Q.Integrate the following function: x(xn+1)1 [Hint: multiply numerator and denominator by xn−1 and put xn=t]
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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 – the hint suggests a clever manipulation to create a derivative inside the integral.
Step 1: Multiply numerator and denominator by xn−1:
∫x(xn+1)1dx=∫xn(xn+1)xn−1dx
Step 2: Let t=xn, so dt=nxn−1dx, giving xn−1dx=ndt. The integral becomes:
∫t(t+1)1⋅ndt
Step 3: Use partial fractions: t(t+1)1=t1−t+11. Integrate: …
The trick is to multiply by xn−1 so the substitution xn=t makes the denominator factor nicely, turning the integral into a standard partial-fractions form. The final result is n1logxn+1xn+C.
Why this approach works
When you see a function like x(xn+1)1, the denominator is a product of x and a binomial in xn. Direct substitution of xn=t is tempting, but dx doesn't play nicely with dt unless we adjust the integrand first. The hint — multiply numerator and denominator by xn−1 — is the key move. Why xn−1? Because xn−1dx is exactly n1dt when t=xn. That turns the integral into something rational in t, which we can split using partial fractions.
Let's walk through it.
-
Multiply numerator and denominator by xn−1
We start with:
I=∫x(xn+1)1dx
Multiply top and bottom by xn−1:
I=∫x⋅xn−1(xn+1)xn−1dx=∫xn(xn+1)xn−1dx
The denominator is now xn(xn+1) — a product of two factors, each a power of xn. That's the signal: substitute t=xn.
-
Perform the substitution xn=t
Differentiate: nxn−1dx=dt, so xn−1dx=n1dt. The integral becomes:
I=∫t(t+1)1⋅n1dt=n1∫t(t+1)1dt
Clean and simple.
-
Decompose into partial fractions
We need to split t(t+1)1. Write:
t(t+1)1=tA+t+1B
Multiply through by t(t+1):
1=A(t+1)+Bt
Solve for A and B. Set t=0: 1=A(1)⇒A=1. Set t=−1: 1=B(−1)⇒B=−1. So:
t(t+1)1=t1−t+11 …
Method: Manufacture a Substitution, then Partial Fractions
Use this when an integrand isn't directly rational but becomes rational after a clever substitution — often signalled by a hint like "put xn=t."
Steps
Step 1: Create the derivative you need.
Multiply numerator and denominator by a factor that makes the derivative of the intended substitution appear. For x(xn+1)1, multiply by xn−1:
∫xn(xn+1)xn−1dx
Step 2: Substitute.
Let t=xn, so dt=nxn−1dx, i.e. xn−1dx=ndt. The integral becomes n1∫t(t+1)dt. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Dropping the n1 factor from the substitution.
Why it's wrong: t=xn gives dt=nxn−1dx, so xn−1dx=ndt — the n1 multiplies the whole integral; omitting it scales the answer wrongly. Correct approach: carry n1 through to n1logxn+1xn.
Mistake 2: Substituting t=xn without first multiplying by xn−1. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 51 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.∫(logx)mxndx= (A) ∫tmentdt, t=ex (B) ∫tme(n+1)tdt, t=ex (C) ∫tme(n+1)tdt, x=et (D) ∫tmentdt, x=et
›Reveal solutionSolution
The substitution x=et (equivalently t=logx) converts a (logx)mxn integral into an exponential-times-power integral in t.
Concept and Intuition
When an integrand is built from logx and powers of x, setting x=et makes logx=t directly, and turns xndx into an exponential in t — a very standard substitution for this integral family.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let x=et, so t=logx and dx=etdt.
- Then (logx)m=tm and xn=(et)n=ent.
- Substitute into the integral: ∫(logx)mxndx=∫tm⋅ent⋅etdt=∫tme(n+1)tdt. …
- 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 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 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 2024Set eng-2024-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.∫x55x5+11dx= (A) 5x5+14+c (B) 4x4(x5+1)4/5+c (C) −4x4(x5+1)4/5+c (D) −4x5(x5+1)4/5+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Rewriting the integrand to expose 1+x−5 as the natural substitution variable solves this cleanly; the answer is −4x4(x5+1)4/5+c.
Concept and Intuition
When an integral mixes a power of x with a root of a polynomial in x, factoring out the highest power of x from inside the root often converts the expression into a function of 1/x (or x−5 here), whose derivative is already present elsewhere in the integrand — a clean substitution.
Step-by-Step Solution
- (x5+1)−1/5=(x5(1+x−5))−1/5=x−1(1+x−5)−1/5.
- So the integrand x−5(x5+1)−1/5=x−6(1+x−5)−1/5.
- Let t=1+x−5, so dt=−5x−6dx⇒x−6dx=−5dt.
- Integral =∫t−1/5(−5dt)=−51⋅4/5t4/5+c=−41t4/5+c. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-08-AN1 markMCQQ.∫15(1+x2)12(2+x2)18xdx=α(2+x21+x2)1/n+C⇒αn= (A) 6 (B) 4 (C) 2 (D) 8
›Reveal solutionSolution
With u=x2, the integrand's exponents −12/15=−4/5 and −18/15=−6/5 match exactly the derivative of (2+u1+u)1/5, giving α=5/2,n=5 and n/α=2.
Concept and Intuition
When an integrand looks like (1+u)p(2+u)q with p+q=−1 (here −4/5−6/5=−2... check exponents sum), it's often the derivative of a power of the ratio (2+u1+u)k — differentiating a power of a quotient of two linear factors naturally produces exactly this product-of-powers structure.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Substitute u=x2, du=2xdx: ∫[(1+x2)12(2+x2)18]1/15xdx=21∫(1+u)−12/15(2+u)−18/15du=21∫(1+u)−4/5(2+u)−6/5du.
- Try g(u)=(2+u1+u)k. Then g′(u)=k(2+u1+u)k−1⋅(2+u)2(2+u)−(1+u)=k(1+u)k−1(2+u)−k−1.
- Match exponents: k−1=−54⇒k=51; check −k−1=−56 ✓ (consistent).
- So g′(u)=51(1+u)−4/5(2+u)−6/5, hence ∫(1+u)−4/5(2+u)−6/5du=5g(u)+C. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.∫(x5+1)6/5dx= (A) 5x5+11+c (B) x5x5+1+c (C) 5x5+1x+c (D) 5x5+1+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Recognizing the integrand as the derivative of 5x5+1x (verified by direct differentiation) gives the antiderivative immediately.
Concept and Intuition
For integrals of the form ∫(xn+1)(n+1)/ndx, a useful trick is to guess that the antiderivative looks like (xn+1)1/nx (a ratio designed to make the product-rule differentiation collapse nicely), and then verify by differentiating it — if it reproduces the integrand exactly, we're done. This is often faster than a substitution for this particular family.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Guess the antiderivative g(x)=(x5+1)1/5x=x(x5+1)−1/5.
- Differentiate using the product rule: g′(x)=(x5+1)−1/5+x⋅(−51)(x5+1)−6/5⋅5x4.
- Simplify the second term: x⋅(−51)(5x4)(x5+1)−6/5=−x5(x5+1)−6/5.
- So g′(x)=(x5+1)−1/5−x5(x5+1)−6/5.
- Factor out (x5+1)−6/5: g′(x)=(x5+1)−6/5[(x5+1)−x5]=(x5+1)−6/5×1=(x5+1)−6/5. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-23-FN1 markMCQQ.If ∫x71−x4dx=f(x){1−x4}n+c, then (f(x))n= ______ (A) 6x6−1 (B) 216x18−1 (C) 36x121 (D) 216x181
›Reveal solutionSolution
A reduction-formula-style substitution t=x−2 turns the integral into a simple power form; matching to the given answer form identifies f(x) and n, then (f(x))n follows directly.
Concept and Intuition
Integrals of the form ∫xm(a+bxn)pdx can often be simplified by substituting t=x−n when (m+1)/n isn't an integer but (m+1)/n+p is — exactly the situation here with m=−7, n=4, p=1/2.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write the integral as ∫x−7(1−x4)1/2dx.
- Substitute t=x−2, so dt=−2x−3dx⇒dx=−2x3dt, and x−4=t2.
- x−7dx=x−7⋅(−2x3)dt=−2x−4dt=−2t2dt.
- 1−x4=1−t21=t2t2−1, so 1−x4=tt2−1 (for t>0).
- The integral becomes ∫tt2−1⋅(−2t2)dt=−21∫tt2−1dt.
- Let s=t2−1, ds=2tdt: −21∫s⋅2ds=−41⋅32s3/2=−61(t2−1)3/2+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-2022-07-05-FN1 markMCQQ.∫(x−3)4/5(x+1)6/5dx= (A) 455x+1x−3+C (B) 45(x−3x+1)1/5+C (C) 51(x+1x−3)1/5+C (D) 45(x+4x−3)4/5+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Splitting off (x+1)2 turns the integrand into a pure power of t=x+1x−3, giving 45(x+1x−3)1/5+C.
Concept and Intuition
When an integrand has the form (x−a)p(x−b)q with p+q an integer (here 54+56=2), factoring out (x−b)p+q and substituting t=x−bx−a collapses the whole thing to a simple power of t — a standard trick for these "unequal fractional exponent" integrals.
Step-by-Step Solution
- (x−3)4/5(x+1)6/5=(x+1)2[x+1x−3]4/5 (factoring out (x+1)4/5+6/5=(x+1)2).
- So the integrand is (x+1)−2[x+1x−3]−4/5.
- Let t=x+1x−3. Then dxdt=(x+1)2(x+1)−(x−3)=(x+1)24, so (x+1)−2dx=4dt.
- The integral becomes 41∫t−4/5dt=41⋅1/5t1/5+C=45t1/5+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 2022Set eng-2022-07-06-FN1 markMCQQ.If ∫x2022(1+x2022)1/2022dx=nxn−(1+xm)n/m+C, then m−n= (A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
A standard ∫dx/[xk+1...] trick factoring xk out of the bracket gives m=2022, n=2021, hence m−n=1.
Concept and Intuition
For integrals of the form ∫xk(1+xk)1/kdx, the standard technique is to pull xk out from inside the bracket, turning it into (1+x−k), and then substitute u=1+x−k so that du naturally produces the x−(k+1)dx factor needed.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write 1+x2022=x2022(1+x−2022), so (1+x2022)−1/2022=x−1(1+x−2022)−1/2022.
- The integrand becomes x−2022⋅x−1(1+x−2022)−1/2022=x−2023(1+x−2022)−1/2022.
- Let u=1+x−2022, so du=−2022x−2023dx⇒x−2023dx=−2022du.
- Integral =∫u−1/2022(−2022du)=−20221⋅2021/2022u2021/2022+C=−2021u2021/2022+C.
- Substitute back: u2021/2022=(1+x−2022)2021/2022=x2021(1+x2022)2021/2022. …
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