Q.Integrate the function ax+b
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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)∣ …
Concept: U Substitution — we set u equal to the expression inside the square root to simplify the integral.
Let u=ax+b. Then du=adx, so dx=adu.
The integral becomes:
∫u⋅adu=a1∫u1/2du
Integrate: …
The key idea is to use the substitution u=ax+b, which simplifies the square root into a power of u. The integral becomes 3a2(ax+b)3/2+C.
Why U-Substitution Works Here
When you see a composite function like ax+b, your first instinct should be to look for an "inner function" that you can replace with a single variable. The square root is an "outer" operation applied to the linear expression ax+b. If we let u=ax+b, then the square root becomes u, which is just u1/2 — a simple power function we know how to integrate.
The real magic is that the derivative of ax+b is a constant a, so du=adx gives us a clean way to replace dx as well. No messy chain rule to untangle — just a straight substitution.
Always check if the derivative of your chosen u appears (up to a constant factor) in the original integral. Here, du=adx means we can solve for dx=adu, and the constant a just factors out.
Step-by-Step Solution
1. Choose the substitution.
Let u=ax+b. This is the expression inside the square root. The entire integral is ∫ax+bdx, so replacing ax+b with u gives ∫udx — but we still have dx, not du.
2. Find du in terms of dx.
Differentiate u with respect to x:
dxdu=a
So du=adx, which means dx=adu.
3. Rewrite the integral entirely in u.
Substitute dx and the square root:
∫ax+bdx=∫u⋅adu=a1∫u1/2du …
Method: Substitution for a Linear Inner Function
Use this whenever a single linear expression ax+b sits inside another operation (a root, a power, an exponential): replace the whole linear chunk with one new variable.
Steps
Step 1: Set u equal to the linear expression.
Let u=ax+b. Then du=adx, so dx=adu. Because the derivative of a linear expression is the constant a, the swap is clean — no leftover x terms remain.
Step 2: Rewrite the whole integral in u. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Forgetting the a1 factor from dx=adu.
Why it's wrong: substitution changes dx, and skipping the a1 scales the whole answer wrongly. Correct approach: always compute du and solve for dx before substituting.
Mistake 2: Leaving the answer in terms of u. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 16 on this concept.
- 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. …
- 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. …
- 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) …
- 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:
- COMEDK 2021Set 20211 markMCQQ.Integral of ∫x2[1+x4]3/4dx. (A) −4(x1/4+1)1/4+C (B) 4(x1/4+1)1/4+C (C) 4(x4+1)1/4+C (D) None of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
The result -(x^4 + 1)^(1/4)/x + C matches none of options (A), (B), (C) (they are missing the 1/x factor, and (A)/(B) even have x^(1/4)).
Concept: for integrands of the form 1/(x^2 (1 + x^4)^(3/4)), take x^4 out of the bracket and substitute u = 1 + x^(-4).
(1 + x^4)^(3/4) = x^3 (1 + x^(-4))^(3/4) (for x > 0).
So the integrand = 1 / [ x^2 * x^3 * (1 + x^(-4))^(3/4) ] = x^(-5) (1 + x^(-4))^(-3/4).
Let u = 1 + x^(-4) => du = -4 x^(-5) dx => x^(-5) dx = -du/4.
I = -(1/4) * integral u^(-3/4) du = -(1/4) * (u^(1/4)/(1/4)) + C = -u^(1/4) + C
= -(1 + x^(-4))^(1/4) + C
= -((x^4 + 1)/x^4)^(1/4) + C
= -(x^4 + 1)^(1/4) / x + C.
Check by differentiating: d/dx [ -(1 + x^4)^(1/4) x^(-1) ] = -(1/4)(1 + x^4)^(-3/4)(4x^3)x^(-1) + (1 + x^4)^(1/4) x^(-2) …
- 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 …
- 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: …
- 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 …
- 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. …
- 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
- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-M1 markMCQQ.If ∫sin3xcosx1dx=tanxk+c then the value of k is (A) −2 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) −1
›Reveal solutionSolution
The integral simplifies by rewriting the integrand in terms of tanx, leading to a straightforward power rule integration; comparing the result with the given form shows k=−2.
We are given
∫sin3xcosx1dx=tanxk+c
and need to find k.
Concept and intuition
The integrand mixes powers of sinx and cosx. A classic trick is to express everything in terms of tanx (or cotx) because the derivative of tanx is sec2x, which itself is 1/cos2x. This often turns messy trigonometric integrals into simple power rules. Here, the presence of tanx on the right side is a strong hint: the integrand likely simplifies to something like (tanx)−3/2⋅sec2x, whose antiderivative is a constant times (tanx)−1/2.
Let’s work it out step by step.
- Rewrite the integrand using tanx.
sin3xcosx1=sin3/2x⋅cos1/2x1
Divide numerator and denominator by cos3/2x (a common trick to introduce tanx):
=cos3/2x⋅tan3/2x⋅cos1/2x1=cos2x⋅tan3/2x1
because cos3/2x⋅cos1/2x=cos2x.
Since 1/cos2x=sec2x, we have:
sin3xcosx1=tan3/2xsec2x.
- Set up the substitution. Let u=tanx. Then du=sec2xdx. The integral becomes:
∫tan3/2xsec2xdx=∫u3/2du=∫u−3/2du.
- Integrate using the power rule. ∫u−3/2du=−3/2+1u−3/2+1=−1/2u−1/2=−2u−1/2+C. …
- 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. …
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