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Q.If ∫02a11+4x2 dx=π6\int_{0}^{2a} \frac{1}{1+4x^2}\, dx = \frac{\pi}{6}, then the value of aa is (A) 34\frac{\sqrt{3}}{4} (B) 32\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} (C) 3\sqrt{3} (D) 232\sqrt{3}

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The key idea is to evaluate the definite integral using the standard arctangent formula, set it equal to π6\frac{\pi}{6}, and solve for aa. The value of aa is 34\frac{\sqrt{3}}{4}.

We are given:

∫02a11+4x2 dx=π6\int_{0}^{2a} \frac{1}{1+4x^2}\, dx = \frac{\pi}{6}

and need to find aa from the options.

Concept and intuition:

The integrand 11+4x2\frac{1}{1+4x^2} looks like the derivative of an inverse trigonometric function. Recall that ddxtan⁡−1x=11+x2\frac{d}{dx} \tan^{-1} x = \frac{1}{1+x^2}. Here, the denominator has 4x24x^2 instead of x2x^2, so a substitution or a standard formula adjustment is needed. The standard result is:

∫dxa2+x2=1atan⁡−1xa+C\int \frac{dx}{a^2 + x^2} = \frac{1}{a} \tan^{-1} \frac{x}{a} + C

Our denominator is 1+4x2=1+(2x)21 + 4x^2 = 1 + (2x)^2, so we can treat it as 12+(2x)21^2 + (2x)^2. This suggests letting u=2xu = 2x, which will convert the integral into the standard arctangent form.

Let’s work through it step by step.

  1. Rewrite the integral in a standard form. The denominator is 1+4x2=1+(2x)21 + 4x^2 = 1 + (2x)^2. So we have:

∫dx1+(2x)2\int \frac{dx}{1 + (2x)^2}

This matches ∫dxa2+u2\int \frac{dx}{a^2 + u^2} with a=1a = 1 and u=2xu = 2x, but we need to account for the dxdx vs dudu change.

  1. Substitute u=2xu = 2x. Then du=2 dxdu = 2\, dx, so dx=du2dx = \frac{du}{2}. The limits: when x=0x = 0, u=0u = 0; when x=2ax = 2a, u=4au = 4a. The integral becomes:

∫02a11+(2x)2 dx=∫u=0u=4a11+u2⋅du2=12∫04adu1+u2\int_{0}^{2a} \frac{1}{1 + (2x)^2}\, dx = \int_{u=0}^{u=4a} \frac{1}{1 + u^2} \cdot \frac{du}{2} = \frac{1}{2} \int_{0}^{4a} \frac{du}{1+u^2}

  1. Evaluate the standard integral. We know ∫du1+u2=tan⁡−1u+C\int \frac{du}{1+u^2} = \tan^{-1} u + C. So:

12∫04adu1+u2=12[tan⁡−1u]04a=12(tan⁡−1(4a)−tan⁡−1(0))\frac{1}{2} \int_{0}^{4a} \frac{du}{1+u^2} = \frac{1}{2} \left[ \tan^{-1} u \right]_{0}^{4a} = \frac{1}{2} \left( \tan^{-1}(4a) - \tan^{-1}(0) \right)

Since tan⁡−1(0)=0\tan^{-1}(0) = 0, this simplifies to:

12tan⁡−1(4a)\frac{1}{2} \tan^{-1}(4a)

  1. Set equal to the given value and solve. The problem states this equals π6\frac{\pi}{6}:

12tan⁡−1(4a)=π6\frac{1}{2} \tan^{-1}(4a) = \frac{\pi}{6}

Multiply both sides by 2:

tan⁡−1(4a)=π3\tan^{-1}(4a) = \frac{\pi}{3}

Now take the tangent of both sides:

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