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 16 on this concept.
- 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 …
- 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. …
- GUJCET 2019Set 171 markMCQQ.If ∫sin13xcos3xdx=Asin14x+Bsin16x+C, then A+B= (A) 11217 (B) 11215 (C) 1101 (D) 1121
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting u=sinx gives ∫u13(1−u2)du=14sin14x−16sin16x, so A+B=1121.
Concept: cos3x=(1−sin2x)cosx. Let u=sinx, du=cosxdx:
∫u13(1−u2)du=14u14−16u16 …
- 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: …
- 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. …
- 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. …
- 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.
…
- 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.
…
- 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.
…
- 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.
…
- 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).
…
- 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.
…
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