Find : $\displaystyle\int \sec^3 x\, dx$

Find : ∫ sec³ x dx

Question

\displaystyle\int \sec^3 x\, dx

CBSECBSE Class XII Board 2020Subjective· 4mImportance★★★★★

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The integral $\int \sec^3 x \, dx$ is a classic reduction problem. Using integration by parts with $u = \sec x$ and $dv = \sec^2 x \, dx$ , we obtain a recursive equation that yields the final result: $\frac{1}{2} \sec x \tan x + \frac{1}{2} \ln |\sec x + \tan x| + C$ .

Why This Approach Works

The integral $\int \sec^3 x \, dx$ is a standard "reduction" problem. You cannot directly integrate $\sec^3 x$ using a simple substitution or a basic formula. The trick is to split it as $\sec x \cdot \sec^2 x$ and then use integration by parts. Why? Because $\sec^2 x$ integrates cleanly to $\tan x$ , and the derivative of $\sec x$ is $\sec x \tan x$ — which, when multiplied by $\tan x$ , gives a term that can be rewritten back in terms of $\sec^3 x$ . This creates an equation where the original integral appears on both sides, allowing you to solve for it algebraically.

Tip

A common shortcut: if you remember the result for $\int \sec x \, dx = \ln |\sec x + \tan x| + C$ , you can use it directly in the integration by parts. Many students forget this, so keep it handy.

Step-by-Step Solution

1. Set up integration by parts.

Let $u = \sec x$ and $dv = \sec^2 x \, dx$ .

Then $du = \sec x \tan x \, dx$ and $v = \tan x$ .

Integration by parts gives:

\int \sec^3 x \, dx = \sec x \tan x - \int \tan x \cdot \sec x \tan x \, dx

Simplify the integrand:

= \sec x \tan x - \int \sec x \tan^2 x \, dx

2. Rewrite $\tan^2 x$ in terms of $\sec^2 x$ .

Recall the identity $\tan^2 x = \sec^2 x - 1$ . Substitute:

\int \sec^3 x \, dx = \sec x \tan x - \int \sec x (\sec^2 x - 1) \, dx

Distribute:

= \sec x \tan x - \int \sec^3 x \, dx + \int \sec x \, dx

3. Notice the original integral appears on both sides.

Let $I = \int \sec^3 x \, dx$ . Then the equation becomes:

I = \sec x \tan x - I + \int \sec x \, dx

Add $I$ to both sides: …

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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 40 on this concept.

CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQ
$\int\log x\,dx =$
(a) $\frac{1}{x} + k$
(b) $x\log x + k$
(c) $x\log x - x + k$
(d) $x\log x + x + k$
›Reveal solutionSolution

Integrate by parts: $\int\log x\,dx=x\log x-x+k$ .

Take $u=\log x$ and $dv=dx$ , so $du=\tfrac{1}{x}\,dx$ and $v=x$ :

…

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CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQ
$\int\cos\sqrt{x}\,dx =$
(a) $\sin\sqrt{x} + \cos\sqrt{x} + k$
(b) $\frac{1}{2}(\sqrt{x}\sin\sqrt{x} - \cos\sqrt{x}) + k$
(c) $2(\sqrt{x}\sin\sqrt{x} + \cos\sqrt{x}) + k$
(d) $\sin\sqrt{x} + k$
›Reveal solutionSolution

Put $t=\sqrt{x}$ ; the integral becomes $2\int t\cos t\,dt=2(t\sin t+\cos t)+k$ .

Let $t=\sqrt{x}$ , so $x=t^2$ and $dx=2t\,dt$ . Then

$\int\cos\sqrt{x}\,dx=\int\cos t\,(2t\,dt)=2\int t\cos t\,dt$ .

Integrate $\int t\cos t\,dt$ by parts ( $u=t,\ dv=\cos t\,dt$ ): $=t\sin t-\int\sin t\,dt=t\sin t+\cos t$ .

…

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CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQ
$\int e^x\left(\tan^{-1}x + \frac{1}{1+x^2}\right)dx =$
(a) $e^x\tan^{-1}x + k$
(b) $e^x \cdot \frac{1}{1+x^2} + k$
(c) $e^x + k$
(d) $\tan^{-1}x + k$
›Reveal solutionSolution

Recognise $\int e^x[f(x)+f'(x)]\,dx=e^x f(x)+k$ ; here $f(x)=\tan^{-1}x$ .

Note $\dfrac{d}{dx}\tan^{-1}x=\dfrac{1}{1+x^2}$ . So the integrand is $e^x\big[\tan^{-1}x+(\tan^{-1}x)'\big]$ , which matches the standard pattern

…

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CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQ
$\int_0^1 x e^x\,dx =$
(a) $1$
(b) $0$
(c) $2$
(d) $-1$
›Reveal solutionSolution

By parts: $\int_0^1 xe^x\,dx=[(x-1)e^x]_0^1=1$ .

Take $u=x,\ dv=e^x\,dx$ , so $du=dx,\ v=e^x$ :

$\int x e^x\,dx=xe^x-\int e^x\,dx=xe^x-e^x=(x-1)e^x$ .

…

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CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
$\int e^x(\sin x-\cos x)\,dx$
(a) $-e^x\cos x+c$
(b) $e^x\sin x+c$
(c) $-e^x\sec x+c$
(d) $e^x\operatorname{cosec} x+c$
›Reveal solutionSolution

Recognising the standard form $\int e^x[f(x)+f'(x)]\,dx=e^xf(x)+c$ gives $-e^x\cos x+c$ .

There is a standard integration result:

$\int e^x\big[f(x)+f'(x)\big]\,dx=e^x f(x)+c$

Compare the integrand $\sin x-\cos x$ with $f(x)+f'(x)$ . Try $f(x)=-\cos x$ ; then $f'(x)=\sin x$ , so

$f(x)+f'(x)=-\cos x+\sin x=\sin x-\cos x$ …

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CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
$\int e^x (\log \sec x + \tan x)\, dx =$
(a) $e^x + C$
(b) $e^x \tan x + C$
(c) $e^x(\log \sec x) + C$
(d) None of these
›Reveal solutionSolution

This is of the standard form $\int e^x[f(x)+f'(x)]\,dx = e^x f(x)+C$ .

Let $f(x) = \log\sec x$ . Then $f'(x) = \dfrac{\sec x\tan x}{\sec x} = \tan x$ .

…

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CBSE 2025Set X11 markMCQ
$\int e^x (\sin x - \cos x)\, dx$
(a) $-e^x \cos x$
(b) $e^x \cos x$
(c) $e^x \sin x$
(d) $e^x \sin^2 x$
›Reveal solutionSolution

Integral of the form $\int e^x(f+f')\,dx = e^x f$ — correct option (a). …

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CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 mark
$\displaystyle\int x \cdot e^x\,dx$
›Reveal solutionSolution

Apply integration by parts with $u=x$ , $dv=e^x dx$ .

…

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CBSE 2025Set E1 markMCQ
$\int \log x^2\,dx =$
(a) $\frac{1}{x^2} + k$
(b) $\frac{2}{x} + k$
(c) $x\log x - x + k$
(d) $2(x\log x - x) + k$
›Reveal solutionSolution

Bring down the power, then integrate $\log x$ by parts; result $2(x\log x-x)+k$ .

First $\log x^2=2\log x$ . Now integrate $\int\log x\,dx$ by parts with $u=\log x$ , $dv=dx$ : …

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CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 mark
$\displaystyle\int x\sin x\,dx$
›Reveal solutionSolution

Use integration by parts (ILATE): take $u=x$ (algebraic) and $dv=\sin x\,dx$ .

Let $u=x$ , $dv=\sin x\,dx$ , so $du=dx$ , $v=-\cos x$ .

…

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CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 mark
$\displaystyle\int x\log 2x\, dx$
›Reveal solutionSolution

Use integration by parts, taking the logarithm as the first function.

Let $I=\displaystyle\int x\log 2x\,dx$ . Apply $\int u\,dv=uv-\int v\,du$ with

$u=\log 2x,\qquad dv=x\,dx.$

Then

$du=\frac{1}{2x}\cdot 2\,dx=\frac1x\,dx,\qquad v=\frac{x^2}{2}.$

Therefore

$I=\log 2x\cdot\frac{x^2}{2}-\int\frac{x^2}{2}\cdot\frac1x\,dx=\frac{x^2}{2}\log 2x-\frac12\int x\,dx.$ …

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CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
$\displaystyle\int e^x\sec x(1+\tan x)\, dx$
(a) $e^x\cos x + c$
(b) $e^x\sec x + c$
(c) $e^x\sin x + c$
(d) $e^x\tan x + c$
›Reveal solutionSolution

Recognise the form $\int e^x\{f(x)+f'(x)\}\,dx=e^xf(x)+c$ .

Expand the integrand:

$e^x\sec x(1+\tan x)=e^x\big(\sec x+\sec x\tan x\big).$

Let $f(x)=\sec x$ . Then

$f'(x)=\sec x\tan x.$

So the integrand is exactly $e^x\{f(x)+f'(x)\}$ , and by the standard result

$\int e^x\{f(x)+f'(x)\}\,dx=e^xf(x)+c=e^x\sec x+c.$

Verification (differentiate the answer): …

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Q.Find : $\displaystyle\int \sec^3 x\, dx$

Concept understanding — Integration by Parts

Integration by Parts

The idea: reverse the product rule

Choosing $u$ : the ILATE rule

Worked idea

Why This Approach Works

Step-by-Step Solution

Q.Find : ∫sec⁡3x dx\displaystyle\int \sec^3 x\, dx∫sec3xdx

Why This Approach Works

Step-by-Step Solution

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Q.Find : $\displaystyle\int \sec^3 x\, dx$

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