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 idea is to rewrite tan32xsec2x as tan22x⋅(tan2xsec2x), then use the identity tan22x=sec22x−1 and substitute u=sec2x. The integral evaluates to 61sec32x−21sec2x+C.
When you see a product of powers of tan and sec, your first instinct should be to look for a derivative relationship. The derivative of secx is secxtanx, and the derivative of tanx is sec2x. Here, the presence of sec2x multiplied by tan32x suggests that if we isolate one factor of tan2xsec2x, the rest can be expressed in terms of sec2x alone.
Let’s walk through it.
Rewrite the integrand to expose the derivative of sec2x.
Notice that dxd(sec2x)=2sec2xtan2x. So the factor tan2xsec2x is almost a derivative — we just need to account for the chain rule factor of 2.
Write:
tan32xsec2x=tan22x⋅(tan2xsec2x).
Use the Pythagorean identity for tan2.
Recall that tan2θ=sec2θ−1. Here θ=2x, so:
tan22x=sec22x−1.
Substituting gives:
tan32xsec2x=(sec22x−1)⋅(tan2xsec2x).
Substitute u=sec2x.
Then du=2sec2xtan2xdx, so sec2xtan2xdx=2du.
The integrand becomes:
Method: Odd power of tan with a sec factor — substitute u=sec
For integrands of the form tanm(⋅)sec(⋅) with m odd, save one sectan pair for the differential, convert the remaining even power of tan to sec, and substitute u=sec(⋅).
Mistake 1: Saving the wrong factor for the differential.
Why it's wrong: with an odd power of tan and a sec present, you must reserve secθtanθ (the derivative of secθ), not sec2θ. Reserving sec2 here fails because only one sec is available. Correct approach: write tan32xsec2x=(sec22x−1)sec2xtan2x and set u=sec2x. …
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).