Q.Evaluate the definite integral ∫0π/2cos2x+4sin2xcos2xdx
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Definite Substitution Method
Substitution in Definite Integrals
You already know substitution for indefinite integrals: set u=g(x), rewrite in terms of u, integrate, then substitute back. For a definite integral there is a cleaner twist — instead of substituting back, you convert the limits of integration to the new variable and finish entirely in u.
Why the limits must change
The limits a and b are x-values. Once you switch to u=g(x), those numbers no longer describe the start and end of the integration — the corresponding u-values do. Keeping the old numbers would integrate over the wrong interval, like reading a distance in kilometres off a scale marked in miles.
∫abf(g(x))g′(x)dx=∫g(a)g(b)f(u)du
The steps
- Choose u=g(x), picking something whose derivative already appears in the integrand.
- Differentiate: du=g′(x)dx.
- Convert the limits: the lower limit becomes u=g(a), the upper becomes u=g(b).
- Integrate in u — no substituting back needed.
Example. Evaluate ∫022x(x2+1)3dx.
Let u=x2+1, so du=2xdx. When x=0, u=1; when x=2, u=5. Then
∫02(x2+1)3(2xdx)=∫15u3du=[4u4]15=4625−1=156.
We never returned to x — the converted limits carried the work. …
The reflection trick x→2π−x does not work here (the denominator is not symmetric), so substitute t=tanx.
With t=tanx: cos2x=1+t21, sin2x=1+t2t2, dx=1+t2dt, and the integrand collapses to 1+4t21. Limits: 0→∞.
I=∫0∞(1+t2)(1+4t2)dt. …
Put t=tanx; the integral becomes ∫0∞(1+t2)(1+4t2)dt, which by partial fractions equals 6π.
Why not the reflection trick?
Replacing x→2π−x gives ∫0π/2sin2x+4cos2xsin2xdx. It is tempting to add this to I and cancel the numerators, but the two denominators, cos2x+4sin2x and sin2x+4cos2x, are different, so the integrands cannot be combined over a common denominator. That route is invalid here; a direct substitution is the honest path.
Substitute t=tanx
Divide numerator and denominator by cos2x:
cos2x+4sin2xcos2x=1+4tan2x1.
With t=tanx, dt=sec2xdx=(1+t2)dx, so dx=1+t2dt, and as x runs 0→2π, t runs 0→∞:
I=∫0∞1+4t21⋅1+t2dt=∫0∞(1+t2)(1+4t2)dt.
Partial fractions …
Method: t=tanx substitution turning a sin/cos ratio into a rational integral
Use this when the reflection (x→2π−x) trick fails because the two denominators differ — divide by cos2x and substitute t=tanx honestly.
Steps
Step 1: Check the reflection trick — and abandon it if denominators differ.
Adding I(x) and I(2π−x) only helps if the integrands share a denominator; here cos2x+4sin2x and its reflection are different, so combining them is invalid.
Step 2: Divide by cos2x and substitute. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Wrongly adding the reflected integral to cancel numerators.
Why it's wrong: the denominators cos2x+4sin2x and sin2x+4cos2x differ, so the two integrands cannot be combined; the reflection trick is invalid here. Correct approach: substitute t=tanx directly.
Mistake 2: Forgetting dx=1+t2dt.
Why it's wrong: with t=tanx, dt=sec2xdx=(1+t2)dx; omitting this drops a whole factor. Correct approach: replace dx properly. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 18 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-AN1 markMCQQ.If ∫03x(59−x2)dx=k31/k, then k= (A) 59 (B) 95 (C) 125 (D) 512
›Reveal solutionSolution
The substitution u=9−x2 turns the integral into a simple power integral equal to 125⋅312/5, which matches k⋅31/k exactly when k=5/12.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever the integrand contains x times a function of 9−x2, the substitution u=9−x2 (so du=−2xdx) removes the awkward fifth root and reduces the problem to integrating a pure power of u.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=9−x2⇒du=−2xdx⇒xdx=−2du. When x=0, u=9; when x=3, u=0.
- ∫03x(9−x2)1/5dx=∫90u1/5(−2du)=21∫09u1/5du
- 21[6/5u6/5]09=21⋅65⋅96/5=125⋅96/5
- Since 9=32, 96/5=312/5. So the integral equals 125⋅312/5. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.∫−14x+14−xdx= (A) 0 (B) 2π (C) 23π (D) 25π
›Reveal solutionSolution
This integral matches the standard result ∫abx−ab−xdx=2π(b−a), giving 25π.
Concept and Intuition
Integrals of the form ∫abx−ab−xdx arise often and have a clean closed form obtained via the substitution x=a+(b−a)sin2θ, which converts the square root into cotθ and the whole integral into ∫0π/2cos2θdθ.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Here a=−1, b=4 (matching x+14−x=x−ab−x).
- Substitute x=a+(b−a)sin2θ: then b−x=(b−a)cos2θ, x−a=(b−a)sin2θ, so x−ab−x=cotθ, and dx=2(b−a)sinθcosθdθ. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.∫π/6π/3cos−4xdx= (A) 9364 (B) 9523 (C) 9623 (D) 9344
›Reveal solutionSolution
cos−4x=sec4x integrates via the standard sec2x(1+tan2x) trick to tanx+tan3x/3; evaluating between π/6 and π/3 gives 9344.
Concept and Intuition
For odd powers of sec combined this way, peeling off one sec2x (to serve as du for u=tanx) and writing the rest in terms of tanx using sec2x=1+tan2x is the standard technique.
Step-by-Step Solution
- sec4x=sec2x⋅sec2x=sec2x(1+tan2x).
- With u=tanx, du=sec2xdx: ∫sec4xdx=∫(1+u2)du=u+3u3+c=tanx+3tan3x+c.
- At x=π/3: tanx=3, so value =3+333=3+3=23.
- At x=π/6: tanx=31, so value =31+3⋅331=31+931=939+1=9310. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-AN1 markMCQQ.∫1/51/2x3x−x2dx= (A) 221 (B) 314 (C) 37 (D) 27
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests factoring x−x2=x2(1/x−1) to expose a clean substitution t=1/x−1. The definite integral evaluates to 314, option (B).
Concept and Intuition
The integrand x3x−x2 looks like it needs a trig substitution for x−x2, but factoring out x2 from under the root — valid since x>0 on [1/5,1/2] — turns it into x21/x−1, a form whose derivative-friendly piece 1/x2dx is exactly what appears when differentiating 1/x. This makes t=1/x−1 the natural substitution.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Since x>0: x−x2=x2(x1−1)=xx1−1.
- So the integrand is x3x1/x−1=x21/x−1.
- Let t=x1−1; then dt=−x21dx, i.e. x2dx=−dt.
- The integral becomes ∫t(−dt)=−32t3/2+c.
- Limits: at x=51, t=5−1=4; at x=21, t=2−1=1. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-24-FN1 markMCQQ.∫02x8(x24−1)5/2dx= (A) 63215 (B) 315216 (C) 189216 (D) 63210
›Reveal solutionSolution
Simplify the fractional-power term algebraically first (removing the ugly 5/2 power on a fraction), then a plain u=4−x2 substitution gives 63210.
Concept and Intuition
A term like (x24−1)5/2 looks like it needs a trig substitution, but multiplying it out against the accompanying x8 first often collapses the whole thing into a much simpler polynomial-times-power form that a basic u-substitution can handle — always simplify algebraically before reaching for a substitution.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Rewrite the bracket: x24−1=x24−x2, so
x8(x24−x2)5/2=x8⋅(x2)5/2(4−x2)5/2=x8⋅x5(4−x2)5/2=x3(4−x2)5/2.
- The integral becomes I=∫02x3(4−x2)5/2dx.
- Substitute u=4−x2, so du=−2xdx and x2=4−u. Write x3dx=x2(xdx)=(4−u)(−2du).
- Limits: x=0⇒u=4; x=2⇒u=0. So
I=∫u=40(4−u)u5/2(−21)du=21∫04(4−u)u5/2du.
- Expand: I=21[4∫04u5/2du−∫04u7/2du].
- ∫04u5/2du=72u7/204=72⋅47/2=72⋅128=7256 (using 47/2=(22)7/2=27=128). …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-20-FN1 markMCQQ.∫1/5311/52425x30+x251dx= (A) 465 (B) 4−75 (C) 475 (D) 4−65
›Reveal solutionSolution
Factor out the highest power of x inside the fifth root to expose a clean substitution w=1+x−5, then evaluate at the given nasty-looking but designed-to-simplify limits.
Concept and Intuition
The limits 31−1/5 and 242−1/5 look intimidating, but they're chosen precisely so that 1+x−5 becomes the perfect fifth powers 32=25 and 243=35 at the two ends — a strong hint to substitute w=1+x−5.
Step-by-Step Solution
- x30+x25=x25(x5+1), so (x30+x25)1/5=x5(x5+1)1/5=x5⋅x(1+x−5)1/5=x6(1+x−5)1/5 (for x>0).
- So the integrand is x6(1+x−5)1/51=x−6(1+x−5)−1/5.
- Let w=1+x−5, so dw=−5x−6dx⇒x−6dx=−5dw.
- ∫x−6(1+x−5)−1/5dx=−51∫w−1/5dw=−51⋅4/5w4/5+c=−41w4/5+c.
- Lower limit x1=31−1/5⇒x1−5=31⇒w1=32=25⇒w14/5=24=16. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-20-AN1 markMCQQ.∫0π/21+tanx1dx= (A) 0 (B) 2π (C) 3π (D) 4π
›Reveal solutionSolution
The classic King's-rule trick (x→a−x) makes the integrand add to 1; the integral evaluates to 4π — (D).
Concept and Intuition
For ∫0af(x)dx, substituting x→a−x gives an equal integral ∫0af(a−x)dx. When f(x)+f(a−x) simplifies to a constant, adding the two versions of the integral collapses everything to a trivial computation.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let I=∫0π/21+tanxdx.
- By the property ∫0af(x)dx=∫0af(a−x)dx: I=∫0π/21+tan(π/2−x)dx=∫0π/21+cotxdx.
- Simplify: 1+cotx1=1+1/tanx1=tanx+1tanx. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-AN1 markMCQQ.∫01(1−x)3/4xdx= (A) 54 (B) 158 (C) 514 (D) 516
›Reveal solutionSolution
With u=1−x, the integral becomes ∫01(u−3/4−u1/4)du=516.
Concept and Intuition
Integrals of the form ∫xm(1−x)ndx over [0,1] are cleanly handled by substituting u=1−x so the fractional power becomes a simple power of u.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=1−x⇒x=1−u, dx=−du; limits x:0→1 becomes u:1→0.
- ∫01(1−x)3/4xdx=∫01u3/41−udu=∫01(u−3/4−u1/4)du.
- =[4u1/4−54u5/4]01=4−54=516.
Common Mistakes …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.∫012−x2+xdx= (A) π+2 (B) 21(π+2) (C) 2π+2+3 (D) 3π+2−3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Splitting the integrand as 4−x22+x into two standard forms gives 3π+2−3, option (D).
Concept and Intuition
Multiplying numerator and denominator by 2+x turns the awkward square root of a ratio into 4−x22+x, which splits cleanly into an arcsine-type term and a simple power-rule term.
Step-by-Step Solution
- 2−x2+x=(2−x)(2+x)2+x=4−x22+x.
- Split: ∫014−x22dx+∫014−x2xdx.
- First integral: 2[arcsin2x]01=2arcsin21=2⋅6π=3π.
- Second integral: [−4−x2]01=−3−(−2)=2−3. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-17-AN1 markMCQQ.If 5f(x)+3f(x1)=2−x1, x=0, then ∫12f(x1)dx= (A) 326log2−7 (B) 326log2−17 (C) 326log2−1 (D) 166log2−7
›Reveal solutionSolution
Replacing x by 1/x in the functional equation gives a second equation; solving the linear system for f(1/x) and integrating over [1,2] gives 326log2−7.
Concept and Intuition
A functional equation relating f(x) and f(1/x) is solved by generating a second equation (via the substitution x→1/x) and treating f(x),f(1/x) as two unknowns in a linear system.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given: 5f(x)+3f(1/x)=2−1/x … (1)
- Replace x→1/x: 5f(1/x)+3f(x)=2−x … (2)
- Compute 5×(1)−3×(2): wait — instead eliminate f(x): multiply (1) by 3 and (2) by 5: 15f(x)+9f(1/x)=6−3/x and 15f(x)+25f(1/x)=10−5x.
- Subtract: 16f(1/x)=4−5x+3/x⇒f(1/x)=164−5x+3/x.
- ∫12f(1/x)dx=161∫12(4−5x+x3)dx. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.∫1/253x2e3/xdx= (A) −31(e75−e) (B) 31(e50−e25) (C) −31(e50−e) (D) 31(e75−e)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The substitution u=3/x converts the awkward e3/x/x2 integrand into a plain exponential, evaluating to 31(e75−e).
Concept and Intuition
Whenever you see eg(x)⋅g′(x)-like structure — here x21 is (up to a constant) the derivative of 3/x — substituting u=3/x turns the whole integral into ∫eudu, the simplest possible exponential integral.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=x3. Then dxdu=−x23, so x2dx=−3du.
- Change the limits: at x=251, u=3⋅25=75; at x=3, u=3/3=1.
- The integral becomes ∫x=1/253x2e3/xdx=∫u=751eu(−31)du=−31∫751eudu.
- Flip the limits (introducing a sign change): −31∫751eudu=31∫175eudu. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-05-FN1 markMCQQ.Let T>0 be a fixed number. f:R→R is a continuous function such that f(x+T)=f(x) ∀x∈R. If I=∫0Tf(x)dx, then ∫05Tf(2x)dx= (A) 10I (B) 25I (C) 5I (D) 2I
›Reveal solutionSolution
A substitution u=2x turns the integral into one over 10 full periods of f, giving 5I.
Concept and Intuition
If f is periodic with period T, the integral of f over any interval of length nT (a whole number of periods) equals n times the integral over one period. Stretching the variable via u=2x effectively doubles the length of the interval in u-space.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=2x⇒du=2dx⇒dx=2du. When x=0, u=0; when x=5T, u=10T.
- ∫05Tf(2x)dx=∫010Tf(u)⋅2du=21∫010Tf(u)du. …
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