Q.Integrate the following function: x2−1x+2
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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 — split the numerator to match the derivative of the denominator’s inside.
Step 1: Write the integral as a sum:
∫x2−1x+2dx=∫x2−1xdx+∫x2−12dx
Step 2: For the first term, let u=x2−1, so du=2xdx and xdx=2du. Then
∫x2−1xdx=21∫u−1/2du=u=x2−1
Step 3: The second term is a standard form: …
The key idea is to split the integral into two parts: one that matches the derivative of the denominator (giving a natural log) and another that matches a standard inverse hyperbolic form. The final result is x2−1+2log∣x+x2−1∣+C.
We are integrating x2−1x+2. The denominator x2−1 suggests two classic patterns: the derivative of x2−1 is x2−1x, and the derivative of log∣x+x2−1∣ is x2−11. So the numerator x+2 is perfectly set up to be split into x and 2, each handled by one of these patterns.
Let’s work through it step by step.
- Split the integrand Write the integral as the sum of two simpler integrals:
∫x2−1x+2dx=∫x2−1xdx+2∫x2−11dx.
- First integral: ∫x2−1xdx Notice that the numerator x is (up to a constant) the derivative of x2−1, which sits inside the square root. This is a classic candidate for substitution. Let u=x2−1. Then du=2xdx, so xdx=2du. The integral becomes:
∫x2−1xdx=∫u1⋅2du=21∫u−1/2du.
Integrating: 21⋅2u1/2=u=x2−1.
So the first part gives x2−1.
- Second integral: 2∫x2−11dx This is a standard form. Recall that dxdlog∣x+x2−1∣=x2−11. Therefore, 2∫x2−11dx=2log∣x+x2−1∣. …
Method: quadraticlinear — split the numerator
Write the linear numerator as (a multiple of the derivative of the radicand) + (a constant), so the integral splits into a u-substitution part and a standard-form part.
Steps
Step 1: Split the numerator. For ∫Q(x)px+qdx with Q(x)=ax2+bx+c, write
px+q=λQ′(x)+μ,Q′(x)=2ax+b,
and solve for λ,μ by matching coefficients.
Step 2: First piece — u-substitution.
λ∫Q(x)Q′(x)dx=2λQ(x). …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Integrating the numerator and denominator separately.
Why it's wrong: ∫x2−1x+2dx=∫x2−1∫(x+2). Correct approach: split the numerator into a derivative-part plus a constant, then integrate each piece.
Mistake 2: Losing the constant piece μ. …
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-2022-07-07-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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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. …
- 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 2022Set eng-2022-07-08-FN1 markMCQQ.0<x<1, ∫x2−x5dx=31log∣f(x)∣+C, then f(1/2)= (A) 8+78−7 (B) 8−78+7 (C) 2(8−7) (D) 2(8−7)2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting t=x3 then 1−t=w2 integrates ∫dx/(x1−x3) cleanly to 31log1+1−x31−1−x3, and evaluating at x=1/2 gives 8+78−7.
Concept and Intuition
The key simplification is x2−x5=x2(1−x3), since 0<x<1 makes x>0 so x2(1−x3)=x1−x3. From there, the substitution t=x3 turns the integral into the very standard form ∫t1−tdt, solvable by a further substitution 1−t=w2.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Rewrite: I=∫x2−x5dx=∫x1−x3dx (using x>0).
- Let t=x3⇒dt=3x2dx⇒dx=3x2dt. Then I=∫3x2⋅x1−tdt=∫3x31−tdt=31∫t1−tdt (since x3=t).
- Let 1−t=w2⇒t=1−w2, dt=−2wdw: ∫t1−tdt=∫(1−w2)w−2wdw=−2∫1−w2dw=−log1−w1+w=log1+w1−w.
- So I=31log1+w1−w+C where w=1−t=1−x3, i.e. f(x)=1+1−x31−1−x3.
- Verify by differentiating (chain rule through w) that this reproduces x1−x31 — confirmed. …
- 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. …
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