🎯 Appeared in past exams:COMEDK 2024· Set 2024-E· 1mexact
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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).
Setu=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 backu=g(x).
Watch out
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)∣
Tip
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:
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: Standard forms – these are direct applications of the inverse hyperbolic / logarithmic and inverse trigonometric integration formulas.
(i)∫x2−16dx
Factor the denominator: x2−16=(x−4)(x+4). Use partial fractions or the standard formula
∫x2−a2dx=2a1logx+ax−a+C.
Here a=4, so:
∫x2−16dx=81logx+4x−4+C.
(ii)∫2x−x2dx
Complete the square: 2x−x2=−(x2−2x)=−(x−1)2+1=1−(x−1)2.
Thus the integral becomes ∫1−(x−1)2dx, which matches ∫a2−u2du=sin−1au+C with a=1, u=x−1.
∫2x−x2dx=sin−1(x−1)+C.
✓Final answer
The value is 81logx+4x−4+C.
The value is sin−1(x−1)+C.
Both integrals are standard forms solved by completing the square or direct recognition. (i) ∫x2−16dx=81logx+4x−4+C;
(ii) ∫2x−x2dx=sin−1(x−1)+C.
The key to both problems is recognising that they match the standard forms from your integral tables — but with a slight twist. For (i), the denominator is a difference of squares, which screams for partial fractions or the inverse hyperbolic tangent formula. For (ii), the expression under the square root is a quadratic that doesn’t immediately look like 1−u2, but completing the square will make it so.
Let’s work through each one.
(i) ∫x2−16dx
1. Recognise the standard form.
You know that ∫x2−a2dx=2a1logx+ax−a+C. Here a2=16, so a=4. This is a direct match — no substitution needed.
2. Apply the formula.
Plug a=4 into the formula:
∫x2−16dx=2⋅41logx+4x−4+C=81logx+4x−4+C.
Tip
If you forget the formula, you can derive it quickly using partial fractions: x2−161=81(x−41−x+41), then integrate term by term. You’ll get the same result.
3. Done.
No further simplification is needed. The absolute value ensures the logarithm is defined for x outside the interval (−4,4) as well.
Watch out
A common mistake is to write x2−161 as (x−4)(x+4)1 and then try a trigonometric substitution — that’s overkill. Stick to the standard formula unless the problem explicitly asks for a different method.
(ii) ∫2x−x2dx
1. Complete the square inside the square root.
The expression 2x−x2 is a quadratic. Write it as:
2x−x2=−(x2−2x)=−(x2−2x+1−1)=−[(x−1)2−1]=1−(x−1)2.
So the integral becomes:
∫1−(x−1)2dx.
2. Recognise the standard form.
Now it matches ∫1−u2du=sin−1u+C, with u=x−1 and du=dx.
3. Substitute and integrate.
Let u=x−1, then du=dx. The integral is:
∫1−u2du=sin−1u+C=sin−1(x−1)+C.
Note
The domain of the original integral requires 2x−x2>0, i.e., x(2−x)>0, which gives 0<x<2. Within this interval, x−1 lies between −1 and 1, so the arcsine is well-defined.
4. Done.
No constant factor appears because the completed square gave exactly 1−(x−1)2 — the coefficient of u2 is 1.
✓Final answer
∫x2−16dx=81logx+4x−4+C;
∫2x−x2dx=sin−1(x−1)+C.
Method: Complete the Square, Then Match a Standard Form
Use this for integrals of x2±a21, a2−x21 type expressions, especially when the quadratic has a linear term hidden in it.
Steps
Step 1: Recognise or create a pure quadratic-in-(x−h).
If the denominator is x2−a2, it is already a difference of squares. If it is 2x−x2 or similar, complete the square first: 2x−x2=1−(x−1)2.
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-substituteu=2x:
21sin−1(32x)+C
Watch out
A 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.
Tip
You 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 answer
The value is 21sin−1(32x)+C.
CBSE 2026Set 65/1/11 markMCQ
Q.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 out
A 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.
Tip
Notice 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 answer
The value of A is 2c23a, which corresponds to option (D).
CBSE 2026Set CX1 mark
Q.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 markMCQ
Q.∫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.