Q.Evaluate the integral using substitution ∫01x2+1xdx
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Concept understanding — U Substitution
U Substitution: The Reverse Chain Rule
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:
x⋅f(x2) — derivative of x2 is 2x, so u=x2
eg(x)⋅g′(x) — derivative of g(x) appears
g(x)g′(x) — leads to log∣g(x)∣
Tip
If stuck, differentiate a candidate "inside" function in your head. If its derivative (up to a constant) appears, that's your u.
The Definite Integral Case
Either change the limits (when x=a, u=g(a); when x=b, u=g(b); then integrate in u), or integrate in u, substitute back, and use the original limits. Changing limits is cleaner:
Don't confuse du with Δu. du is a differential — the exact relationship du=g′(x)dx that holds inside the integral. Treat it algebraically: multiply, divide, and substitute freely.
U-substitution, taught in the CBSE Class 12 Integrals chapter as the method of substitution, is one of the very first integration techniques students learn after the standard formulas, and "integration by substitution class 12 examples" is a heavily searched revision topic. It remains equally essential for solving integral calculus problems in JEE Main and JEE Advanced.
The key idea is U Substitution: choose u=x2+1 so that du=2xdx, which simplifies the denominator.
Step 1: Let u=x2+1. Then du=2xdx, so xdx=2du.
Step 2: Change the limits: when x=0, u=1; when x=1, u=2.
The integral ∫01x2+1xdx is solved by the substitution u=x2+1, which simplifies the integrand to 2u1. The value is 21log2.
Why substitution works here
When you see a function and its derivative lurking in an integral, substitution is your best friend. Look at the denominator: x2+1. Its derivative is 2x, and the numerator has an x — that’s almost the derivative, just missing a factor of 2. This is the classic signal for a u-substitution: let u be the “inside” function whose derivative appears (up to a constant).
The idea is to rewrite the integral in terms of u, so the messy x dependence disappears and we’re left with something simple like u1 — which integrates to a natural log.
Step-by-step solution
1. Choose the substitution.
Let u=x2+1. Then differentiate:
dxdu=2x⇒du=2xdx.
2. Rewrite the integrand in terms of u.
We have xdx in the numerator, but du=2xdx gives xdx=21du. So the integral becomes:
∫x2+1xdx=∫u1⋅21du=21∫u1du.
3. Change the limits of integration.
Since this is a definite integral, we must update the limits for u:
When x=0, u=02+1=1.
When x=1, u=12+1=2.
So the integral becomes:
∫01x2+1xdx=21∫12u1du.
Watch out
A common mistake is to forget changing the limits when using substitution on a definite integral. If you keep the original x-limits and substitute back at the end, you’ll get the same answer — but it’s safer and cleaner to update the limits immediately.
4. Integrate.
The integral of u1 is log∣u∣. Since u is positive on [1,2], we can drop the absolute value:
21∫12u1du=21[logu]12=21(log2−log1).
5. Simplify.
log1=0, so the result is:
21log2.
Tip
You could also do this without changing limits: integrate in x to get 21log(x2+1), then evaluate from 0 to 1. Same result, but updating limits is often faster and reduces algebra errors.
✓Final answer
The value of the integral is 21log2.
Method: Substitution when the numerator is (a multiple of) the derivative of the denominator
Use this for any g(x)g′(x) pattern: the numerator is the denominator's derivative up to a constant, so the integral collapses to a logarithm.
Steps
Step 1: Check the derivative match.
Differentiate the denominator and compare with the numerator. If they agree up to a constant factor, take u=denominator.
Step 2: Substitute and adjust the differential.
With u=g(x), du=g′(x)dx; solve for the exact group present in the integrand (e.g. xdx=21du).
Step 3: Convert the limits to u-values.
Replace x-limits by u=g(a) and u=g(b).
Step 4: Integrate and simplify.
∫udu=log∣u∣+C,
then evaluate between the new limits and combine logs.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Not updating the limits after u=x2+1.
Why it's wrong: the limits 0 and 1 are x-values; in u they become 1 and 2. Correct approach: change the limits, or back-substitute before evaluating.
Mistake 2: Missing the 21 from xdx=21du.
Why it's wrong: du=2xdx, so the integral is 21∫udu, giving 21log2 not log2. Correct approach: keep the constant factor throughout.
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).
Compare with the given form.
The problem states that the integral equals Alog∣b2+c2x2∣+K. Matching coefficients, we see
A=2c23a.
Watch out
A common mistake is to forget the factor from du — specifically, that xdx becomes 2c2du, not just du. If you skip that, you might get 3a or something like 2b23a, which are wrong. Always check the derivative of your substitution.
Tip
Notice that the constants b2 and c2 appear in the denominator, but b2 disappears from the final A because it's part of the constant term inside the log — it doesn't affect the coefficient. Only c2 matters because it comes from the derivative.
✓Final answer
The value of A is 2c23a, which corresponds to option (D).
CBSE 2020Set 65/1/11 mark
Q.Find : ∫9−4x2dx
›Reveal solutionSolution
The integral ∫9−4x2dx is a standard inverse sine form. By rewriting the denominator as 4(49−x2) and using substitution u=2x, we get the result 21sin−1(32x)+C.
When you see a square root with a constant minus a square term, your mind should immediately jump to the inverse trigonometric integrals. The classic formula is:
∫a2−u2du=sin−1(au)+C
Our job is to force the given integral into this exact shape. The denominator is 9−4x2. Notice that 9=32, so we have a=3 in the formula. But the 4x2 term is not a pure u2 — it has a coefficient 4. That’s the only obstacle.
The key insight: Factor out the 4 from inside the square root. Write:
9−4x2=4(49−x2)=249−x2
Now the integral becomes:
∫249−x2dx=21∫(23)2−x2dx
This is exactly the inverse sine form with a=23 and u=x. So:
21sin−1(3/2x)+C=21sin−1(32x)+C
That’s the answer. But let’s walk through it step by step with a substitution to make it foolproof.
Identify the target form. We want ∫a2−u2du. Here, the denominator has 9−4x2. Compare with a2−u2: we need a2=9 and u2=4x2. So set u=2x. Then du=2dx, so dx=2du.
Substitute. The integral becomes:
∫9−4x2dx=∫9−u2du/2=21∫9−u2du
Apply the standard formula. With a=3:
21sin−1(3u)+C
Back-substituteu=2x:
21sin−1(32x)+C
Watch out
A common mistake is to forget the factor from the substitution. If you set u=2x, you must also replace dx with du/2. Skipping that step gives the wrong coefficient. Also, note that 9−4x2 is not the same as 9−(2x)2 — it is exactly that, but the substitution handles it cleanly.
Tip
You can also factor directly: 9−4x2=249−x2 and then use a=3/2 without an explicit substitution. Both methods are equivalent; choose whichever feels more natural.
✓Final answer
The value is 21sin−1(32x)+C.
CBSE 2026Set CX1 mark
Q.Find the value of the integral ∫x2tan(x3+2)dx.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitute u=x3+2; the integral becomes 31∫tanudu=31ln∣sec(x3+2)∣+C.
Concept: The factor x2 is (up to a constant) the derivative of the inner function x3+2, so substitution works.
Let u=x3+2⇒du=3x2dx⇒x2dx=3du.
∫x2tan(x3+2)dx=31∫tanudu=31ln∣secu∣+C.
Replacing u:
=31lnsec(x3+2)+C.
✓Final answer
∫x2tan(x3+2)dx=31lnsec(x3+2)+C.
CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQ
Q.∫1−x2tan(sin−1x)dx=
(a) log∣sec(sin−1x)∣+k
(b) log∣cos(sin−1x)∣+k
(c) tan(sin−1x)+k
(d) log∣sin−1x∣+k
›Reveal solutionSolution
With u=sin−1x (so du=1−x2dx) the integral is ∫tanudu=log∣secu∣+k.