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Q.Evaluate : ∫13∣2x−1∣ dx\displaystyle\int_{1}^{3} |2x - 1|\, dx

CBSECBSE Class XII Board 2020Subjective· 1mImportance★★★★★
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The integral ∫13∣2x−1∣ dx\int_{1}^{3} |2x - 1|\, dx is evaluated by noting that 2x−12x-1 is positive on the entire interval [1,3][1,3], so the absolute value drops directly. The result is 6\boxed{6}.

The key to integrating an absolute value function is to understand where the expression inside the absolute value changes sign. The absolute value "breaks" the integral into pieces where the expression is either non-negative or negative, because ∣f(x)∣=f(x)|f(x)| = f(x) when f(x)≥0f(x) \ge 0 and ∣f(x)∣=−f(x)|f(x)| = -f(x) when f(x)≤0f(x) \le 0.

Here, the expression is 2x−12x - 1. This is a linear function — it crosses zero at exactly one point. Let's find that point: set 2x−1=02x - 1 = 0, which gives x=12x = \frac{1}{2}.

Now, look at the interval of integration: from x=1x = 1 to x=3x = 3. Since 12<1\frac{1}{2} < 1, the entire interval lies to the right of the zero. For any x>12x > \frac{1}{2}, the value 2x−12x - 1 is positive. Check: at x=1x = 1, 2(1)−1=1>02(1) - 1 = 1 > 0; at x=3x = 3, 2(3)−1=5>02(3) - 1 = 5 > 0. So on [1,3][1, 3], the expression is always positive.

That means the absolute value does nothing — ∣2x−1∣=2x−1|2x - 1| = 2x - 1 for all xx in [1,3][1, 3]. The integral simplifies immediately.

  1. Set up the simplified integral Since ∣2x−1∣=2x−1|2x - 1| = 2x - 1 on [1,3][1, 3], we have:

∫13∣2x−1∣ dx=∫13(2x−1) dx\int_{1}^{3} |2x - 1|\, dx = \int_{1}^{3} (2x - 1)\, dx

  1. Integrate term by term The antiderivative of 2x2x is x2x^2, and the antiderivative of −1-1 is −x-x. So:

∫(2x−1) dx=x2−x+C\int (2x - 1)\, dx = x^2 - x + C

  1. Evaluate the definite integral Apply the limits x=3x = 3 and x=1x = 1: …

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