Q.Integrate the following function: x2+4x−5
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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 Integration By Completing the Square — rewriting the quadratic inside the square root to use standard trigonometric substitution forms.
First, complete the square:
x2+4x−5=(x+2)2−9
So the integral becomes ∫(x+2)2−9dx.
Let u=x+2, then du=dx, and we have ∫u2−9du. This matches the standard form ∫u2−a2du with a=3.
Using the known formula:
∫u2−a2du=2uu2−a2−2a2logu+u2−a2+C …
The integral ∫x2+4x−5dx is solved by completing the square to get (x+2)2−9, then using the standard trigonometric substitution x+2=3secθ. The final result is 2x+2x2+4x−5−29logx+2+x2+4x−5+C.
Why Completing the Square Works
When you see a quadratic inside a square root, your first instinct might be to try a u-substitution. But x2+4x−5 isn't a perfect square — it has a linear term that blocks a clean substitution. Completing the square rewrites it as (x+2)2−9, which is a difference of squares. That form screams for a trigonometric substitution, because expressions like u2−a2 are tailor-made for secant or hyperbolic cosine substitutions.
The core idea: turn the messy quadratic into a recognizable Pythagorean form, then let trigonometry handle the rest.
Step-by-Step Solution
1. Complete the square inside the radical.
Take x2+4x−5. Half of 4 is 2, square it to get 4. Add and subtract 4:
x2+4x−5=(x2+4x+4)−4−5=(x+2)2−9
So the integral becomes:
∫(x+2)2−9dx
Always check: (x+2)2−9=x2+4x+4−9=x2+4x−5 — correct. This step is just algebraic rearrangement, no calculus yet.
2. Choose a substitution that eliminates the square root.
We have u2−a2 with u=x+2 and a=3. The standard trick: set u=asecθ, because sec2θ−1=tan2θ.
Let x+2=3secθ. Then dx=3secθtanθdθ.
Now substitute:
(x+2)2−9=9sec2θ−9=9(sec2θ−1)=3tan2θ=3∣tanθ∣
For the indefinite integral, we assume the principal branch where θ∈[0,π/2)∪(π/2,π], so tanθ≥0 when secθ≥1 (which matches x+2≥3). We'll take tanθ≥0 and drop the absolute value, keeping in mind the domain.
Forgetting the absolute value on tan2θ is a common mistake. In definite integrals, you must consider the sign of tanθ over the interval. For indefinite integrals, we typically work on a branch where the sign is positive.
3. Rewrite the integral in terms of θ.
∫(x+2)2−9dx=∫(3tanθ)⋅(3secθtanθdθ)=9∫secθtan2θdθ
4. Simplify tan2θ using the Pythagorean identity.
Recall tan2θ=sec2θ−1. So:
9∫secθ(sec2θ−1)dθ=9∫(sec3θ−secθ)dθ
Now we need two standard integrals: ∫sec3θdθ and ∫secθdθ.
Standard integrals:
∫secθdθ=log∣secθ+tanθ∣+C
∫sec3θdθ=21secθtanθ+21log∣secθ+tanθ∣+C
5. Apply the formulas.
9∫sec3θdθ=9(21secθtanθ+21log∣secθ+tanθ∣)
9∫secθdθ=9log∣secθ+tanθ∣
Subtract: …
Method: Complete the square, then use a standard formula
To integrate quadratic, rewrite the quadratic as (x+p)2±a2 or a2−(x+p)2 by completing the square, substitute t=x+p, and quote the matching standard integral.
Steps
Step 1: Complete the square on the quadratic under the root, so it becomes (x+p)2+k for some constant k.
Step 2: Substitute t=x+p (so dt=dx); the integral becomes ∫t2±a2dt or ∫a2−t2dt.
Step 3: Apply the correct standard formula.
∫t2−a2dt=2tt2−a2−2a2logt+t2−a2+C, …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Completing the square as (x+2)2−5⇒(x+2)2+… sign slip.
Why it's wrong: x2+4x−5=(x+2)2−9; the constant is −9, a t2−a2 form. Correct approach: (x+2)2−4−5=(x+2)2−9, so a2=9.
Mistake 2: Using sin−1 instead of log. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 35 on this concept.
- 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)). …
- 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.∫(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 2023Set eng-2023-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.If ∫x[(logx)2+4logx−1]1dx=Alog[logx+Clogx+B]+K where K is the constant of integration, then (A) A=251,B=(2−5),C=(2+5) (B) A=−251,B=(2−5),C=(2+5) (C) A=251,B=(2+5),C=(2−5) (D) A=−251,B=(2+5),C=(2−5)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting t=logx turns the integral into a standard ∫dt/(t2−a2)-type form (after completing the square), directly giving A,B,C.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever an integral contains logx repeatedly and dx/x is available (or can be produced), the substitution t=logx (so dt=dx/x) simplifies it into a rational-function integral in t, solvable by completing the square and the standard log formula for ∫dt/(t2−a2).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let t=logx⇒dt=xdx. The integral becomes ∫t2+4t−1dt.
- Complete the square: t2+4t−1=(t+2)2−5.
- ∫(t+2)2−5dt=251log(t+2)+5(t+2)−5+K (standard formula ∫u2−a2du=2a1logu+au−a, with u=t+2,a=5). …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-25-AN1 markMCQQ.∫7−6x−x2dx= (A) Sinh−1(4x+3)+c (B) log4x+3+c (C) Sin−1(4x+3)+c (D) 21Sin−1(4x+3)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Completing the square under the root reveals the standard form ∫a2−u2dx=sin−1(u/a). Answer: sin−1(4x+3)+c.
Concept and Intuition
A quadratic under a square root, when completed to the square, reveals which standard integral form applies: a2−(x−h)2 gives an arcsine, while (x−h)2+a2 or (x−h)2−a2 give hyperbolic-inverse/log forms.
Step-by-Step Solution
- 7−6x−x2=−(x2+6x−7)=−[(x+3)2−9−7]=−(x+3)2+16=16−(x+3)2.
- So the integral is ∫42−(x+3)2dx.
- Using ∫a2−u2du=sin−1(au)+c with u=x+3, a=4: …
- 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 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-2025-05-26-AN1 markMCQQ.∫1+x+x21dx= (A) 32log(2x−1−32x+1+3)+c (B) 31log(2x+1+32x+1−3)+c (C) 32tan−1(32x+1)+c (D) 52tan−1(52x+1)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Completing the square turns the quadratic denominator into a sum of squares, a standard ∫u2+a2dx form.
Concept and Intuition
Any ∫ax2+bx+cdx with no real roots in the denominator reduces, by completing the square, to the standard arctan integral ∫u2+a2du=a1tan−1au+c.
Step-by-Step Solution
- 1+x+x2=(x+21)2+1−41=(x+21)2+43.
- So the integral is ∫(x+21)2+(23)2dx.
- Using ∫u2+a2du=a1tan−1au+c with u=x+21, a=23: =3/21tan−1(3/2x+1/2)+c=32tan−1(32x+1)+c. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-18-AN1 markMCQQ.If I=∫133+x+x2dx, then I lies in the interval (A) (25,215) (B) (3,25) (C) (23,33) (D) (215,23)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Bound the integral using the minimum and maximum of the increasing integrand on [1,3]: I must lie between 25 and 215.
Concept and Intuition
When an exact antiderivative is messy, a quick way to pin down which interval an integral lies in is to bound the integrand: if m≤f(x)≤M on [a,b], then m(b−a)≤∫abfdx≤M(b−a), with strict inequality when f is not constant.
Step-by-Step Solution
- x2+x+3=(x+21)2+411 is increasing for x>−21, so on [1,3], f(x)=x2+x+3 is strictly increasing.
- f(1)=1+1+3=5 (minimum on [1,3]).
- f(3)=9+3+3=15 (maximum on [1,3]).
- Since the interval length is 3−1=2: 25<I=∫13f(x)dx<215. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-16-FN1 markMCQQ.∫x32x4−2x2+1x2−1dx= (A) 2x212x4+2x2+1+C (B) 2x212x4−2x2+1+C (C) 2x214x4−2x2+1+C (D) 2x214x4+2x2+1+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Verify by differentiation: F(x)=2x212x4−2x2+1 differentiates back to the given integrand, so this is the antiderivative.
Concept and Intuition
When an integrand looks like it could come from differentiating a quotient of the form x2quartic, the fastest rigorous route (especially under exam time pressure) is to differentiate the most plausible option and check it reproduces the integrand exactly, rather than deriving the substitution from scratch.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=2x4−2x2+1 and F=2x2u.
- u′=2u8x3−4x=u4x3−2x.
- Quotient rule: F′=4x4u′⋅2x2−u⋅4x=4x4u(4x3−2x)⋅2x2−4xu.
- Multiply numerator and denominator by u: F′=4x4u2x2(4x3−2x)−4xu2=4x4u8x5−4x3−4x(2x4−2x2+1).
- Expand the numerator: 8x5−4x3−8x5+8x3−4x=4x3−4x. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-FN1 markMCQQ.∫x32x4−2x2+1x2−1dx (A) 2x21+2x2+2x4+c (B) 2x2(1+2x2+2x4)1/2+c (C) 2x21−2x2+2x4+c (D) 2x2(1−2x2+2x4)1/2+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Verifying the antiderivative by differentiating each candidate is faster and safer than guessing a substitution; the derivative of option (D) reproduces the integrand exactly. Answer: option (D).
Concept and Intuition
When an integral has an awkward-looking algebraic form under a square root, and the options are all algebraic expressions (not transcendental), the fastest rigorous check is to differentiate the candidate answers and see which one reproduces the integrand — this avoids errors in choosing a substitution.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let N(x)=1−2x2+2x4 (note this equals 2x4−2x2+1, the expression under the root in the integrand).
- Try f(x)=2x2N1/2=21N1/2x−2.
- Differentiate: f′(x)=4N1/2x2N′−x3N1/2, where N′=−4x+8x3=4x(2x2−1).
- First term becomes xN1/2(2x2−1). Combine both terms over the common denominator x3N1/2:
f′(x)=x3N1/2(2x2−1)x2−N.
- Numerator: (2x2−1)x2−N=(2x4−x2)−(1−2x2+2x4)=x2−1. …
- 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: …
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