Q.Integrate the function sin3xsin(x+α)1
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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)∣ …
The key idea is to rewrite the product inside the square root using the sine addition formula, then simplify with a substitution.
First, expand sin(x+α)=sinxcosα+cosxsinα. The integrand becomes:
sin3x(sinxcosα+cosxsinα)1=sin4xcosα+sin3xcosxsinα1
Factor sin4x out of the square root:
sin2xcosα+cotxsinα1
Now use the substitution t=cotx, so dt=−csc2xdx=−sin2x1dx. The integral becomes:
∫sin2xcosα+tsinα1dx=−∫cosα+tsinαdt
This is a standard power integral. Integrate:
−∫(cosα+tsinα)−1/2dt=−sinα2cosα+tsinα+C
Substitute back t=cotx: …
The key idea is to rewrite the integrand using the sine addition formula so that the expression simplifies to a form involving cotx, then use the substitution t=cotx to reduce the integral to a standard form. The final result is −2cosecαsin(x+α)/sinx+C.
Why U Substitution Works Here
When you see an integrand with sin3x and sin(x+α), your first instinct might be to expand sin(x+α) using the addition formula. That’s exactly what we need — but the trick is to notice that the product sin3x⋅sin(x+α) can be rewritten in a way that reveals a hidden derivative.
The expression sin3xsin(x+α)1 looks messy, but if we factor out sin4x from the product inside the square root, we get something like sin2xsin(x+α)/sinx. That ratio sinxsin(x+α) simplifies to cosα+cotxsinα, which is a linear function of cotx. And the derivative of cotx is −csc2x, which appears naturally when we manipulate the integrand.
So the plan is: rewrite the integrand so that it becomes a function of cotx times −csc2x, then substitute t=cotx.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Rewrite the integrand using the sine addition formula
sin(x+α)=sinxcosα+cosxsinα
Therefore,
sin3x⋅sin(x+α)=sin3x(sinxcosα+cosxsinα)=sin4xcosα+sin3xcosxsinα
- Factor sin4x out of the square root
sin3xsin(x+α)=sin4x(cosα+sinxcosxsinα)=sin2xcosα+cotxsinα
So the integrand becomes:
sin3xsin(x+α)1=sin2xcosα+cotxsinα1
- Express in terms of cotx Recall that csc2x=1+cot2x, but more importantly, sin2x1=csc2x. So:
sin2xcosα+cotxsinα1=cosα+cotxsinαcsc2x
- Set up the substitution Let t=cotx. Then dt=−csc2xdx, so csc2xdx=−dt. The integrand becomes:
cosα+tsinαcsc2xdx=cosα+tsinα−dt
- Integrate with respect to t The integral is now:
∫cosα+tsinα−dt
This is a standard power integral. Let u=cosα+tsinα, then du=sinαdt, so dt=sinαdu. But it’s easier to directly integrate:
∫A+Bt−dt=−B2A+Bt+C
where A=cosα and B=sinα. Thus: …
Method: Factor sin4x out of the radical to expose a cotx substitution
Use this for integrands like sin3xsin(x+α)1: expanding the shifted sine and factoring a power of sinx turns everything into a function of cotx times csc2x.
Steps
Step 1: Expand the shifted sine.
sin(x+α)=sinxcosα+cosxsinα, so sin3xsin(x+α)=sin4x(cosα+cotxsinα).
Step 2: Pull sin4x out of the root. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Not factoring sin4x out of the radical.
Why it's wrong: without writing sin3xsin(x+α)=sin2xcosα+cotxsinα, the cotx substitution never appears. Correct approach: expand sin(x+α) and factor sin4x.
Mistake 2: Dropping the minus from d(cotx)=−csc2xdx.
Why it's wrong: it flips the sign of the final result. Correct approach: substitute csc2xdx=−dt. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 51 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-20-AN1 markMCQQ.∫sin3xcos(x−α)dx= (A) cosα1cotx+tanα+c (B) cosα1cotx−tanα+c (C) sinα−1cotx+tanα+c (D) cosα−2cotx+tanα+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Expanding cos(x−α) and substituting u=cotx reduces this to a simple square-root integral; final answer is (D).
Concept and Intuition
The key move is expanding cos(x−α) and factoring out sin4x from inside the square root so that a substitution u=cotx (whose differential is −csc2xdx, conveniently matching what's left outside) linearizes the whole thing.
Step-by-Step Solution
- cos(x−α)=cosxcosα+sinxsinα.
- sin3xcos(x−α)=sin3xcosxcosα+sin4xsinα=sin4x(sinxcosxcosα+sinα)=sin4x(cotxcosα+sinα).
- So sin3xcos(x−α)=sin2xcotxcosα+sinα (taking sin2x>0 outside the root).
- The integral is ∫sin2xcosαcotx+sinαdx=∫cosαcotx+sinαcsc2xdx.
- Let u=cotx, du=−csc2xdx. Integral becomes −∫cosαu+sinαdu=−cosα2cosαu+sinα+c. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-10-05-FN1 markMCQQ.∫sin3xsinxdx= (A) 231log3−tanx3+tanx+c (B) 231log3+tanx3−tanx+c (C) 431log3−tanx3+tanx+c (D) 431log3+tanx3−tanx+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the triple-angle identity to cancel sinx, rewrite in terms of cos2x, then apply the Weierstrass-type substitution t=tanx to reduce to a standard rational integral. The answer is (A).
Concept and Intuition
sin3x factors as sinx(3−4sin2x), so sinx cancels immediately with the numerator, turning a trigonometric-looking integral into a much simpler one in sin2x (hence in cos2x), which is a textbook target for the t=tanx substitution.
Step-by-Step Solution
- sin3x=3sinx−4sin3x=sinx(3−4sin2x).
- sin3xsinx=3−4sin2x1.
- Using sin2x=21−cos2x: 4sin2x=2−2cos2x, so 3−4sin2x=1+2cos2x.
- Integral becomes ∫1+2cos2xdx.
- Substitute t=tanx, dx=1+t2dt, cos2x=1+t21−t2: 1+2cos2x=1+t2(1+t2)+2(1−t2)=1+t23−t2.
- Integral =∫3−t21+t2⋅1+t2dt=∫3−t2dt. …
- 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 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.∫(1+sinx)4cos3xdx= (A) −5(1+sinx)5cos4x+c (B) 5(1+sinx)5cos4x+c (C) 4(1+sinx)4cos4x+c (D) −4(1+sinx)4cos4x+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Factor cos3x using cos2x=(1−sinx)(1+sinx) and substitute t=sinx; the resulting antiderivative can equivalently be written in the cos4x/(1+sinx)4 form given in the options (they differ only by an added constant). Answer: −4(1+sinx)4cos4x+c.
Concept and Intuition
Integrals of cosoddx over powers of (1+sinx) are handled by peeling off one factor of cosx to pair with dx (making d(sinx)) and expressing the remaining even power of cosx in terms of sinx. Since the MCQ options are phrased in terms of cos4x rather than sinx directly, it is often faster (and safer against sign traps) to guess-and-check an antiderivative of that shape by differentiating a general form Acos4x(1+sinx)−n and matching powers/coefficients — this is exactly how the printed option is confirmed.
Step-by-Step Solution
- cos3x=cosx⋅cos2x=cosx(1−sin2x)=cosx(1−sinx)(1+sinx).
- Integrand =(1+sinx)4cosx(1−sinx)(1+sinx)=(1+sinx)3cosx(1−sinx).
- Let t=sinx, dt=cosxdx: I=∫(1+t)31−tdt. Writing 1−t=2−(1+t): I=∫((1+t)32−(1+t)21)dt=−(1+t)21+1+t1+c=(1+t)2t+c.
- So I=(1+sinx)2sinx+c is one valid closed form. …
- 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 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 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-FN1 markMCQQ.If ∫sin3x+cos3xdx=Alog2−t2+t+BTan−1(t)+c, then (AB,t)= (A) (32,sinx−cosx) (B) (22,sinx−cosx) (C) (32,sinx−cosx) (D) (23,sinx+cosx)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The standard sin3x+cos3x integral, solved via the substitution t=sinx−cosx; matching to the given Alog∣⋯∣+Btan−1t form gives B/A=22 with t=sinx−cosx.
Concept and Intuition
sin3x+cos3x factors as a sum of cubes, (sinx+cosx)(sin2x−sinxcosx+cos2x)=(sinx+cosx)(1−sinxcosx). Both remaining factors can be expressed in terms of t=sinx−cosx (since t2=1−2sinxcosx links sinxcosx to t, and dt=(sinx+cosx)dx conveniently cancels the other factor).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Factor: sin3x+cos3x=(sinx+cosx)(1−sinxcosx).
- Let t=sinx−cosx⇒dt=(cosx+sinx)dx, and t2=1−2sinxcosx⇒sinxcosx=21−t2.
- So 1−sinxcosx=1−21−t2=21+t2.
- Also (sinx+cosx)2=1+2sinxcosx=1+(1−t2)=2−t2, so sinx+cosx=2−t2.
- Rewrite the integral:
∫(sinx+cosx)(1−sinxcosx)dx=∫2−t2⋅21+t2dx.
Since dx=sinx+cosxdt=2−t2dt:
=∫2−t2⋅21+t21⋅2−t2dt=∫(2−t2)(1+t2)2dt.
- Split using 1=3(2−t2)+(1+t2):
(2−t2)(1+t2)2=32⋅(2−t2)(1+t2)(2−t2)+(1+t2)=32[1+t21+2−t21].
- Integrate each piece: ∫1+t2dt=tan−1t; ∫2−t2dt=221log2−t2+t (standard form ∫a2−x2dx=2a1loga−xa+x with a=2).
- So the integral is …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.∫10+sin2xcosx−sinxdx= (A) 21log(10+sin2x)+c (B) 31log(10+sin2x)+c (C) 31Tan−1(3sinx+cosx)+c (D) 31Tan−1(10+sin2x)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
The numerator cosx−sinx is exactly d(sinx+cosx), and the denominator rewrites in terms of u=sinx+cosx via sin2x=u2−1. That collapses the integral to a standard ∫du/(a2+u2) arctangent form. Answer: 31Tan−1(3sinx+cosx)+c.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever an integrand contains both sinx−cosx (or cosx−sinx) and sin2x, it is worth trying u=sinx+cosx (or sinx−cosx) as the substitution, because u2=1±sin2x links the two.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=sinx+cosx. Then du=(cosx−sinx)dx — this is exactly the numerator times dx.
- Also u2=sin2x+cos2x+2sinxcosx=1+sin2x, so sin2x=u2−1.
- Denominator: 10+sin2x=10+u2−1=9+u2.
- The integral becomes ∫9+u2du=31Tan−1(3u)+c. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-AN1 markMCQQ.If ∫sin3x+cos3x1dx=Alog2−t2+t+BTan−1(t)+c, then (AB,t)= (A) (22,sinx+cosx) (B) (92,sinx+cosx) (C) (92,sinx−cosx) (D) (22,sinx−cosx)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Factoring the sum of cubes and substituting t=sinx−cosx turns the trigonometric integral into a clean rational-function integral in t, giving B/A=22 with t=sinx−cosx.
Concept and Intuition
sin3x+cos3x factors as a sum of cubes: (sinx+cosx)(1−sinxcosx). Both sinx+cosx and 1−sinxcosx can be written purely in terms of u=sinx−cosx, because (sinx+cosx)2+(sinx−cosx)2=2 and 1−sinxcosx=21+(sinx−cosx)2. Crucially, dxdu=cosx+sinx, which is exactly the factor left over after using the second identity — so the whole integral collapses into a rational function of u alone.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Factor: sin3x+cos3x=(sinx+cosx)(1−sinxcosx).
- Let u=sinx−cosx. Then u2=1−2sinxcosx, so 1−sinxcosx=21+u2.
- Also (sinx+cosx)2=1+2sinxcosx=2−u2, so sinx+cosx=2−u2 (taking the appropriate branch), and dxdu=cosx+sinx=2−u2.
- So sin3x+cos3x=2−u2⋅21+u2, and
I=∫sin3x+cos3xdx=∫2−u2(1+u2)2dx=∫2−u2(1+u2)2⋅2−u2du=∫(2−u2)(1+u2)2du.
- Partial fractions (by symmetry, only even terms survive): (2−u2)(1+u2)2=2−u22/3+1+u22/3. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.∫cos6x+sin6xsin2xcos2xdx= (A) 21Tan−1(tan2x)+c (B) 31Tan−1(tan2x)+c (C) 31Tan−1(tan3x)+c (D) Tan−1(tan3x)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Dividing through by cos6x to introduce tanx, then a double substitution (t=tanx, then u=t3), reduces the integral to a standard arctangent form, giving 31Tan−1(tan3x)+c.
Concept and Intuition
When an integrand has sin and cos appearing only in even powers that can be grouped, dividing everything by the highest power of cosx converts the whole expression into a rational function purely of tanx — a very common trick that opens the door to the substitution t=tanx. Here, since the denominator naturally forms 1+tan6x, a further substitution u=t3 turns it into the standard ∫1+u2du arctangent integral.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Divide numerator and denominator of cos6x+sin6xsin2xcos2x by cos6x: numerator becomes cos6xsin2xcos2x=cos4xsin2x=tan2xsec2x; denominator becomes 1+tan6x.
- The integral is now ∫1+tan6xtan2xsec2xdx.
- Substitute t=tanx, so dt=sec2xdx. The integral becomes ∫1+t6t2dt.
- Substitute u=t3, so du=3t2dt, i.e. t2dt=3du. The integral becomes 31∫1+u2du. …
- 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 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.If ∫sin2x+sin4xcos3xdx=c−cosecx−f(x), then f(2π)= (A) 1 (B) 0 (C) 2π (D) π
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting s=sinx and partial-fractioning gives −cosecx−2Tan−1(sinx), so f(x)=2Tan−1(sinx) and f(π/2)=π/2.
Concept and Intuition
Writing cos3xdx=cos2x⋅cosxdx=(1−sin2x)d(sinx) converts a trig integral into an algebraic one in s=sinx, which is then handled by ordinary partial fractions.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let s=sinx, so ds=cosxdx, and cos3xdx=(1−s2)ds.
- The integral becomes ∫s2+s41−s2ds=∫s2(1+s2)1−s2ds.
- Partial fractions (in u=s2): u(1+u)1−u=u1−1+u2, so the integrand is s21−1+s22.
- Integrating: ∫(s21−1+s22)ds=−s1−2Tan−1s+C=−cosecx−2Tan−1(sinx)+C. …
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