator as (multiple of the derivative of the quadratic under the root) + (constant), because ∫f(x)f′(x)dx=2f(x) handles the first part exactly, leaving a pure 1/quadratic integral for the second part (an inverse-sine form after completing the square).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let f(x)=7−6x−x2. Then f′(x)=−6−2x.
- Write 2x+5=λ(−6−2x)+μ. Matching coefficients of x: 2=−2λ⇒λ=−1. Matching constants: 5=−6λ+μ=6+μ⇒μ=−1.
- So 2x+5=−1⋅(−6−2x)−1.
- ∫f(x)2x+5dx=−1∫f(x)f′(x)dx−∫f(x)dx=−1⋅2f(x)−∫f(x)dx.
- Complete the square: 7−6x−x2=−(x2+6x−7)=−((x+3)2−16)=16−(x+3)2. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.If ∫1+tanx+tan2xtanxdx=x−AKTan−1(AKtanx+1)+c, then the ordered pair (K,A)= (A) (2,3) (B) (2,1) (C) (−2,1) (D) (−2,3)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Rewrite the integrand using tanx=(1+tanx+tan2x)−sec2x and substitute t=tanx; the constants come out as (K,A)=(2,3).
Concept and Intuition
When a rational function of tanx has sec2x hiding in the numerator's structure, splitting the numerator to expose 1+tan2x=sec2x turns the whole thing into a substitution-ready form with t=tanx,dt=sec2xdx.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write
1+tanx+tan2xtanx=1+tanx+tan2x(1+tanx+tan2x)−(1+tan2x)=1−1+tanx+tan2xsec2x.
- So the integral is
∫1dx−∫1+tanx+tan2xsec2xdx=x−∫1+t+t2dt(t=tanx).
- Complete the square: t2+t+1=(t+21)2+43. So
∫(t+21)2+(23)2dt=3/21Tan−1(3/2t+21)=32Tan−1(32t+1).
- Hence …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-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
Two successive substitutions (t=x, then w=(1−t)/(1+t)) collapse the integral to ∫−2dw; the answer is −21+x1−x+c.
Concept and Intuition
The presence of x inside (1+x) and inside x−x2=x1−x both suggest first substituting t=x. What remains — a rational-times-square-root expression in t symmetric under t→−t in a (1±t) sense — is the classic cue for the substitution w2=1+t1−t, which rationalizes everything at once.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Note x−x2=x(1−x), so x−x2=x1−x, and the integral is
∫(1+x)x1−xdx.
- Let t=x, so x=t2, dx=2tdt:
∫(1+t)t1−t22tdt=∫(1+t)(1−t)(1+t)2dt=∫(1+t)3/2(1−t)1/22dt.
- Let w=1+t1−t, so t=1+w21−w2 and dt=(1+w2)2−4wdw. One finds
1+t=1+w22,1−t=1+w22w2,
so
(1+t)3/2(1−t)1/2=(1+w2)24w.
- Substituting, …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-AN1 markMCQQ.For x>0, if ∫x2+5x+71dx=32F(x)+k and F(−25)=0, then sin(F(x))= (A) 32x−5 (B) 2x2+5x+72x+5 (C) 2x+52x2+5x+7 (D) 32x2+5x+7
›Reveal solutionSolution
Complete the square to integrate the quadratic denominator as a standard arctangent form, identify F(x) from the boundary condition, then convert sin(arctanu) into an algebraic expression.
Concept and Intuition
Any integral of the form ∫x2+px+qdx reduces to the standard ∫u2+a2du=a1arctanau+C once the quadratic is written as a completed square. Here the given answer form 32F(x)+k tells us F must be exactly that arctangent (up to an additive constant fixed by the given boundary value), after which sin(arctanu)=u/1+u2 finishes the job.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Complete the square: x2+5x+7=(x+25)2+(7−425)=(x+25)2+43.
- Standard integral: ∫(x+5/2)2+(3/2)2dx=3/21arctan(3/2x+5/2)+C=32arctan(32x+5)+C.
- Matching the given form 32F(x)+k, take F(x)=arctan(32x+5)+c0. Since F(−5/2)=0: at x=−5/2, 32x+5=0, so arctan(0)+c0=c0=0. Thus F(x)=arctan(32x+5).
- Let u=32x+5, so F(x)=arctanu and sin(F(x))=1+u2u. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.∫x2+x+1dx (A) 4(2x+1)x2+x+1+83Sinh−1(32x+1)+c (B) 4x+1x2+x+1+83Sinh−1(32x+1)+c (C) 4x+1x2+x+1−83Sinh−1(32x+1)+c (D) 4(2x+1)x2+x+1−83Sinh−1(32x+1)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Completing the square turns x2+x+1 into the standard u2+a2 form, whose known integral gives option (A).
Concept and Intuition
The standard result ∫u2+a2du=2uu2+a2+2a2Sinh−1(au)+c applies to any quadratic under a square root once it's written as a perfect square plus a constant.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Complete the square: x2+x+1=(x+21)2+43. Let u=x+21, a2=43 (so a=23).
- Apply the formula: ∫u2+a2du=2uu2+a2+2a2Sinh−1(au)+c.
- 2u=2x+21=42x+1, and u2+a2=x2+x+1.
- 2a2=23/4=83, and au=3/2x+21=32x+1. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-FN1 markMCQQ.∫9cos2x−24sinxcosx+16sin2x1dx= (A) 4(3cosx−4sinx)cosx+c (B) 4(3cosx−4sinx)sinx+c (C) 3cosx−4sinxcosx+c (D) 3cosx−4sinxsinx+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Recognising the denominator as the perfect square (3cosx−4sinx)2 and substituting u=3−4tanx reduces the integral to a simple power rule, giving 4(3cosx−4sinx)cosx+c.
Concept and Intuition
When a trigonometric denominator has the form a2cos2x−2absinxcosx+b2sin2x, check whether it is a perfect square (acosx−bsinx)2 first — this instantly turns a messy-looking integral into ∫sec2(⋅)/(linear in tanx)2dx, solvable by substitution.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Observe 9cos2x−24sinxcosx+16sin2x=(3cosx−4sinx)2 (matches a2−2ab+b2 with a=3cosx, b=4sinx).
- So the integral is ∫(3cosx−4sinx)2dx.
- Divide numerator and denominator by cos2x: =∫(3−4tanx)2sec2xdx.
- Let u=3−4tanx, so du=−4sec2xdx, i.e. sec2xdx=−41du. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-FN1 markMCQQ.∫9x2−12x+1(3x−2)tan(9x2−12x+1)dx= (A) 31sec29x2−12x+1+c (B) 31sec2x+c (C) 21logsec9x2−12x+1+c (D) 31logsec9x2−12x+1+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
A double substitution — first u=9x2−12x+1, then w=u — turns the integral into a plain ∫tanwdw, giving 31log∣sec9x2−12x+1∣+c.
Concept and Intuition
When (3x−2) (half the derivative of 9x2−12x+1) sits outside a function of 9x2−12x+1, a chained substitution — first for the quadratic, then for its square root — collapses the whole expression to a single-variable standard integral.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=9x2−12x+1. Then du=(18x−12)dx=6(3x−2)dx, so (3x−2)dx=6du.
- Integral becomes ∫utanu⋅6du=61∫utanudu.
- Let w=u, so dw=2udu, i.e. udu=2dw.
- Integral becomes 61∫tanw⋅2dw=31∫tanwdw=31(−log∣cosw∣)+c=31log∣secw∣+c. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-24-FN1 markMCQQ.∫(tanx+cotx)dx= (A) 2Tan−1(tanxtanx−1)+c (B) Tan−1(2tanxtanx−2)+c (C) 2Tan−1(2tanxtanx−1)+c (D) 2Tan−1(2tanxtanx+1)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
The integral ∫(tanx+cotx)dx is a classic "sum of square-root trig" integral that reduces to an arctangent form; verified here by direct differentiation, giving option (C).
Concept and Intuition
tanx+cotx combines to tanxtanx+1, and integrals of this shape are standard results that produce an inverse-tangent (or occasionally inverse-sine) antiderivative involving 2tanx. Rather than re-deriving the substitution from scratch, the fastest reliable check with multiple-choice options is to differentiate each candidate and see which one reproduces the integrand exactly.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Rewrite the integrand: tanx+cotx=tanx+tanx1=tanxtanx+1.
- Test option (C): let u=2tanxtanx−1, and check dxd[2Tan−1(u)]=2⋅1+u2u′.
- Compute 1+u2=1+2tanx(tanx−1)2=2tanx2tanx+(tanx−1)2=2tanxtan2x+1=2tanxsec2x.
- Compute u′ (quotient rule on u=(tanx−1)(2tanx)−1/2):
u′=sec2x(2tanx)−3/2[(2tanx)−(tanx−1)]=sec2x(2tanx)−3/2(tanx+1).
- Combine: 1+u2u′=sec2x(2tanx)−3/2(tanx+1)⋅sec2x2tanx=(2tanx)3/22tanx(tanx+1)=2tanxtanx+1⋅11 (after simplifying (2tanx)3/2/(2tanx)=2tanx), giving 2tanxtanx+1. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-24-FN1 markMCQQ.∫2x+4x−2dx= (A) x−2−21Tan−1(2x−2)+c (B) x−2−2Tan−1(2x−2)+c (C) x−2+2Tan−1(2x−2)+c (D) x−2+21Tan−1(2x−2)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
A rationalizing substitution x−2=t2 converts the integral into a simple ∫(1−t2+44)dt, giving x−2−2Tan−1(2x−2)+c.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever an integral has a single square root of a linear expression (here x−2), the substitution x−2=t2 (so t=x−2) removes the square root entirely and typically converts the integral into a rational function of t, which is then handled by the standard ∫t2+a2dt arctan formula.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Simplify the denominator first: 2x+4=2(x+2), so the integral is 21∫x+2x−2dx.
- Substitute x−2=t2⇒x=t2+2, dx=2tdt, and x+2=t2+4.
- The integral becomes
21∫t2+4t⋅2tdt=∫t2+4t2dt.
- Split the rational function: t2+4t2=1−t2+44.
- Integrate termwise: ∫(1−t2+44)dt=t−4⋅21Tan−1(2t)+c=t−2Tan−1(2t)+c.
- Substitute back t=x−2: …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-24-FN1 markMCQQ.∫x2−2x+5xdx= (A) x2−2x+5+Sinh−1(2x−1)+c (B) 21x2−2x+5+Sin−1(2x−1)+c (C) 2x2−2x+5+Cosh−1(2x−1)+c (D) x2−2x+5−Cos−1(2x−1)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
A rational-times-radical integral of the form ∫ax2+bx+cxdx, split by writing the numerator to match the derivative of the radicand. Answer: x2−2x+5+Sinh−1(2x−1)+c.
Concept and Intuition
The standard technique for ∫x2+bx+cxdx is to complete the square in the radicand and write x as (half the derivative of the radicand) plus a constant — this splits the integral into an easy "u/u2+a2" piece and a standard inverse hyperbolic-sine piece.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Complete the square: x2−2x+5=(x−1)2+4.
- Let u=x−1⇒x=u+1, dx=du. The integral becomes ∫u2+4u+1du.
- Split: ∫u2+4udu+∫u2+4du.
- First piece: ∫u2+4udu=u2+4+C1 (direct substitution w=u2+4).
- Second piece: ∫u2+4du=Sinh−1(2u)+C2 (standard form ∫u2+a2du=Sinh−1(u/a)). …
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