Concept understanding — Definite Integral Arctangent
Definite Integral of 1+x21
The function y=1+x21 is a gentle bump that flattens towards zero on both sides. Finding the area under it is exactly where the arctangent appears — because arctanx is the antiderivative of 1+x21.
The core idea
Differentiation and integration undo each other, and
dxd(tan−1x)=1+x21.
So tan−1x is an antiderivative of 1+x21. By the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, the definite integral over [a,b] is just the difference of the arctangent values at the two ends:
∫ab1+x2dx=tan−1b−tan−1a
Since 1+x21 is defined for every real x, there are never any domain problems — a and b may be negative.
A worked value
∫011+x2dx=tan−11−tan−10=4π−0=4π.
A few standard arctangent values worth knowing: tan−10=0, tan−11=4π, tan−13=3π.
Tip
The moment you see 1+x21 inside an integral, your first thought should be "this integrates to tan−1". The more general form is ∫a2+x2dx=a1tan−1ax+C. …
The integral ∫131+x2dx is a standard arctangent form. Its value is 12π, which corresponds to option (D).
The key here is recognising that 1+x21 is the derivative of arctanx. This is one of the most fundamental inverse trigonometric integrals — it appears constantly in calculus. The definite integral from a to b of 1+x2dx simply gives the difference of the arctangent values at the limits.
Let’s walk through it.
Recall the antiderivative.
We know that
∫1+x2dx=arctanx+C
This is a direct consequence of the fact that dxd(arctanx)=1+x21.
Apply the limits of integration.
Using the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus:
∫131+x2dx=arctan(3)−arctan(1)
Evaluate each arctangent.
arctan(1) is the angle whose tangent is 1. That angle is 4π (since tan4π=1).
arctan(3) is the angle whose tangent is 3. That angle is 3π (since tan3π=3).
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 29 on this concept.
CBSE 2025Set 65/4/11 markMCQ
Q.The value of ∫01ex+e−x1dx is : (A) −4π (B) 4π (C) tan−1e−4π (D) tan−1e
›Reveal solutionSolution
The integral simplifies by rewriting the denominator as 2coshx, then substituting t=ex to get a rational function in t, which integrates to an arctangent. The value is tan−1e−4π, which is option (C).
The key insight here is that ex+e−x is exactly 2coshx, but more usefully, it suggests a substitution that turns the integral into a standard arctangent form. When you see a sum of exponentials in the denominator, your first instinct should be to multiply numerator and denominator by something to simplify — here, multiplying by ex does the trick.
Let’s work through it.
Rewrite the integrand
Multiply numerator and denominator by ex:
ex+e−x1=e2x+1ex.
This is cleaner because the denominator is now e2x+1, which looks like u2+1 after a substitution.
Substitute t=ex
Then dt=exdx, so dx=tdt. But notice: the numerator already has exdx in disguise.
When x=0, t=e0=1. When x=1, t=e1=e.
The integral becomes:
∫01e2x+1exdx=∫1et2+11dt.
That’s a direct substitution — no extra factor needed because exdx=dt.
Integrate the arctangent form
The integral ∫t2+11dt is tan−1t+C. So:
∫1et2+11dt=[tan−1t]1e=tan−1e−tan−11.
Evaluate the known arctangenttan−11=4π. Therefore:
Q.If ∫02a1+4x21dx=6π, then the value of a is (A) 43 (B) 23 (C) 3 (D) 23
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to evaluate the definite integral using the standard arctangent formula, set it equal to 6π, and solve for a. The value of a is 43.
We are given:
∫02a1+4x21dx=6π
and need to find a from the options.
Concept and intuition:
The integrand 1+4x21 looks like the derivative of an inverse trigonometric function. Recall that dxdtan−1x=1+x21. Here, the denominator has 4x2 instead of x2, so a substitution or a standard formula adjustment is needed. The standard result is:
∫a2+x2dx=a1tan−1ax+C
Our denominator is 1+4x2=1+(2x)2, so we can treat it as 12+(2x)2. This suggests letting u=2x, which will convert the integral into the standard arctangent form.
Let’s work through it step by step.
Rewrite the integral in a standard form.
The denominator is 1+4x2=1+(2x)2. So we have:
∫1+(2x)2dx
This matches ∫a2+u2dx with a=1 and u=2x, but we need to account for the dx vs du change.
Substitute u=2x.
Then du=2dx, so dx=2du. The limits: when x=0, u=0; when x=2a, u=4a. The integral becomes: