Q.Find ∫cos6x1+sin6xdx
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)∣
If stuck, differentiate a candidate "inside" function in your head. If its derivative (up to a constant) appears, that's your u.
The Definite Integral Case
Either change the limits (when x=a, u=g(a); when x=b, u=g(b); then integrate in u), or integrate in u, substitute back, and use the original limits. Changing limits is cleaner:
∫x=0x=12xcos(x2)dx=∫u=0u=1cos(u)du=sin(1)−sin(0)=sin(1)
Common Mistake to Avoid
Don't confuse du with Δu. du is a differential — the exact relationship du=g′(x)dx that holds inside the integral. Treat it algebraically: multiply, divide, and substitute freely.
U-substitution, taught in the CBSE Class 12 Integrals chapter as the method of substitution, is one of the very first integration techniques students learn after the standard formulas, and "integration by substitution class 12 examples" is a heavily searched revision topic. It remains equally essential for solving integral calculus problems in JEE Main and JEE Advanced.
Concept: U Substitution — we set u equal to the expression inside the square root because its derivative is a constant multiple of cos6x.
Let u=1+sin6x. Then
dxdu=6cos6x, so cos6xdx=6du.
The integral becomes
∫u⋅6du=61∫u1/2du.
Integrate:
61⋅3/2u3/2=61⋅32u3/2=91u3/2.
Substitute back u=1+sin6x and add the constant of integration.
The value is 91(1+sin6x)3/2+C.
Use the substitution u=1+sin6x to simplify the square root. The integral becomes 91(1+sin6x)3/2+C.
The key to this problem is noticing that the derivative of sin6x is 6cos6x, which is almost exactly the other factor in the integrand. That’s a perfect setup for u-substitution — we let the expression inside the square root be u, so that its derivative handles the cos6x term.
Let’s walk through it.
- Choose the substitution. The square root 1+sin6x is the complicated part. Set
u=1+sin6x.
Then differentiate:
dxdu=6cos6x⇒du=6cos6xdx.
- Rewrite the integral in terms of u. The original integral is ∫cos6x1+sin6xdx. We have 1+sin6x=u, and cos6xdx=6du. So the integral becomes:
∫u⋅6du=61∫u1/2du.
- Integrate with respect to u. Using the power rule:
61⋅3/2u3/2=61⋅32u3/2=91u3/2.
- Substitute back. Replace u with 1+sin6x:
91(1+sin6x)3/2+C.
A common mistake is forgetting the factor of 6 from the chain rule when differentiating sin6x. If you write du=cos6xdx, you’ll be off by a factor of 6 — always check the derivative carefully.
You can verify your answer by differentiating it. The derivative of 91(1+sin6x)3/2 is 91⋅23(1+sin6x)1/2⋅6cos6x=cos6x1+sin6x, which matches the integrand.
The integral evaluates to 91(1+sin6x)3/2+C.
Method: u-substitution — spotting a function beside its own derivative
Use this whenever the integrand is (a function of an inner expression) × (a constant multiple of that inner expression's derivative) — the classic reverse-chain-rule setup.
Steps
Step 1: Identify the inner function u.
Look for the "messy" inner piece — here the quantity under the root. Set u equal to it. A good sign you have picked the right u: differentiating it reproduces the other factor in the integrand up to a constant.
Step 2: Differentiate to get du, and solve for the factor you need.
u=g(x)⇒du=g′(x)dx.
Because differentiating a bracketed argument brings out a chain-rule constant, express the leftover factor times dx as a multiple of du (e.g. cos6xdx=6du).
Step 3: Rewrite the whole integral in u and integrate.
Every x and dx must disappear. You are left with a simple power (or standard form) in u, integrated by the power rule ∫undu=n+1un+1+C.
Step 4: Substitute back and (optionally) verify.
Replace u by g(x) and add +C. Differentiate your answer mentally to confirm it reproduces the original integrand — the chain-rule constant must come back out correctly.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Forgetting the chain-rule constant when forming du.
Why it's wrong: dxdsin6x=6cos6x, not cos6x, so du=6cos6xdx and cos6xdx=6du. Dropping the 6 makes the final coefficient wrong (you'd get 61 instead of 91). Correct approach: always differentiate the full inner function including its inner coefficient.
Mistake 2: Mishandling the power rule on u1/2.
Why it's wrong: ∫u1/2du=3/2u3/2=32u3/2; students often write 21u3/2 or u3/2. Correct approach: add 1 to the exponent and divide by the new exponent 23.
Mistake 3: Omitting the constant of integration.
Why it's wrong: this is an indefinite integral, so +C is part of the answer. Correct approach: always append +C after back-substituting.
Showing the 12 most recent of 44 on this concept.
- CBSE 2020Set 65/1/11 markQ.Find : ∫9−4x2dx
›Reveal solutionSolution
The integral ∫9−4x2dx is a standard inverse sine form. By rewriting the denominator as 4(49−x2) and using substitution u=2x, we get the result 21sin−1(32x)+C.
When you see a square root with a constant minus a square term, your mind should immediately jump to the inverse trigonometric integrals. The classic formula is:
∫a2−u2du=sin−1(au)+C
Our job is to force the given integral into this exact shape. The denominator is 9−4x2. Notice that 9=32, so we have a=3 in the formula. But the 4x2 term is not a pure u2 — it has a coefficient 4. That’s the only obstacle.
The key insight: Factor out the 4 from inside the square root. Write:
9−4x2=4(49−x2)=249−x2
Now the integral becomes:
∫249−x2dx=21∫(23)2−x2dx
This is exactly the inverse sine form with a=23 and u=x. So:
21sin−1(3/2x)+C=21sin−1(32x)+C
That’s the answer. But let’s walk through it step by step with a substitution to make it foolproof.
-
Identify the target form. We want ∫a2−u2du. Here, the denominator has 9−4x2. Compare with a2−u2: we need a2=9 and u2=4x2. So set u=2x. Then du=2dx, so dx=2du.
-
Substitute. The integral becomes:
∫9−4x2dx=∫9−u2du/2=21∫9−u2du
- Apply the standard formula. With a=3:
21sin−1(3u)+C
- Back-substitute u=2x:
21sin−1(32x)+C
Watch outA common mistake is to forget the factor from the substitution. If you set u=2x, you must also replace dx with du/2. Skipping that step gives the wrong coefficient. Also, note that 9−4x2 is not the same as 9−(2x)2 — it is exactly that, but the substitution handles it cleanly.
TipYou can also factor directly: 9−4x2=249−x2 and then use a=3/2 without an explicit substitution. Both methods are equivalent; choose whichever feels more natural.
✓Final answerThe value is 21sin−1(32x)+C.
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- CBSE 2020Set 65/1/11 markQ.Evaluate: ∫x4logxdx(OR)Evaluate: ∫3x2+12xdx
›Reveal solutionSolution
- ∫x4logxdx=5x5logx−25x5+C.
- ∫3x2+12xdx=23(x2+1)2/3+C.
Part (a)
Use integration by parts, ∫udv=uv−∫vdu, choosing u=logx (differentiates simply) and dv=x4dx, so du=x1dx and v=5x5:
∫x4logxdx=5x5logx−∫5x5⋅x1dx=5x5logx−51∫x4dx.
=5x5logx−51⋅5x5+C=5x5logx−25x5+C.
✓Final answer∫x4logxdx=5x5logx−25x5+C.
Part (b)
Substitute u=x2+1, so du=2xdx — exactly the numerator:
∫3x2+12xdx=∫u1/3du=∫u−1/3du=2/3u2/3+C=23u2/3+C.
Back-substitute u=x2+1:
=23(x2+1)2/3+C.
✓Final answer∫3x2+12xdx=23(x2+1)2/3+C.
- CBSE 2026Set 65/1/11 markMCQQ.If ∫b2+c2x23axdx=Alog∣b2+c2x2∣+K, then the value of A is: (A) 3a (B) 2b23a (C) b2c23a (D) 2c23a
›Reveal solutionSolution
The integral fits the pattern ∫udu=log∣u∣+C after a substitution. The constant A turns out to be 2c23a, which corresponds to option (D).
The problem gives you the result of an integral and asks you to identify the constant A that makes the equation true. This is a classic "match the form" question — you don't need to guess; you just need to perform the integration carefully and compare.
The key insight is that the integrand b2+c2x23ax is a rational function where the numerator is almost the derivative of the denominator. The derivative of b2+c2x2 is 2c2x. Our numerator is 3ax, which is a constant multiple of x. So a simple substitution u=b2+c2x2 will turn the integral into ∫udu.
Let's work through it step by step.
-
Set up the substitution.
Let u=b2+c2x2. Then du=2c2xdx, so xdx=2c2du.
-
Rewrite the integral in terms of u.
The integral is ∫b2+c2x23axdx=∫u3a⋅(xdx).
Substitute xdx=2c2du:
∫u3a⋅2c2du=2c23a∫udu.
- Integrate. ∫udu=log∣u∣+C, so
2c23alog∣u∣+C=2c23alog∣b2+c2x2∣+K,
where K is the constant of integration (we renamed C to K to match the problem).
- Compare with the given form. The problem states that the integral equals Alog∣b2+c2x2∣+K. Matching coefficients, we see
A=2c23a.
Watch outA common mistake is to forget the factor from du — specifically, that xdx becomes 2c2du, not just du. If you skip that, you might get 3a or something like 2b23a, which are wrong. Always check the derivative of your substitution.
TipNotice that the constants b2 and c2 appear in the denominator, but b2 disappears from the final A because it's part of the constant term inside the log — it doesn't affect the coefficient. Only c2 matters because it comes from the derivative.
✓Final answerThe value of A is 2c23a, which corresponds to option (D).
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- CBSE 2026Set CX1 markQ.Find the value of the integral ∫x2tan(x3+2)dx.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitute u=x3+2; the integral becomes 31∫tanudu=31ln∣sec(x3+2)∣+C.
Concept: The factor x2 is (up to a constant) the derivative of the inner function x3+2, so substitution works.
Let u=x3+2⇒du=3x2dx⇒x2dx=3du.
∫x2tan(x3+2)dx=31∫tanudu=31ln∣secu∣+C.
Replacing u:
=31lnsec(x3+2)+C.
✓Final answer∫x2tan(x3+2)dx=31lnsec(x3+2)+C.
- CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQQ.∫1−x2tan(sin−1x)dx=(a) log∣sec(sin−1x)∣+k(b) log∣cos(sin−1x)∣+k(c) tan(sin−1x)+k(d) log∣sin−1x∣+k
›Reveal solutionSolution
With u=sin−1x (so du=1−x2dx) the integral is ∫tanudu=log∣secu∣+k.
Let u=sin−1x. Then du=1−x2dx, so
∫1−x2tan(sin−1x)dx=∫tanudu=log∣secu∣+k=log∣sec(sin−1x)∣+k.
✓Final answer(A) log∣sec(sin−1x)∣+k.
- CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQQ.∫ex+e−xdx=(a) cot−1(ex)+k(b) tan−1(ex)+k(c) log∣ex+1∣+k(d) sin−1(ex)+k
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitute t=ex: ∫ex+e−xdx=∫1+t2dt=tan−1(ex)+k.
Multiply numerator and denominator by ex:
ex+e−x1=e2x+1ex.
Let t=ex, dt=exdx. Then
∫e2x+1exdx=∫t2+1dt=tan−1t+k=tan−1(ex)+k.
✓Final answer(B) tan−1(ex)+k.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.∫sin(2x+3)dx=(a) cos(2x+3)+C(b) −2cos(2x+3)+C(c) tan2x+C(d) None of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
∫sin(ax+b)dx=−acos(ax+b)+C.
With a=2,b=3: ∫sin(2x+3)dx=−2cos(2x+3)+C.
✓Final answer(b) −2cos(2x+3)+C.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.∫1ex(logx)2dx=(a) 31e3(b) 31(e3−1)(c) 31(d) None of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitute u=logx, du=dx/x, converting the limits from x=1,e to u=0,1.
Let u=logx⇒du=xdx. When x=1,u=0; when x=e,u=1.
∫1ex(logx)2dx=∫01u2du=[3u3]01=31.
✓Final answer(c) 31.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.∫x(1+logx)1dx is equal to:(a) x+logx+c(b) ∣x+logx∣+c(c) log∣1+logx∣+c(d) log(1+x)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitute u=1+logx so du=xdx, turning the integral into ∫udu.
I=∫x(1+logx)1dx
Let u=1+logx⇒du=x1dx.
I=∫udu=log∣u∣+c=log∣1+logx∣+c
✓Final answerOption (c): log∣1+logx∣+c
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.∫cos8xsin6xdx is equal to:
›Reveal solutionSolution
Rewrite the integrand as tan6xsec2x and substitute t=tanx.
I=∫cos8xsin6xdx=∫cos6xsin6x⋅cos2x1dx=∫tan6xsec2xdx
Let t=tanx⇒dt=sec2xdx.
I=∫t6dt=7t7+c=7tan7x+c
✓Final answer7tan7x+c
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.\int x^2 e^{x^3} dx equals:(a)(i) \frac{e^{x^3}}{3} + c(b)(ii) 3e^{x^3} + c(c)(iii) \frac{e^{x^2}}{3} + c(d)(iv) \frac{1}{2}e^{x^2} + c
›Reveal solutionSolution
∫x2ex3dx=3ex3+c — option (i).
Concept. Substitution (u-substitution): choose u whose derivative already appears (up to a constant) in the integrand.
Steps.
-
Let u=x3, then du=3x2dx, i.e. x2dx=31du.
-
∫x2ex3dx=∫eu⋅31du=31eu+c.
-
Back-substitute u=x3: 3ex3+c.
✓Final answer3ex3+c — option (i).
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- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.∫1+sin2xcosxdx=(a) −tan−1(sinx)+c(b) tan−1(cosx)+c(c) tan−1(sinx)+c(d) −tan−1(cosx)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
A direct substitution u = sin x reduces this to the standard ∫du/(1+u²) form.
Let u=sinx, so du=cosxdx.
∫1+sin2xcosxdx=∫1+u2du=tan−1u+c=tan−1(sinx)+c
✓Final answer(c) tan−1(sinx)+c.
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