Q.(Continuing the definite-integral case study of Q.37) g(x)=log(1+tanx)dx. Evaluate: ∫0π/4g(x)dx
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The King Property of Definite Integrals
Imagine walking a path from point a to point b, measuring something at every step. Now walk the same path backwards, from b to a. The King Property says: if you reverse the direction of travel, the total measurement stays the same — provided you also reverse how you measure it.
The Precise Statement
∫abf(x)dx=∫abf(a+b−x)dx
The limits stay the same (a to b), but every x in the function is replaced by a+b−x.
Why "King"? It's a royal shortcut — it often turns a difficult integral into a simple one, especially when the integrand involves trigonometric functions or symmetric expressions.
Where Does It Come From?
Start with the substitution t=a+b−x.
- When x=a, t=b.
- When x=b, t=a.
- Also, dx=−dt.
So:
∫abf(x)dx=∫t=bt=af(a+b−t)(−dt)
Swap the limits (which flips the sign):
=∫abf(a+b−t)dt
Since the variable name doesn't matter, rename t back to x:
=∫abf(a+b−x)dx
The King Property is always true for any integrable function f over [a,b] — it's a direct consequence of substitution.
A Concrete Example
Evaluate I=∫0π/2sinx+cosxsinxdx.
Apply the King Property with a=0, b=π/2:
I=∫0π/2sin(π/2−x)+cos(π/2−x)sin(π/2−x)dx
Since sin(π/2−x)=cosx and cos(π/2−x)=sinx:
I=∫0π/2cosx+sinxcosxdx
Add the original I and this new I:
2I=∫0π/2sinx+cosxsinx+cosxdx=∫0π/21dx=2π
Thus I=4π.
When you see a definite integral with symmetric limits and a sum/difference of trig functions in the denominator, try the King Property. It often creates a "mirror" integral that adds nicely.
When to Use It (and When Not To)
Use it when:
- The integrand involves sinx, cosx, tanx over [0,π/2] or [0,π].
- f(a+b−x) simplifies nicely (e.g., sin becomes cos).
- You suspect the integral might be half of something simple.
Don't use it when:
- The function is already simple to integrate directly.
- The substitution makes the integrand more complicated (e.g., f(x)=ex over [0,1] gives e1−x, no easier). …
Using the tangent-subtraction formula shows g(π/4−x)=log2−g(x); applying the given property with this relation lets the integral be solved for algebraically. …
Use g(π/4−x)=log2−g(x) (from the tangent-subtraction formula) together with the given property to solve for the integral.
Given g(x)=log(1+tanx), evaluate I=∫0π/4g(x)dx using ∫0af(x)dx=∫0af(a−x)dx with a=4π.
tan(4π−x)=1+tanx1−tanx
1+tan(4π−x)=1+1+tanx1−tanx=1+tanx(1+tanx)+(1−tanx)=1+tanx2
g(4π−x)=log1+tanx2=log2−log(1+tanx)=log2−g(x)
By the given property:
…
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL2 marksQ.If f(x) is a continuous function defined on [0,a], then: ∫0af(x)dx=∫0af(a−x)dx. On the basis of the above property of definite integral, answer the following: f(x)=1+sinxcosxsinx−cosx. Evaluate: ∫0π/2f(x)dx
›Reveal solutionSolution
Show f(π/2−x)=−f(x), which forces the definite integral to equal its own negative, hence zero.
Given f(x)=1+sinxcosxsinx−cosx and the property ∫0af(x)dx=∫0af(a−x)dx with a=2π.
f(2π−x)=1+sin(2π−x)cos(2π−x)sin(2π−x)−cos(2π−x)=1+cosxsinxcosx−sinx=−f(x)
…
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL2 marksQ.(Continuing the definite-integral case study of Q.37) g(x)=log(1+tanx)dx. Evaluate: ∫0π/4g(x)dx
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use g(π/4−x)=log2−g(x) (from the tangent-subtraction formula) together with the given property to solve for the integral.
Given g(x)=log(1+tanx), evaluate I=∫0π/4g(x)dx using ∫0af(x)dx=∫0af(a−x)dx with a=4π.
tan(4π−x)=1+tanx1−tanx
1+tan(4π−x)=1+1+tanx1−tanx=1+tanx(1+tanx)+(1−tanx)=1+tanx2
g(4π−x)=log1+tanx2=log2−log(1+tanx)=log2−g(x)
By the given property:
…
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL2 marksQ.Using Integration, show that: ∫[a to b] f(x) dx = ∫[a to b] f(a + b − x) dx.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitute x=a+b−t into the left side; the limits swap and the integral reduces to the right side.
Let I=∫abf(x)dx.
Put x=a+b−t, so dx=−dt.
When x=a, t=b; when x=b, t=a.
I=∫baf(a+b−t)(−dt)=∫abf(a+b−t)dt
Since the definite integral's value does not depend on the name of the dummy variable, we may replace t by x:
…
- CBSE 2023Set ANNUAL2 marksQ.Evaluate: ∫0π/2sin4x+cos4xsin4xdx
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the property ∫0af(x)dx=∫0af(a−x)dx to show the integral equals its own complement, then solve.
Let I=∫0π/2sin4x+cos4xsin4xdx ... (1)
Using ∫0af(x)dx=∫0af(a−x)dx with a=2π, and sin(2π−x)=cosx, cos(2π−x)=sinx:
…
- CBSE 2020Set ANNUAL2 marksQ.Evaluate ∫0π/2sin3x+cos3xsin3xdx.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the property ∫0af(x)dx=∫0af(a−x)dx to show the integral equals its own complement, then solve for it.
Let I=∫0π/2sin3x+cos3xsin3xdx.
Using x→2π−x (so sinx→cosx, cosx→sinx):
I=∫0π/2cos3x+sin3xcos3xdx
Adding both expressions for I:
…
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