Q.Integrate the following function: x+xlogx1
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 key idea is U Substitution — noticing that the derivative of logx appears in the denominator.
Let u=logx. Then du=x1dx. The denominator x+xlogx=x(1+logx)=x(1+u).
The integral becomes:
∫x(1+u)1dx=∫1+u1du
Integrating:
∫1+u1du=log∣1+u∣+C
Substitute back u=logx:
log∣1+logx∣+C
The integral is log∣1+logx∣+C.
The key idea is to factor x from the denominator and then use the substitution u=1+logx, which simplifies the integral to ∫udu=log∣u∣+C. The final result is log∣1+logx∣+C.
We start with the integral:
∫x+xlogx1dx
The denominator has a common factor of x in both terms. Factor it out:
∫x(1+logx)1dx
Now, why would we think of substitution here? The expression 1+logx appears inside the denominator, and its derivative is x1, which is also present in the integrand. This is the classic signal for a u-substitution: when you see a function and its derivative (up to a constant factor) multiplied together.
Let u=1+logx. Then differentiate:
dxdu=x1⇒du=x1dx
The integral becomes:
∫x(1+logx)1dx=∫u1du
This is a standard integral:
∫u1du=log∣u∣+C
Now substitute back u=1+logx:
log∣1+logx∣+C
A common mistake is to forget the absolute value in the logarithm. Since logx is defined only for x>0, and 1+logx could be negative for 0<x<e−1, the absolute value is necessary for the general antiderivative. However, if the domain is restricted to x>e−1, you can drop the absolute value.
Notice that we didn't need to expand or simplify anything beyond factoring. The substitution u=1+logx works because the derivative of logx is 1/x, which cancels the x in the denominator perfectly. This is a textbook example of the "function-derivative" pattern.
The integral evaluates to log∣1+logx∣+C.
Method: Factor the denominator first, then substitute
Use this when a denominator can be factored to expose a g(x) whose derivative appears — here x+xlogx=x(1+logx).
Steps
Step 1: Factor to reveal the hidden structure.
x+xlogx1=x(1+logx)1=x1⋅1+logx1.
Step 2: Substitute the bracket.
Let u=1+logx; then du=x1dx, exactly the leftover x1dx. The integral becomes ∫udu.
Step 3: Integrate to a logarithm and back-substitute.
∫udu=log∣u∣+C⇒log∣1+logx∣+C.
Factoring is the move students miss — without it the x1dx pattern stays hidden.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Not factoring the denominator.
Why it's wrong: x+xlogx looks unfamiliar, but factoring to x(1+logx) reveals the x1 needed for substitution. Correct approach: always try to factor before deciding an integral is hard.
Mistake 2: Substituting u=logx instead of u=1+logx.
Why it's wrong: after factoring you have 1+logx1, so the cleaner substitution is u=1+logx (also giving du=x1dx). Correct approach: let u be the full bracket in the denominator.
Mistake 3: Forgetting the absolute value in the log.
Why it's wrong: ∫udu=log∣u∣+C. Correct approach: write log∣1+logx∣+C.
Showing the 12 most recent of 16 on this concept.
- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-A1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] ∫f(x)log(f(x))f′(x)dx is equal to
(A) f(x)logf(x)+C (B) log(logf(x))1+C (C) logf(x)f(x)+C (D) log(logf(x))+C›Reveal solutionSolution
The integral simplifies by substitution u=log(f(x)), leading directly to log(logf(x))+C, so the correct choice is (D).
Concept & Intuition
When you see a fraction where the numerator is the derivative of the denominator’s “inside,” a substitution is almost always the cleanest path. Here, the denominator is f(x)log(f(x)), and the numerator is f′(x). Notice that the derivative of log(f(x)) is f(x)f′(x), which appears in the integrand. That suggests setting u=log(f(x)), turning the whole integral into a simple ∫udu.
Step-by-step solution
- Identify the substitution Let u=log(f(x)). Then differentiate:
dxdu=f(x)f′(x)⇒du=f(x)f′(x)dx.
- Rewrite the integral The original integral is
∫f(x)log(f(x))f′(x)dx.
Factor the f(x) in the denominator:
∫log(f(x))f′(x)/f(x)dx.
Now substitute u=log(f(x)) and du=f(x)f′(x)dx:
∫udu.
- Integrate The integral ∫udu is a standard result:
∫udu=log∣u∣+C.
- Back-substitute Replace u with log(f(x)):
log∣log(f(x))∣+C.
Since f(x) is presumably positive (otherwise log(f(x)) wouldn’t be defined in real numbers), we can drop the absolute value:
log(logf(x))+C.
- Match with options This matches option (D) exactly.
Watch outA common mistake is to try integration by parts or to misidentify the derivative of log(f(x)) as f(x)1 instead of f(x)f′(x). Always check the chain rule carefully.
TipIf you ever see f(x)f′(x) in an integrand, think “logarithmic derivative.” That pattern almost always signals a substitution u=logf(x) or u=f(x).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D).
ANSWER: D
- COMEDK 2026Set 2026-M1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] ∫x(1+xex)x+1dx=
(A) log∣cxex(1+xex)∣ (B) log∣cxex(1+xex)∣ (C) logxexc(1+xex) (D) log1+xexcxex›Reveal solutionSolution
The integral simplifies by noticing the derivative of xex appears in the denominator; the result is log1+xexcxex, which matches option (D).
The key insight is that the integrand contains xex in the denominator, and the derivative of xex is ex(1+x). That derivative is almost exactly the numerator x+1, except for a factor of ex. This suggests a substitution or a clever split of the fraction to reveal a logarithmic derivative.
- Rewrite the integrand to expose the derivative of xex. Notice that
dxd(xex)=ex+xex=ex(1+x).
Our numerator is x+1, so we can write:
x(1+xex)x+1=ex⋅x(1+xex)ex(x+1)=xex(1+xex)ex(1+x).
The numerator is now exactly the derivative of xex.
- Perform a substitution. Let t=xex. Then dt=ex(1+x)dx. The integral becomes:
∫xex(1+xex)ex(1+x)dx=∫t(1+t)dt.
- Decompose the rational function. Use partial fractions:
t(1+t)1=t1−1+t1.
So the integral is:
∫(t1−1+t1)dt=log∣t∣−log∣1+t∣+C=log1+tt+C.
- Substitute back. Since t=xex, we have:
∫x(1+xex)x+1dx=log1+xexxex+C.
The constant C can be written as log∣c∣ to combine logs:
=log1+xexcxex.
TipThe trick is spotting that xex is a natural "inner function" because its derivative appears in the numerator after multiplying by ex. This is a classic pattern: whenever you see xex and x+1 together, think of the derivative of xex.
Watch outA common mistake is to try splitting the fraction as xx+1⋅1+xex1 and then integrating by parts — that leads nowhere. The substitution t=xex is the clean path.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D).
ANSWER: D
- COMEDK 2025Set 2025-A1 markMCQQ.∫(1+x2)etan−1x(1+x+x2)dx= (A) etan−1x+c (B) xetan−1x+c (C) (1+x2)etan−1x+c (D) (1+x2)xetan−1x+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
The integral simplifies by substituting u=tan−1x, which turns the expression into a sum of a standard exponential integral and a derivative-of-product pattern, yielding xetan−1x+C. The correct option is (B).
The key insight is that the denominator 1+x2 is exactly the derivative of tan−1x, so the substitution u=tan−1x is natural. Once we do that, the polynomial 1+x+x2 becomes something in terms of tanu, and we can split the integral into two recognizable pieces.
- Substitute u=tan−1x. Then du=1+x2dx, and x=tanu. The integral becomes
∫etan−1x⋅1+x21+x+x2dx=∫eu(1+tanu+tan2u)du.
- Simplify the trigonometric expression. Recall 1+tan2u=sec2u. So
1+tanu+tan2u=sec2u+tanu.
The integral is now
∫eu(sec2u+tanu)du.
- Split and recognize patterns.
∫eusec2udu+∫eutanudu.
Notice that dud(tanu)=sec2u. The first integral is of the form ∫euf′(u)du with f(u)=tanu, and the second is ∫euf(u)du.
- Use the product rule in reverse. For any differentiable f(u),
dud(euf(u))=euf′(u)+euf(u).
Here f(u)=tanu, so
dud(eutanu)=eusec2u+eutanu.
That is exactly our integrand. Therefore,
∫eu(sec2u+tanu)du=eutanu+C.
- Back-substitute u=tan−1x. Since tan(tan−1x)=x, we get
etan−1x⋅x+C=xetan−1x+C.
Watch outA common mistake is to try integrating by parts directly without the substitution, or to forget that 1+tan2u=sec2u, missing the neat cancellation.
TipThe pattern ∫eu(f′(u)+f(u))du=euf(u)+C is a powerful shortcut — it’s just the product rule in disguise.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B).
ANSWER: B
- COMEDK 2023Set 2023-M1 markMCQQ.∫2(1+x)3/2xdx is equal to (A) 1+x2+x+C (B) x1+x2+x+C (C) 1+xx+C (D) −1+xx+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
With u=1+x, the integral becomes 21∫(u−1/2−u−3/2)du=u1/2+u−1/2=1+x2+x+C.
∫2(1+x)3/2xdx. Let u=1+x⇒x=u−1, dx=du:
21∫u3/2u−1du=21∫(u−1/2−u−3/2)du.
=21(2u1/2+2u−1/2)=u1/2+u−1/2=1+x+1+x1.
Combine over a common denominator:
1+x(1+x)+1=1+x2+x+C.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A) — 1+x2+x+C
- COMEDK 2026Set 2026-M1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] ∫x2+x21elog(1+x21)dx=
(A) 21tan−1(x2x2+1)+C (B) 21tan−1(2xx2−1)+C (C) −21tan−1(x−x1)+C (D) 21tan−1(x−x1)+C›Reveal solutionSolution
The integrand simplifies dramatically using exponent rules and algebraic manipulation, leading to a standard arctangent integral; the correct antiderivative matches option (D).
We start with the integral
∫x2+x21elog(1+x21)dx.
Concept & Intuition
The presence of elog(⋯) is a huge clue: for any positive argument, elog(u)=u. That immediately collapses the numerator into something algebraic. Then the denominator is symmetric in x and 1/x, which often suggests a substitution like t=x−1/x because its derivative appears in the numerator. This is a classic trick for integrals involving x2+1/x2.
Step-by-step solution
- Simplify the exponential Since elog(u)=u for u>0 (and 1+1/x2>0 for all real x=0), we have
elog(1+x21)=1+x21.
So the integral becomes
∫x2+x211+x21dx.
- Rewrite numerator and denominator Multiply numerator and denominator by x2 to clear fractions:
x2+x211+x21=x4+1x2+1.
So the integral is
∫x4+1x2+1dx.
- Divide numerator and denominator by x2 This is the key algebraic trick:
x4+1x2+1=x2+x211+x21.
Notice that the numerator 1+1/x2 is the derivative of x−1/x (since dxd(x−1/x)=1+1/x2).
Also, x2+1/x2=(x−1/x)2+2.
- Substitute Let t=x−x1. Then
dt=(1+x21)dx.
And
x2+x21=t2+2.
The integral becomes
∫t2+2dt.
- Integrate This is a standard arctangent form:
∫t2+a2dt=a1tan−1(at)+C.
Here a=2, so
∫t2+2dt=21tan−1(2t)+C.
- Back-substitute Replace t with x−x1:
21tan−1(2x−x1)+C.
Simplify the argument:
2x−x1=2xx2−1.
So the antiderivative is
21tan−1(2xx2−1)+C.
TipNotice that option (B) has 2xx2−1 inside the arctan, but with a minus sign in front? Actually (B) is 21tan−1(2xx2−1)+C — that matches exactly! But wait, check (D): 21tan−1(x−x1)+C. Are these the same?
No: tan−1(x−1/x) is not equal to tan−1((x2−1)/(2x)) in general. However, our result has the 2 inside the arctan argument. Let’s re-check: we got 21tan−1(2x−1/x). That is not the same as 21tan−1(x−1/x). So (D) is missing the division by 2 inside. But (B) has exactly 2xx2−1 which is 2x−1/x. So (B) matches our result.
Watch outA common mistake is to forget the factor 1/2 inside the arctan argument. Option (D) tempts you by dropping it, but that would give a different derivative. Always check by differentiating.
Thus the correct choice is (B).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B).
ANSWER: B
- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-M1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] The value of ∫x+x−11dx is
(A) log(x+x−1)+sin−1(xx−1)+C (B) log(x+x−1)−32tan−1(32x−1+1)+C (C) log(x+x−1)+C (D) log(x−1+x−1)+31logx−2+3x−2−3+C›Reveal solutionSolution
The integral simplifies by substituting t=x−1, turning it into a rational function that integrates to a logarithm and an arctangent, matching option (B).
We are asked to evaluate
∫x+x−11dx.
The presence of x−1 suggests a substitution that removes the square root, turning the integrand into a rational function. The trick is to set t=x−1, so that x=t2+1 and dx=2tdt. This transforms the integral into a form we can handle with partial fractions or a standard arctangent formula.
Let’s work through it step by step.
- Substitute t=x−1. Then x=t2+1 and dx=2tdt. The denominator becomes
x+x−1=(t2+1)+t=t2+t+1.
So the integral becomes
∫t2+t+11⋅2tdt=2∫t2+t+1tdt.
- Prepare for integration by rewriting the numerator to match the derivative of the denominator. The derivative of t2+t+1 is 2t+1. We have 2t in the numerator, so write
2t=(2t+1)−1.
Then
2∫t2+t+1tdt=∫t2+t+12t+1dt−∫t2+t+11dt.
- First integral:
∫t2+t+12t+1dt=log∣t2+t+1∣+C1.
Since t2+t+1>0 for all real t, we can drop the absolute value.
- Second integral: Complete the square in the denominator:
t2+t+1=(t+21)2+43.
So
∫t2+t+11dt=∫(t+21)2+(23)21dt.
Using the formula ∫u2+a2du=a1tan−1(au), with u=t+21 and a=23, we get
∫t2+t+11dt=32tan−1(32t+1)+C2.
- Combine results:
2∫t2+t+1tdt=log(t2+t+1)−32tan−1(32t+1)+C.
- Back-substitute t=x−1:
t2+t+1=(x−1)+x−1+1=x+x−1.
Hence
∫x+x−11dx=log(x+x−1)−32tan−1(32x−1+1)+C.
This matches option (B) exactly.
Watch outA common mistake is to try a direct substitution like u=x+x−1, but that leads to a messy derivative. The substitution t=x−1 is cleaner because it eliminates the square root entirely.
TipNotice that the logarithm term log(x+x−1) appears in multiple options, so the distinguishing feature is the arctangent term with 32. That alone points to option (B).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B).
ANSWER: B
- COMEDK 2026Set 2026-A1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] ∫xx2+4dx=
(A) 41logx2+4+2x2+4−2+C (B) 41logx2+4−2x2+4+2+C (C) 21logx2+4−2x2+4+2+C (D) 21logx2+4+2x2+4−2+C›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting x=2tanθ gives 41logx2+4+2x2+4−2+C — option (A).
For ∫xx2+4dx put x=2tanθ, so dx=2sec2θdθ and x2+4=2secθ:
∫2tanθ⋅2secθ2sec2θdθ=21∫cscθdθ=21log∣cscθ−cotθ∣+C
With cscθ=xx2+4 and cotθ=x2:
=21logxx2+4−2+C
Since x2+4+2x2+4−2=x2(x2+4−2)2=(xx2+4−2)2, we can write
21logxx2+4−2=41logx2+4+2x2+4−2
✓Final answer∫xx2+4dx=41logx2+4+2x2+4−2+C — option (A).
- COMEDK 2021Set 2021-B1 markMCQQ.If ∫1−4x2xdx=ksin−1(2x)+c, then k is (A) 2log2 (B) log21 (C) 2log21 (D) log2
›Reveal solutionSolution
k=log21.
Let u=2x, so du=2xln2dx and 4x=u2. Then
∫1−4x2xdx=∫1−u2u⋅uln2du=ln21∫1−u2du=ln21sin−1u+c.
So the integral is log21sin−1(2x)+c, giving k=log21.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B) — log21
- COMEDK 2022Set 20221 markMCQQ.∫1−9x3xdx is equal to (A) (log3)sin−13x+C (B) 31sin−1(3x)+C (C) log31sin−13x+C (D) 3log3sin−13x+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
I = (1/log 3) * Integral du / sqrt(1 - u^2) = (1/log 3) * arcsin(u) + C = (1 / log 3) * sin^-1 (3^x) + C
Concept: Substitution reducing to the arcsin form, integral du/sqrt(1 - u^2) = arcsin u.
I = Integral of 3^x / sqrt(1 - 9^x) dx , and 9^x = (3^x)^2
Put u = 3^x => du = 3^x (log 3) dx => 3^x dx = du / log 3
I = (1/log 3) * Integral du / sqrt(1 - u^2)
= (1/log 3) * arcsin(u) + C
= (1 / log 3) * sin^-1 (3^x) + C
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — log31sin−13x+C
ANSWER: C
- COMEDK 2023Set 2023-M1 markMCQQ.∫1−16x4xdx is equal to (A) (log4)sin−14x+C (B) 41sin−1(4x)+C (C) log41sin−14x+C (D) 4log4sin−14+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Put u=4x so 16x=u2 and du=4xln4dx; the integral becomes ln41∫1−u2du=log41sin−1(4x)+C.
∫1−16x4xdx. Let u=4x⇒du=4xln4dx⇒4xdx=ln4du, and 16x=(4x)2=u2:
∫1−u21⋅ln4du=ln41sin−1u+C=log41sin−1(4x)+C.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — log41sin−14x+C
- COMEDK 2021Set 20211 markMCQQ.∫1−4x2xdx is equal to (A) (log2)sin−12x+C (B) 21sin−12x+C (C) log21sin−12x+C (D) 2log2sin−12x+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
I = (1/log 2) * integral du / sqrt(1 - u^2) = (1/log 2) * arcsin(u) + C = (1/log 2) * arcsin(2^x) + C.
Concept: substitution reducing the integrand to the standard form 1/sqrt(1 - u^2), whose integral is arcsin(u).
I = integral 2^x / sqrt(1 - 4^x) dx. Note 4^x = (2^x)^2.
Put u = 2^x. Then du = 2^x * log 2 dx, so 2^x dx = du / log 2.
I = (1/log 2) * integral du / sqrt(1 - u^2)
= (1/log 2) * arcsin(u) + C
= (1/log 2) * arcsin(2^x) + C.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — log21sin−12x+C
ANSWER: C
- COMEDK 2021Set 2021-B1 markMCQQ.∫1−cos3xcosx−cos3xdx= (A) −31log1−cos3/2x1+cos3/2x+c (B) −31logcos3/2x+1cos3/2x−1+c (C) −32sin−1(cos3/2x)+c (D) −32sin−1(cos3x)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
The integral equals −32sin−1(cos3/2x)+c.
Simplify the radicand: cosx−cos3x=cosx(1−cos2x)=cosxsin2x, so
1−cos3xcosx−cos3x=1−cos3xcosx∣sinx∣.
Let u=cos3/2x. Then dxdu=23cos1/2x⋅(−sinx)=−23cosxsinx, so cosxsinxdx=−32du, and 1−cos3x=1−u2.
Thus
∫1−u2cosxsinxdx=−32∫1−u2du=−32sin−1(u)+c=−32sin−1(cos3/2x)+c.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — −32sin−1(cos3/2x)+c
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