Q.Integrate the following function: cos3x
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)∣
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:
∫x=0x=12xcos(x2)dx=∫u=0u=1cos(u)du=sin(1)−sin(0)=sin(1)
Common Mistake to Avoid
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 argument is linear (3x), so use the reverse chain rule (substitution) — no triple-angle identity is needed.
Recall ∫cos(ax)dx=a1sin(ax)+C. Here a=3:
∫cos3xdx=31sin3x+C.
Check: dxd(31sin3x)=31⋅3cos3x=cos3x.
∫cos3xdx=31sin3x+C
Integrating cos3x is a linear-argument reverse chain rule: ∫cos3xdx=31sin3x+C.
The idea
We are integrating a cosine whose inside is 3x, not x. Guessing sin3x is close but wrong: differentiating sin3x gives 3cos3x — a factor of 3 too big. To undo that factor we divide by 3. (The triple-angle identity cos3x=4cos3x−3cosx is not the operative idea here and only complicates matters.)
Substitution
Let u=3x, so du=3dx, i.e. dx=3du. Then
∫cos3xdx=∫cosu⋅3du=31∫cosudu=31sinu+C.
Back-substitute
Replace u=3x:
∫cos3xdx=31sin3x+C.
General rule: ∫cos(ax+b)dx=a1sin(ax+b)+C — just divide by the coefficient of x.
∫cos3xdx=31sin3x+C
Method: Integrating cos(ax+b) by the linear-argument rule
When a trig (or exponential) has a linear inside ax+b, no identity is needed — just divide by the coefficient of x.
Steps
Step 1: Recognise the linear argument.
cos3x has inner 3x; its antiderivative is a sine of the same argument, adjusted by the chain-rule factor.
Step 2: Apply the rule.
∫cos(ax+b)dx=a1sin(ax+b)+C.
Step 3: Verify.
Differentiate: dxd(a1sinax)=cosax. (Expanding cos3x=4cos3x−3cosx only complicates a one-step problem.)
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Forgetting the 31 factor.
Why it's wrong: dxdsin3x=3cos3x, so you must divide by 3. Correct approach: ∫cos3xdx=31sin3x+C, not sin3x+C.
Mistake 2: Expanding via the triple-angle identity.
Why it's wrong: it is unnecessary here — the argument is already linear. Correct approach: use the one-step rule ∫cos(ax)dx=a1sin(ax).
Showing the 12 most recent of 16 on this concept.
- GSEB Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Examination 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.∫x4−x2sec−1xdx= ____ +C.(a) −sec−1x(b) sec−1x(c) −21(sec−1x)2(d) 21(sec−1x)2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Recognize the integrand as f(x)f′(x) where f(x)=sec−1x.
x4−x2=∣x∣x2−1, and dxd(sec−1x)=∣x∣x2−11.
So the integrand equals sec−1x⋅dxd(sec−1x), whose integral is 21(sec−1x)2+C.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (d) 21(sec−1x)2.
- GSEB Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Examination 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.∫(4x2+1)6x9dx = ____ +C.(a) 5x1(4+x21)−5(b) 10x1(x21+4)−5(c) 51(4+x21)−5(d) 101(x21+4)−5
›Reveal solutionSolution
Factor x12 out of the denominator and substitute t=4+x21.
Write (4x2+1)6x9=x12(4+x21)6x9=x−3(4+x21)−6.
Let t=4+x21, so dt=−x32dx, i.e. x−3dx=−2dt.
∫t−6(−2dt)=−21⋅−5t−5=10t−5=101(x21+4)−5+C.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (d) 101(x21+4)−5.
- GSEB Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Examination 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.∫cos26xsin24xdx = ____ +C.(a) 24tan24x(b) 26tan26x(c) 25tan25x(d) 27tan27x
›Reveal solutionSolution
Split off sec2x and write the rest in terms of tanx.
cos26xsin24x=tan24x⋅sec2x.
With u=tanx, du=sec2xdx: ∫u24du=25u25=25tan25x+C.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (c) 25tan25x.
- GSEB Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Examination 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.∫3+4cos2xsinxdx = ____ +C.(a) log(3+4cos2x)(b) 231tan−1(23secx)(c) −231tan−1(3cosx)(d) 231tan−1(32cosx)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitute u=cosx to turn this into a standard ∫a2+b2u2du integral.
Let u=cosx, so du=−sinxdx, i.e. sinxdx=−du.
∫3+4cos2xsinxdx=−∫3+4u2du=−41∫u2+3/4du
=−41⋅3/21tan−1(3/2u)=−231tan−1(32u)+C
=−231tan−1(32cosx)+C.
Checking by differentiation confirms this is correct: dxd[231tan−1(32cosx)]=−3+4cos2xsinx, i.e. option (d) as literally printed is the negative of the true antiderivative -- the argument 32cosx is exactly right, only the overall sign in the option is off (likely a printing slip, since options (b) and (c) both have the wrong argument form entirely).
✓Final answer∫3+4cos2xsinxdx=−231tan−1(32cosx)+C -- matching option (d) in every respect except a sign that appears mistyped in the option.
- GSEB Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Examination 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.∫cos2(x⋅ex)ex(1+x)dx = ____ +C.(a) −cot(x⋅ex)(b) tan(ex)(c) tan(x⋅ex)(d) cot(ex)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Recognize that ex(1+x) is the derivative of x⋅ex, so substitute t=xex.
dxd(xex)=ex+xex=ex(1+x).
Let t=xex, dt=ex(1+x)dx: ∫cos2tdt=∫sec2tdt=tant+C=tan(xex)+C.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (c) tan(x⋅ex).
- GSEB Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Examination 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.∫ex+e−xdx = ____ +C.(a) tan−1(ex)(b) log(ex−e−x)(c) tan−1(e−x)(d) log(ex+e−x)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Multiply through by ex to turn the denominator into 1+e2x, a standard arctan form.
ex+e−x1=e2x+1ex.
Let u=ex, du=exdx: ∫u2+1du=tan−1u+C=tan−1(ex)+C.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (a) tan−1(ex).
- GUJCET 2023Set 091 markMCQQ.∫x2019⋅ex2020dx= ______ +C. (A) 20191ex2019 (B) 20201ex2019 (C) ex2020 (D) 20201ex2020
›Reveal solutionSolution
The x²⁰¹⁹ factor is (up to a constant) the derivative of the exponent x²⁰²⁰.
Concept. Substitution u=x2020, du=2020x2019dx.
Solution.
∫x2019ex2020dx=20201∫eudu=20201ex2020+C.
✓Final answer(D) 20201ex2020
ANSWER: (D)
- GUJCET 2022Set 081 markMCQQ.∫esinxsin2xdx= ______ +C. (A) esinx(sinx+1) (B) 2esinx(sinx−1) (C) 2esinx(sinx+1) (D) esinx(sinx−1)
›Reveal solutionSolution
sin2x=2sinxcosx turns the integral into 2∫ueudu=2eu(u−1).
Concept. ∫esinxsin2xdx=∫esinx2sinxcosxdx.
Let u=sinx, du=cosxdx:
2∫ueudu=2(ueu−eu)+C=2esinx(sinx−1)+C.
✓Final answer(B) 2esinx(sinx−1)
ANSWER: (B)
- GUJCET 2022Set 081 markMCQQ.∫1−cos3xcosx−cos3xdx= ______ +C. (A) −23cos−1(cos3/2x) (B) −32cos−1(cos3/2x) (C) 23cos−1(cos3/2x) (D) 32cos−1(cos3/2x)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Simplify cosx−cos3x=cosxsin2x and recognise the derivative of cos−1(cos3/2x).
Concept. Numerator =cosx(1−cos2x)=cosxsin2x, so the integrand is
1−cos3xcosxsin2x=1−cos3xsinxcos1/2x.
Now with u=cos3/2x, dxdcos−1u=1−u2−u′=1−cos3x23sinxcos1/2x. Thus the integrand =32dxdcos−1(cos3/2x), and
∫…dx=32cos−1(cos3/2x)+C.
✓Final answer(D) 32cos−1(cos3/2x)
ANSWER: (D)
- GUJCET 2022Set 081 markMCQQ.∫(x+1)(x+3)(x+2)7dx= ______ +C. (A) 10(x+3)10+8(x+3)8 (B) 10(x+2)10+8(x+2)8 (C) 10(x+3)10−8(x+3)8 (D) 10(x+2)10−8(x+2)8
›Reveal solutionSolution
Centering at t=x+2 turns (x+1)(x+3) into t2−1.
Concept. Let t=x+2, so x+1=t−1, x+3=t+1, and (t−1)(t+1)=t2−1.
∫(t2−1)t7dt=∫(t9−t7)dt=10t10−8t8=10(x+2)10−8(x+2)8+C.
✓Final answer(D) 10(x+2)10−8(x+2)8
ANSWER: (D)
- GSEB Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Examination 2022Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.∫x2ex3dx equals ___.(a) 31ex2+C(b) 31ex3+C(c) 21ex3+C(d) 21ex2+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitution u=x3 turns the integral into 31∫eudu.
Let u=x3⇒du=3x2dx⇒x2dx=31du.
∫x2ex3dx=31∫eudu=31ex3+C.
✓Final answer(b) 31ex3+C.
- GUJCET 2020Set 071 markMCQQ.∫cosxsinxcotxdx= ________ +C. (A) −2cotx (B) −2tanx (C) 2cotx (D) cotx1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitute t=cotx.
Concept: Rewrite sinxcosx1=cotxcsc2x and substitute.
Since cosx=cotxsinx, we have sinxcosx=sin2xcotx, so
sinxcosxcotx=cotxcotxcsc2x=(cotx)−1/2csc2x
Let t=cotx⇒dt=−csc2xdx:
∫t−1/2csc2xdx=−∫t−1/2dt=−2t1/2=−2cotx+C
✓Final answer(A) −2cotx
ANSWER: (A)
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