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Q.By using properties of definite integral evaluate : ∫ from −1 to 2 of |x³ − x| dx.

Himachal HpboseHPBOSE Plus Two Board 2025Subjective· 3mImportance★★★★★
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Split the interval at the sign-changes of x3−x=x(x−1)(x+1)x^3-x=x(x-1)(x+1) (roots −1,0,1-1,0,1) and integrate each piece with the correct sign.

x3−x=x(x−1)(x+1)x^3-x=x(x-1)(x+1) has roots at x=−1,0,1x=-1,0,1. Testing signs:

  • On (−1,0)(-1,0): at x=−0.5x=-0.5, x3−x=0.375>0x^3-x=0.375>0, so x3−x≥0x^3-x\ge 0.
  • On (0,1)(0,1): at x=0.5x=0.5, x3−x=−0.375<0x^3-x=-0.375<0, so x3−x≤0x^3-x\le 0.
  • On (1,2)(1,2): at x=1.5x=1.5, x3−x=1.875>0x^3-x=1.875>0, so x3−x≥0x^3-x\ge 0.

So:

∫−12∣x3−x∣ dx=∫−10(x3−x)dx+∫01(x−x3)dx+∫12(x3−x)dx.\int_{-1}^{2}|x^3-x|\,dx = \int_{-1}^{0}(x^3-x)dx + \int_{0}^{1}(x-x^3)dx + \int_{1}^{2}(x^3-x)dx.

∫−10(x3−x)dx=[x44−x22]−10=0−(14−12)=14.\int_{-1}^{0}(x^3-x)dx = \left[\frac{x^4}{4}-\frac{x^2}{2}\right]_{-1}^{0} = 0-\left(\frac14-\frac12\right) = \frac14.

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