Q.Integrate the following function: sin2x
Concept understanding — Sine Double Angle Integration
Sine Double Angle Integration — From Intuition to Formula
Suppose you want the area under sin(2x) from x=0 to π/2. This graph oscillates twice as fast as a regular sine wave, completing a cycle in π units instead of 2π — the "double angle" inside compresses the wave horizontally.
The catch: you can't integrate sin(2x) the same way as sinx. Differentiating cos(2x) gives −2sin(2x) — not −sin(2x) — so the antiderivative needs a factor to compensate for that extra 2.
The Precise Statement
∫sin(ax)dx=−a1cos(ax)+C
For a=2:
∫sin(2x)dx=−21cos(2x)+C
This is the sine double angle integration formula — a direct application of the reverse chain rule.
Why It Works
Differentiate the right-hand side:
dxd[−21cos(2x)+C]=−21⋅(−sin(2x))⋅2=sin(2x)
The −21 cancels the −2 from the chain rule, leaving exactly sin(2x).
A common mistake is writing ∫sin(2x)dx=−cos(2x)+C. Differentiating −cos(2x) gives 2sin(2x), not sin(2x). Always check by differentiating your answer.
Definite Integrals
∫absin(2x)dx=[−21cos(2x)]ab=−21[cos(2b)−cos(2a)]
Example: ∫0π/2sin(2x)dx=−21[cos(π)−cos(0)]=−21[(−1)−1]=1.
The General Pattern
∫sin(kx)dx=−k1cos(kx)+C
The k in the denominator is the "compensation factor" for the chain rule, working for any constant k=0.
If you forget the formula, think: "derivative of cos(kx) is −ksin(kx), so to undo it I need −k1 in front."
Why This Matters for Exams
In Indian board exams this formula appears in direct integration, integration by substitution (u=2x), definite integrals with trigonometric limits, and area-under-curve applications. The key: never skip the 1/k factor — the single most common error.
Integrating sin(2x) and other sin(kx) forms is one of the very first standard integrals introduced in the NCERT Class 12 Integrals chapter, and it's a guaranteed building block for CBSE board and JEE Main integration questions. Students searching 'integration of sin 2x formula' or 'standard integrals class 12 important questions' will find this 1/k compensation factor is exactly the rule those exam papers expect students to apply without hesitation.
The key idea is to use the sine double-angle identity to rewrite sin2x in a form that integrates directly.
Step 1: Recall the identity sin2x=2sinxcosx.
Step 2: Integrate term by term:
∫sin2xdx=∫2sinxcosxdx.
Step 3: Use substitution u=sinx, du=cosxdx, giving
∫2udu=u2+C=sin2x+C.
Alternatively, integrate directly: ∫sin2xdx=−21cos2x+C, which is equivalent.
The integral is −21cos2x+C (or sin2x+C).
The integral of sin2x is found using the sine double-angle identity or a simple substitution. The result is −21cos2x+C.
The key insight here is that sin2x is not a basic integral we memorize directly — but it is a simple transformation of a basic one. The sine double-angle formula tells us sin2x=2sinxcosx, which might look more complicated. Instead, the cleanest approach is to notice that the derivative of cos2x is −2sin2x, so the antiderivative of sin2x must be −21cos2x.
Let’s work through it step by step.
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Recognize the pattern.
We know that dxd(cos2x)=−2sin2x by the chain rule. This tells us that sin2x is almost the derivative of cos2x, except for a factor of −2.
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Set up the integral.
We want ∫sin2xdx. If dxd(cos2x)=−2sin2x, then dividing both sides by −2 gives:
dxd(−21cos2x)=sin2x
- Write the antiderivative. Therefore,
∫sin2xdx=−21cos2x+C
where C is the constant of integration.
A quick check: differentiate −21cos2x. You get −21(−2sin2x)=sin2x. Works perfectly.
A common mistake is to forget the factor from the chain rule and write ∫sin2xdx=−cos2x+C. That would differentiate to 2sin2x, not sin2x. Always account for the inner derivative.
If you prefer substitution, let u=2x, then du=2dx, so dx=2du. The integral becomes ∫sinu⋅2du=21∫sinudu=−21cosu+C=−21cos2x+C. Same result.
The integral of sin2x is −21cos2x+C.
Method: Integrating sin(kx) and other sin/cos of a linear argument
Use this for any ∫sin(kx)dx or ∫cos(kx)dx where the angle is a constant times x. The only new ingredient beyond the basic sine/cosine integrals is a compensation factor k1.
Steps
Step 1: Recall the basic antiderivative and why k appears.
Because dxdcos(kx)=−ksin(kx), undoing it needs a −k1:
∫sin(kx)dx=−k1cos(kx)+C.
Step 2: Identify k from the argument.
Read off the multiplier of x inside the trig function (here k=2). This single number is the compensation factor.
Step 3: Write the antiderivative with the k1 factor.
∫sin(2x)dx=−21cos(2x)+C.
Step 4: Verify by differentiating.
Differentiate your answer; the chain rule should regenerate exactly the integrand. (Equivalently, substitute u=kx, du=kdx, to see the k1 emerge.) This check catches the near-universal error of omitting k1.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Omitting the k1 factor.
Why it's wrong: writing ∫sin2xdx=−cos2x+C differentiates back to 2sin2x, not sin2x. Correct approach: include the compensation factor, giving −21cos2x+C.
Mistake 2: Sign error on the cosine.
Why it's wrong: ∫sin(kx)dx is negative cosine; students sometimes write +21cos2x. Correct approach: remember ∫sin=−cos, then differentiate to confirm the sign.
Mistake 3: Treating sin2x=2sinxcosx as harder.
Why it's wrong: expanding is fine but tempts errors; both −21cos2x+C and sin2x+C are correct and differ only by a constant. Correct approach: use the direct k1 rule, or if expanding, accept the equivalent sin2x form.
Showing the 12 most recent of 17 on this concept.
- CBSE 20241 markMCQQ.∫sin2xcos2xcos2xdx is equal to : (A) cotx+tanx+c (B) −cotx+tanx+c (C) cotx−tanx+c (D) −cotx−tanx+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
The integral simplifies by rewriting cos2x as cos2x−sin2x, splitting into two simple integrals, and integrating term by term. The result is −cotx−tanx+c, which matches option (D).
The key insight here is that the denominator sin2xcos2x is a product of squares, and the numerator cos2x is begging to be expressed in terms of sin2x and cos2x. Once you do that, the fraction splits naturally into two separate terms, each of which is a standard integral.
Let’s walk through it.
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Rewrite cos2x using a double-angle identity.
The most useful form here is cos2x=cos2x−sin2x. This directly matches the squares in the denominator.
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Split the integrand into two fractions.
sin2xcos2xcos2x=sin2xcos2xcos2x−sin2x=sin2xcos2xcos2x−sin2xcos2xsin2x
Cancel common factors:
=sin2x1−cos2x1
- Recognise the standard forms.
sin2x1=csc2x,cos2x1=sec2x
So the integral becomes:
∫(csc2x−sec2x)dx
- Integrate term by term. Recall:
∫csc2xdx=−cotx+c,∫sec2xdx=tanx+c
Therefore:
∫(csc2x−sec2x)dx=−cotx−tanx+c
Watch outA common mistake is to forget the minus sign when integrating csc2x. The derivative of cotx is −csc2x, so the antiderivative of csc2x is −cotx, not cotx.
TipIf you ever see sin2xcos2x in the denominator and cos2x in the numerator, this splitting trick works every time. Alternatively, you could use cos2x=1−2sin2x or 2cos2x−1, but the symmetric form cos2x−sin2x is the cleanest here.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D): −cotx−tanx+c.
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- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.∫0π/21+cos2xdx=(a) 0(b) 1(c) 21(d) None of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use 1+cos2x=2cos2x to simplify the square root, then integrate cosx.
Since 1+cos2x=2cos2x, we have 1+cos2x=2∣cosx∣. On [0,π/2], cosx≥0, so this is 2cosx.
∫0π/21+cos2xdx=2∫0π/2cosxdx=2[sinx]0π/2=2(1−0)=2
This value (2≈1.414) is not 0, 1, or 21.
✓Final answer(d) None of these — the correct value is 2.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Value of ∫cos2xdx is:(a) 41sin2x+c(b) 2x+41sin2x+c(c) sin2x+c(d) 2x−41cos2x+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the identity cos2x=21+cos2x.
∫cos2xdx=∫21+cos2xdx=2x+41sin2x+c
✓Final answer(ii) 2x+41sin2x+c
- CBSE 2025Set E1 markMCQQ.∫0π/2sinx⋅cosxdx=(a) 1(b) 21(c) −1(d) 41
›Reveal solutionSolution
With u=sinx, ∫0π/2sinxcosxdx=[2sin2x]0π/2=21.
Let u=sinx, so du=cosxdx. Then
∫0π/2sinxcosxdx=∫01udu=[2u2]01=21.
✓Final answer(B) 21.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.∫0π/4sin2xdx is equal to(a) 0(b) 1(c) 2(d) 21
›Reveal solutionSolution
Antiderivative of sin2x is −cos2x/2; evaluating from 0 to π/4 gives 1/2.
∫0π/4sin2xdx=[−2cos2x]0π/4
=−2cos(π/2)−(−2cos0)=−20+21=21
✓Final answer(d) 21
- CBSE 2024Set D1 markMCQQ.∫0π/2cos2xdx=(a) 0(b) 1(c) −1(d) 2
›Reveal solutionSolution
The antiderivative 2sin2x evaluates to 0 at both limits.
∫0π/2cos2xdx=[2sin2x]0π/2=2sinπ−2sin0=0−0=0.
✓Final answer(a) 0.
- CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.∫sin2xdx=(a) 2x−4sin2x+c(b) 4sin2x−2x+c(c) 2sin2x+2x+c(d) none of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
Rewrite sin^2 x using the double-angle identity, then integrate term by term.
Using sin2x=21−cos2x:
∫sin2xdx=∫21−cos2xdx=2x−4sin2x+c
✓Final answer(a) 2x−4sin2x+c.
- CBSE 2023Set AX1 markMCQQ.The value of ∫cos2xdx will be(a) 2x+41sin2x+c(b) 4x−21sin2x+c(c) cos2x−sin2x+c(d) 2cosxsinx+2x+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Reduce the square with the double-angle identity, then integrate term by term: 2x+41sin2x+c, option (a).
Concept. A squared trig function is integrated by lowering the power with a double-angle identity, turning cos2x into a simple linear combination of 1 and cos2x.
Solution. Using cos2x=21+cos2x,
∫cos2xdx=∫21+cos2xdx=21∫dx+21∫cos2xdx.
=2x+21⋅2sin2x+c=2x+41sin2x+c.
✓Final answer(a) 2x+41sin2x+c
- CBSE 2023Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The value of ∫cos2xdx is:(a) 2x+41sin2x+C(b) x2+41sin2x+C(c) 4x+21sinx+C(d) 2x2+21sin2x+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the identity cos2x=21+cos2x to make the integral straightforward.
∫cos2xdx=∫21+cos2xdx=21∫dx+21∫cos2xdx
=2x+21⋅2sin2x+C=2x+41sin2x+C
✓Final answer(a) 2x+41sin2x+C.
- CBSE 2023Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Evaluate : ∫0π/2cos2xdx OR Evaluate : ∫011+x2dx
›Reveal solutionSolution
Integrate cos2x to 21sin2x and evaluate the limits.
∫0π/2cos2xdx=[2sin2x]0π/2=2sinπ−2sin0=20−20=0.
✓Final answer∫0π/2cos2xdx=0.
Alternative (Or):
The integrand is the derivative of tan−1x.
∫011+x2dx=[tan−1x]01=tan−11−tan−10=4π−0=4π.
✓Final answer4π.
- CBSE 2022Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.∫π/2π/2sin2xdx=(a) 0(b) 1(c) 5(d) 11
›Reveal solutionSolution
The limits of integration are identical, so the integral is 0.
The printed integral is ∫π/2π/2sin2xdx. By the property ∫aaf(x)dx=0, any definite integral whose lower and upper limits coincide equals zero.
∫π/2π/2sin2xdx=0.
✓Final answer(a) 0.
- CBSE 2021Set I1 markMCQQ.∫0π/2cosxdx=(a) 1(b) −1(c) 0(d) 2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Antiderivative of cosx is sinx; evaluate at the limits.
∫0π/2cosxdx=[sinx]0π/2=sin2π−sin0=1−0=1.
✓Final answer(a) 1.
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