Q.Evaluate the definite integral: ∫0π/4sin2x dx
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Sine Double Angle Integration
Sine Double Angle Integration — From Intuition to Formula
Suppose you want the area under sin(2x) from x=0 to π/2. This graph oscillates twice as fast as a regular sine wave, completing a cycle in π units instead of 2π — the "double angle" inside compresses the wave horizontally.
The catch: you can't integrate sin(2x) the same way as sinx. Differentiating cos(2x) gives −2sin(2x) — not −sin(2x) — so the antiderivative needs a factor to compensate for that extra 2.
The Precise Statement
∫sin(ax)dx=−a1cos(ax)+C
For a=2:
∫sin(2x)dx=−21cos(2x)+C
This is the sine double angle integration formula — a direct application of the reverse chain rule.
Why It Works
Differentiate the right-hand side:
dxd[−21cos(2x)+C]=−21⋅(−sin(2x))⋅2=sin(2x)
The −21 cancels the −2 from the chain rule, leaving exactly sin(2x).
A common mistake is writing ∫sin(2x)dx=−cos(2x)+C. Differentiating −cos(2x) gives 2sin(2x), not sin(2x). Always check by differentiating your answer.
Definite Integrals
∫absin(2x)dx=[−21cos(2x)]ab=−21[cos(2b)−cos(2a)]
Example: ∫0π/2sin(2x)dx=−21[cos(π)−cos(0)]=−21[(−1)−1]=1.
The General Pattern
∫sin(kx)dx=−k1cos(kx)+C
The k in the denominator is the "compensation factor" for the chain rule, working for any constant k=0. …
The key idea is that this is a straightforward definite integral of a trigonometric function — no symmetry trick needed here, just direct integration.
Step 1: Recall the antiderivative.
∫sin2xdx=−21cos2x+C.
Step 2: Apply the limits 0 to 4π:
[−21cos2x]0π/4=−21cos(2π)−(−21cos0). …
The integral ∫0π/4sin2xdx is solved using a simple substitution (u=2x) or by directly recalling the antiderivative of sin2x. The value is 21.
The key idea here is that the integrand sin2x is a scaled version of the basic sine function. When you see an argument like 2x, your first instinct should be to think about how the chain rule works in reverse — that is, substitution.
Let’s walk through it.
-
Recognize the form.
The integral is ∫sin(2x)dx. If it were just ∫sinxdx, the answer would be −cosx+C. But because the argument is 2x, the derivative of 2x (which is 2) will appear when we differentiate cos(2x). So the antiderivative will involve a factor of 21.
-
Use substitution (or pattern recall).
Let u=2x. Then du=2dx, so dx=2du.
When x=0, u=0. When x=4π, u=2π.
The integral becomes:
∫x=0x=π/4sin(2x)dx=∫u=0u=π/2sinu⋅2du=21∫0π/2sinudu.
- Evaluate the simpler integral. The antiderivative of sinu is −cosu. So:
21[−cosu]0π/2=21(−cos2π+cos0).
We know cos2π=0 and cos0=1. So this becomes:
21(−0+1)=21. …
Method: Definite integral of sin2x (constant-multiple substitution)
Integrate sin(kx) to −kcos(kx), then evaluate across the limits.
Steps
Step 1: Recall ∫sin(kx)dx=−kcos(kx). Here k=2, so F(x)=−2cos2x.
Step 2: Set the bracket. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Integrating sin2x to −cos2x (missing the 21).
Why it's wrong: the inner factor 2 demands dividing by 2: ∫sin2xdx=−2cos2x. Correct approach: divide by k.
Mistake 2: Sign error on ∫sin. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 22 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-FN1 markMCQQ.∫0π/2sinxsin6xdx= (A) 1526 (B) 15256 (C) 1564 (D) 1517
›Reveal solutionSolution
Expanding sin6x/sinx as a sum of cosines (a Chebyshev-type identity) and integrating term by term gives 26/15.
Concept and Intuition
Ratios like sin(nθ)/sinθ are polynomials in cosθ (Chebyshev polynomials of the second kind), and can always be rewritten as a finite sum of cosines of multiples of θ. This makes the integral trivial term by term, instead of trying to integrate the ratio directly.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Claim: sin6θ=sinθ[2cos5θ+2cos3θ+2cosθ]. Verify using the product-to-sum identity 2sinθcoskθ=sin(k+1)θ−sin(k−1)θ: taking k=5,3,1 gives (sin6θ−sin4θ)+(sin4θ−sin2θ)+(sin2θ−sin0)=sin6θ — the sum telescopes perfectly.
- So sinxsin6x=2cos5x+2cos3x+2cosx.
- Integrate: ∫0π/22cos5xdx=[52sin5x]0π/2=52sin25π=52(1)=52. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-AN1 markMCQQ.∫1+tan2θ1dθ= (A) 21+21log(sin2θ+cos2θ)+c (B) 21θ+41log(sinθ+cosθ)+c (C) 21θ+41logcos2θ+41log(1+tan2θ)+c (D) 41θ+21logcos2θ+21log(1+tan2θ)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Splitting cos2θ/(sin2θ+cos2θ) into a constant plus an exact-derivative piece gives 21θ+41log(sin2θ+cos2θ)+c, which rewrites as option (C).
Concept and Intuition
Integrals of the form ∫1+tankθ1dθ are handled by converting to sines/cosines and splitting the numerator into a piece that's a constant multiple of the denominator (integrates to θ) plus a piece that's proportional to the derivative of the denominator (integrates to a log). Recognising cos2θ=21[(sin2θ+cos2θ)+(cos2θ−sin2θ)] is the standard split.
Step-by-Step Solution
- 1+tan2θ1=cos2θ+sin2θcos2θ.
- Write cos2θ=21(sin2θ+cos2θ)+21(cos2θ−sin2θ).
- So the integrand =21+21⋅sin2θ+cos2θcos2θ−sin2θ.
- Note dθd(sin2θ+cos2θ)=2cos2θ−2sin2θ=2(cos2θ−sin2θ), so the second term integrates to 21⋅21log∣sin2θ+cos2θ∣=41log(sin2θ+cos2θ).
- Total: ∫=21θ+41log(sin2θ+cos2θ)+c. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-FN1 markMCQQ.If ∫(4sinθ+cosθ)cotθcosθdθ=2θ+sin2θ+log(sinθ)+f(2θ)+c and f(0)=21, then f(x)= (A) 21cosx (B) 21sinx (C) 21sinxcosx (D) 2sin2x
›Reveal solutionSolution
Evaluating the integral shows f is a cosine; the only option satisfying f(0)=21 is f(x)=21cosx.
Simplify the integrand (cotθ=cosθ/sinθ):
(4sinθ+cosθ)cotθcosθ=(4sinθ+cosθ)sinθcos2θ=4cos2θ+sinθcos3θ.
Integrate term by term. First,
∫4cos2θdθ=∫(2+2cos2θ)dθ=2θ+sin2θ.
Second, with sinθcos3θ=cotθ−sinθcosθ,
∫sinθcos3θdθ=∫cotθdθ−∫sinθcosθdθ=log(sinθ)−2sin2θ.
So
∫(⋯)dθ=2θ+sin2θ+log(sinθ)−2sin2θ+c. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-AN1 markMCQQ.If ∫2sin2x+sin2xdx=21log∣f(x)∣+c and f(4π)=21, then f(x)= (A) 1+sinxsinx (B) 1+cosxcosx (C) 1+tanxtanx (D) 1+cotxcotx
›Reveal solutionSolution
Dividing the denominator by cos2x turns this into a rational integral in t=tanx; partial fractions give f(x)=1+tanxtanx, matching the given boundary condition at x=π/4.
Concept and Intuition
2sin2x+sin2x factors as 2sinx(sinx+cosx). Multiplying through by sec2x/sec2x converts everything into functions of tanx alone, since sinx(sinx+cosx)sec2x=tan2x+tanx — a purely algebraic (polynomial) expression in t=tanx, letting us integrate as a simple rational function.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write 2sin2x+sin2x=2sin2x+2sinxcosx=2sinx(sinx+cosx).
- Multiply numerator and denominator by sec2x: since sinx(sinx+cosx)sec2x=cos2xsin2x+cos2xsinxcosx=tan2x+tanx, we get
∫2sinx(sinx+cosx)dx=∫2(tan2x+tanx)sec2xdx.
- Let t=tanx, dt=sec2xdx: the integral becomes 21∫t(t+1)dt.
- Partial fractions: t(t+1)1=t1−t+11. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.∫1−x21+x2dx= (A) 23Sin−1x−2x1−x2+c (B) 23Sin−1x+2x1−x2+c (C) 43Sin−1x−2x21−x2+c (D) 32Sin−1x+2x21−x2+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Rewriting 1+x2 as 2−(1−x2) turns an awkward integral into a difference of two standard forms, giving 23sin−1x−2x1−x2+c.
Concept and Intuition
The integrand mixes 1 and x2 with a 1−x2 denominator. The trick is to notice that 1−x2 itself appears under the root, so rewriting the numerator in terms of (1−x2) converts the whole integral into two textbook-standard integrals: ∫1−x2dx=sin−1x and ∫1−x2dx=2x1−x2+21sin−1x.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write 1+x2=2−(1−x2).
- So ∫1−x21+x2dx=∫1−x22dx−∫1−x21−x2dx=2∫1−x2dx−∫1−x2dx.
- Use the standard results: ∫1−x2dx=sin−1x+c1 and ∫1−x2dx=2x1−x2+21sin−1x+c2. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.If ∫cot2x−tan2xcos8x+1dx=Acos8x+c, then A= (A) −161 (B) 161 (C) −81 (D) 81
›Reveal solutionSolution
Simplifying the trigonometric expression using double-angle identities collapses the integrand to 21sin8x, whose antiderivative directly gives A=−161.
Concept and Intuition
This problem looks intimidating because of the cot2x−tan2x combination, but that combination has a clean double-angle identity: cotθ−tanθ=2cot2θ. Combined with 1+cos8x=2cos24x, nearly everything cancels, leaving a single simple sine term to integrate.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Simplify the denominator: cot2x−tan2x=sin2xcos2x−cos2xsin2x=sin2xcos2xcos22x−sin22x=21sin4xcos4x=2cot4x.
- Simplify the numerator: cos8x+1=2cos24x (using cos2θ=2cos2θ−1 with θ=4x).
- So the integrand is 2cot4x2cos24x=cos24x⋅tan4x=cos4xsin4x.
- Use sinθcosθ=21sin2θ: cos4xsin4x=21sin8x. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.∫cos2x+sin2x+2sin2xdx= (A) −1+tanx1+c (B) −1+tanxtanx+c (C) −cotx+c (D) −tanx+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key trick is recognising that cos2x+2sin2x≡1, collapsing the denominator to 1+sin2x=(sinx+cosx)2, after which a tanx substitution finishes it. Answer: −1+tanx1+c.
Concept and Intuition
Many trig-integral MCQs hide a simplification of the denominator using a double-angle identity. Spotting cos2x=1−2sin2x instantly cancels the 2sin2x term here, and then 1+sin2x is a perfect square (sinx+cosx)2 — a very standard identity worth memorising.
Step-by-Step Solution
- cos2x+sin2x+2sin2x=(cos2x+2sin2x)+sin2x=1+sin2x (using cos2x=1−2sin2x).
- 1+sin2x=1+2sinxcosx=(sinx+cosx)2. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-FN1 markMCQQ.∫sin2x+3cosx−3sin2xdx= (A) 2logcosx−1cosx−2+c (B) log((cosx−1)4(cosx−2)2)+c (C) log(∣cosx−1∣(cosx−2)2)+c (D) log((cosx−1)2(cosx−2)4)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Factor the denominator using sin2x=1−cos2x, substitute u=cosx, and resolve the rational integrand by partial fractions. Answer: log((cosx−1)2(cosx−2)4)+c.
Concept and Intuition
The presence of sin2xdx=2sinxcosxdx alongside a denominator built purely from cosx (after using the Pythagorean identity) signals the substitution u=cosx: then du=−sinxdx turns the whole thing into a rational function of u, solvable by partial fractions.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Rewrite the denominator: sin2x+3cosx−3=(1−cos2x)+3cosx−3=−cos2x+3cosx−2=−(cos2x−3cosx+2).
- Factor the quadratic: cos2x−3cosx+2=(cosx−1)(cosx−2). So the denominator is −(cosx−1)(cosx−2).
- Let u=cosx⇒du=−sinxdx. Also sin2x=2sinxcosx=2usinx.
- Rewrite the integral:
∫−(u−1)(u−2)2usinxdx.
Since du=−sinxdx⇒sinxdx=−du:
∫−(u−1)(u−2)2u⋅(−du)=∫(u−1)(u−2)2udu.
- Partial fractions: (u−1)(u−2)2u=u−1A+u−2B. Then 2u=A(u−2)+B(u−1). At u=1: 2=−A⇒A=−2. At u=2: 4=B⇒B=4.
- Integrate: ∫(u−1−2+u−24)du=−2log∣u−1∣+4log∣u−2∣+c. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-FN1 markMCQQ.∫π/4π/3sin2xcosx−sinxdx= (A) 21log[3(3+22)(2−3)] (B) 21log[3(3−22)(2+3)] (C) log[3(3−22)(2−3)] (D) log[3(3+22)(2−3)]
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests splitting a trig rational integrand using sin2x=2sinxcosx into standard csc/sec integrals; the answer is (A).
Concept and Intuition
Whenever you see sin2x in a denominator paired with cosx−sinx in the numerator, it is almost always meant to be split via the double-angle identity into two elementary reciprocal-trig integrals, each of which has a well-known logarithmic antiderivative.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write sin2x=2sinxcosx, so
sin2xcosx−sinx=2sinxcosxcosx−sinx=21(sinx1−cosx1)=21(cscx−secx).
- Use the standard antiderivatives ∫cscxdx=−log∣cscx+cotx∣ and ∫secxdx=log∣secx+tanx∣. So
∫21(cscx−secx)dx=−21log[(cscx+cotx)(secx+tanx)]+C.
- At x=π/3: cscx+cotx=32+31=3, and secx+tanx=2+3. Product =3(2+3)=23+3.
- At x=π/4: cscx+cotx=2+1, and secx+tanx=2+1. Product =(2+1)2=3+22.
- So the definite integral =−21[log(23+3)−log(3+22)]=21log23+33+22. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-AN1 markMCQQ.∫0400π1−cos2xdx= (A) 1002 (B) 2002 (C) 4002 (D) 8002
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests the identity 1−cos2x=2sin2x combined with periodicity of ∣sinx∣ over a large interval. The integral equals 8002, option (D).
Concept and Intuition
1−cos2x simplifies via the double-angle identity to 2∣sinx∣ — the absolute value is essential because a square root is always non-negative, even though sinx itself oscillates in sign. Since ∣sinx∣ is periodic with period π (not 2π), a huge interval like [0,400π] is just many identical copies of one period, so we only need the integral over one period and multiply by the number of periods.
Step-by-Step Solution
- 1−cos2x=2sin2x⇒1−cos2x=2sin2x=2∣sinx∣.
- ∣sinx∣ has period π since ∣sin(x+π)∣=∣−sinx∣=∣sinx∣.
- On [0,π], sinx≥0, so ∫0π∣sinx∣dx=∫0πsinxdx=[−cosx]0π=2.
- The interval [0,400π] contains exactly 400 such periods, so ∫0400π∣sinx∣dx=400×2=800. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-FN1 markMCQQ.If x∈/[2nπ−4π,2nπ+43π] and n∈Z, then ∫1−sin2xdx= (A) −cosx+sinx+c (B) cosx+sinx+c (C) −cosx−sinx+c (D) cosx−sinx+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
On the given domain the radical equals −(sinx+cosx), whose integral is cosx−sinx+c.
Concept and Intuition
Write the radicand as a perfect square: 1+sin2x=(sinx+cosx)2, so 1+sin2x=∣sinx+cosx∣=2∣sin(x+4π)∣. This is zero at x=−4π+nπ, and sinx+cosx≥0 precisely on [2nπ−4π,2nπ+43π] — exactly the interval the problem excludes. Hence on the allowed domain sinx+cosx<0 and the modulus opens with a minus sign.
Step-by-Step Solution
- 1+sin2x=sin2x+cos2x+2sinxcosx=(sinx+cosx)2.
- So 1+sin2x=∣sinx+cosx∣.
- The excluded interval [2nπ−4π,2nπ+43π] is where sinx+cosx≥0; the allowed domain is where it is negative.
- Thus ∣sinx+cosx∣=−(sinx+cosx) on the domain.
- ∫−(sinx+cosx)dx=cosx−sinx+c.
Common Mistakes …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.∫sin4xcos4xdx= (A) 1281(−2sin3xcosx−3sinxcosx+3)+c (B) 2561(−2sin32xcos2x−3sin2xcos2x+6x)+c (C) 1281(2sin3xcosx−3sinxcosx+3x)+c (D) 2561(3sin3xcosx−2sinxcosx+2)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests reduction of sin4xcos4x via the double-angle substitution sinxcosx=21sin2x; the answer is (B).
Concept and Intuition
Products of even powers of sinx,cosx are attacked by writing sinxcosx=21sin2x first, which collapses the problem to a single power of sin(2x), and then a standard power-reduction formula finishes it.
Step-by-Step Solution
- sin4xcos4x=(sinxcosx)4=(2sin2x)4=161sin4(2x).
- Use sin4u=83−21cos2u+81cos4u with u=2x: sin4(2x)=83−21cos4x+81cos8x.
- So the integrand is 161(83−21cos4x+81cos8x). Integrating term by term:
∫sin4xcos4xdx=161(83x−8sin4x+64sin8x)+c=1283x−128sin4x+1024sin8x+c.
- Convert to functions of 2x: sin4x=2sin2xcos2x, and sin8x=2sin4xcos4x=4sin2xcos2x(1−2sin22x)=4sin2xcos2x−8sin3(2x)cos2x. …
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