Q.Evaluate the definite integral ∫0π/4cos4x+sin4xsinxcosxdx
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →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).
- Set u=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 back u=g(x).
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)∣ …
Divide top and bottom by cos4x: the numerator becomes tanxsec2x and the denominator 1+tan4x.
Let t=tan2x, so dt=2tanxsec2xdx, i.e. tanxsec2xdx=21dt. Limits: x=0⇒t=0, x=4π⇒t=1. …
Dividing by cos4x turns the integrand into 1+tan4xtanxsec2x; with t=tan2x it becomes 21∫011+t2dt=8π.
The idea
The numerator and denominator are both built from powers of sinx and cosx. Dividing through by the highest power of cosx rewrites everything in terms of tanx and sec2x — and sec2x is exactly the derivative a tan-substitution needs.
Set up
Divide numerator and denominator by cos4x:
cos4x+sin4xsinxcosx=1+cos4xsin4xcos4xsinxcosx=1+tan4xtanxsec2x,
since cos4xsinxcosx=cos3xsinx=tanxsec2x.
Substitute
Let t=tan2x. Then
dxdt=2tanxsec2x⇒tanxsec2xdx=21dt. …
Method: Divide by coskx to convert into a tanx substitution
Use this for definite integrals whose numerator and denominator are homogeneous in sinx,cosx: dividing top and bottom by the highest power of cosx produces tanx and sec2x.
Steps
Step 1: Divide numerator and denominator by coskx.
Choose k = highest power present. The integrand rewrites in terms of tanx with a sec2x factor.
Step 2: Substitute (and change the limits). …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Not changing the limits after substituting.
Why it's wrong: with t=tan2x, the x-limits 0,4π become t=0,1; keeping the old limits gives a wrong definite value. Correct approach: convert limits with the substitution.
Mistake 2: Mishandling tan4x.
Why it's wrong: tan4x=(tan2x)2=t2, so the denominator is 1+t2; misreading it as 1+t4 derails the standard form. Correct approach: express everything in t=tan2x. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 44 on this concept.
- CBSE 2020Set 65/1/11 markQ.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 …
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- CBSE 2020Set 65/1/11 markQ.Evaluate: ∫x4logxdx(OR)Evaluate: ∫3x2+12xdx
›Reveal solutionSolution
- ∫x4logxdx=5x5logx−25x5+C.
- ∫3x2+12xdx=23(x2+1)2/3+C.
Part (a)
Use integration by parts, ∫udv=uv−∫vdu, choosing u=logx (differentiates simply) and dv=x4dx, so du=x1dx and v=5x5:
∫x4logxdx=5x5logx−∫5x5⋅x1dx=5x5logx−51∫x4dx. …
- CBSE 2026Set 65/1/11 markMCQQ.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. …
-
- CBSE 2026Set CX1 markQ.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.
…
- CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQQ.∫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.
Let u=sin−1x. Then du=1−x2dx, so
…
- CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQQ.∫ex+e−xdx=(a) cot−1(ex)+k(b) tan−1(ex)+k(c) log∣ex+1∣+k(d) sin−1(ex)+k
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitute t=ex: ∫ex+e−xdx=∫1+t2dt=tan−1(ex)+k.
Multiply numerator and denominator by ex:
ex+e−x1=e2x+1ex.
Let t=ex, dt=exdx. Then
…
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.∫sin(2x+3)dx=(a) cos(2x+3)+C(b) −2cos(2x+3)+C(c) tan2x+C(d) None of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
∫sin(ax+b)dx=−acos(ax+b)+C.
…
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.∫1ex(logx)2dx=(a) 31e3(b) 31(e3−1)(c) 31(d) None of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitute u=logx, du=dx/x, converting the limits from x=1,e to u=0,1.
Let u=logx⇒du=xdx. When x=1,u=0; when x=e,u=1.
…
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.∫x(1+logx)1dx is equal to:(a) x+logx+c(b) ∣x+logx∣+c(c) log∣1+logx∣+c(d) log(1+x)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitute u=1+logx so du=xdx, turning the integral into ∫udu.
I=∫x(1+logx)1dx
Let u=1+logx⇒du=x1dx.
…
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.∫cos8xsin6xdx is equal to:
›Reveal solutionSolution
Rewrite the integrand as tan6xsec2x and substitute t=tanx.
I=∫cos8xsin6xdx=∫cos6xsin6x⋅cos2x1dx=∫tan6xsec2xdx
Let t=tanx⇒dt=sec2xdx. …
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.\int x^2 e^{x^3} dx equals:(a)(i) \frac{e^{x^3}}{3} + c(b)(ii) 3e^{x^3} + c(c)(iii) \frac{e^{x^2}}{3} + c(d)(iv) \frac{1}{2}e^{x^2} + c
›Reveal solutionSolution
∫x2ex3dx=3ex3+c — option (i).
Concept. Substitution (u-substitution): choose u whose derivative already appears (up to a constant) in the integrand.
Steps.
- Let u=x3, then du=3x2dx, i.e. x2dx=31du. …
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.∫1+sin2xcosxdx=(a) −tan−1(sinx)+c(b) tan−1(cosx)+c(c) tan−1(sinx)+c(d) −tan−1(cosx)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
A direct substitution u = sin x reduces this to the standard ∫du/(1+u²) form.
Let u=sinx, so du=cosxdx.
…
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