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Exercise 7.10 · Q12

Q.By using the properties of definite integrals, evaluate the integral ∫0πx dx1+sin⁡x\int_{0}^{\pi}\frac{x\,dx}{1+\sin x}

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Using the property ∫0af(x) dx=∫0af(a−x) dx\int_{0}^{a} f(x)\,dx = \int_{0}^{a} f(a-x)\,dx transforms the integral into a simpler form. Adding the original and transformed versions cancels the xx factor, leaving a standard trigonometric integral. The final value is π\pi.

Let’s look at the integral:

I=∫0πx1+sin⁡x dxI = \int_{0}^{\pi} \frac{x}{1+\sin x}\,dx

The presence of xx multiplied by a trigonometric function over a symmetric-looking interval [0,π][0, \pi] is a classic signal. The trick is to use the property of definite integrals that exploits symmetry about the midpoint.


Why this property works

For any function f(x)f(x) that is integrable on [0,a][0, a], we have:

∫0af(x) dx=∫0af(a−x) dx\int_{0}^{a} f(x)\,dx = \int_{0}^{a} f(a-x)\,dx

Why? Because substituting t=a−xt = a-x maps the interval [0,a][0, a] onto itself in reverse. The area under the curve doesn’t change — it’s just a relabeling of the horizontal axis. This is especially powerful when f(x)f(x) contains a factor like xx, because a−xa-x introduces a complementary term that can simplify the sum.

Here, a=πa = \pi, so we’ll replace xx by π−x\pi - x in the integrand.


Step-by-step solution

1. Apply the symmetry property

Let

I=∫0πx1+sin⁡x dxI = \int_{0}^{\pi} \frac{x}{1+\sin x}\,dx

Using ∫0af(x) dx=∫0af(a−x) dx\int_{0}^{a} f(x)\,dx = \int_{0}^{a} f(a-x)\,dx with a=πa = \pi:

I=∫0ππ−x1+sin⁡(π−x) dxI = \int_{0}^{\pi} \frac{\pi - x}{1 + \sin(\pi - x)}\,dx

2. Simplify the trigonometric part

Recall that sin⁡(π−x)=sin⁡x\sin(\pi - x) = \sin x. So the denominator stays the same:

I=∫0ππ−x1+sin⁡x dxI = \int_{0}^{\pi} \frac{\pi - x}{1 + \sin x}\,dx

Now we have two expressions for II:

I=∫0πx1+sin⁡x dxandI=∫0ππ−x1+sin⁡x dxI = \int_{0}^{\pi} \frac{x}{1+\sin x}\,dx \quad \text{and} \quad I = \int_{0}^{\pi} \frac{\pi - x}{1+\sin x}\,dx

3. Add the two expressions

Add them:

2I=∫0πx+(π−x)1+sin⁡x dx=∫0ππ1+sin⁡x dx2I = \int_{0}^{\pi} \frac{x + (\pi - x)}{1+\sin x}\,dx = \int_{0}^{\pi} \frac{\pi}{1+\sin x}\,dx

The xx terms cancel beautifully. So:

I=π2∫0πdx1+sin⁡xI = \frac{\pi}{2} \int_{0}^{\pi} \frac{dx}{1+\sin x}

Tip

This cancellation is the entire point of the symmetry trick. Whenever you see xx multiplied by a function that is symmetric or has a simple transformation, try this approach. It often eliminates the xx factor entirely.

4. Evaluate the remaining integral …

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