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:
The key is to rewrite the integrand so that the substitution t=x3/2 (or equivalently u=x3/a3) reveals a standard arcsin form. The final result is 32arcsin(a3/2x3/2)+C.
When you see a square root of a difference like a3−x3, your first thought should be: can I turn this into something like 1−u2? That’s the classic pattern for an inverse sine (or inverse cosine) integral. The problem is that the numerator is x, not a simple constant. So we need to find a substitution that absorbs the x into the differential.
Notice that the denominator has x3 inside the square root. If we set u=x3/2, then du=23x1/2dx, which exactly contains the xdx from the numerator. That’s the insight: the x is not a nuisance — it’s the derivative of x3/2 up to a constant factor.
Let’s work it through cleanly.
Rewrite the integral
I=∫a3−x3xdx
Choose the substitution
Let t=x3/2. Then t2=x3, and
dt=23x1/2dx⇒xdx=32dt
Replace everything in terms of t
The denominator becomes a3−t2. So
I=∫a3−t232dt=32∫a3−t2dt
Recognise the standard form
This is exactly ∫A2−u2du=arcsin(Au)+C, with A=a3/2 and u=t. …
Method: Substituting u=x3/2 to reach an arcsine form
Use this for integrands like a3−x3x, where a fractional-power substitution converts the cube under the root into a square, exposing the arcsine standard form.
Steps
Step 1: Choose u=x3/2 so that u2=x3.
Then du=23x1/2dx, i.e. x1/2dx=32du — exactly the numerator group.
Mistake 1: Picking a substitution that doesn't match the numerator.
Why it's wrong: only u=x3/2 makes du∝x1/2dx match the x on top. Correct approach: choose the power so du absorbs the existing x1/2.
Mistake 2: Not recognising a3=(a3/2)2.
Why it's wrong: without writing a3−x3=(a3/2)2−(x3/2)2, the arcsine form stays hidden. Correct approach: express both constants and variable as squares. …
Same / Similar Concept — real previous-year questions on the same or a closely similar concept, not this exact question.
Showing the 12 most recent of 44 on this concept.
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).