Q.Integrate the following function: tan4x
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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)∣ …
The key idea is to rewrite tan4x using the identity tan2x=sec2x−1, then integrate term by term.
Step 1: Write tan4x=tan2x⋅tan2x=(sec2x−1)tan2x.
Step 2: Expand: (sec2x−1)tan2x=sec2xtan2x−tan2x. …
The key idea is to rewrite tan4x as tan2x(sec2x−1) and then use the substitution u=tanx, which turns the integral into a simple polynomial. The final result is 31tan3x−tanx+x+C.
Why this approach works
When you see a high power of tanx, the natural reflex is to look for a way to reduce it. The identity tan2x=sec2x−1 is your best friend here, because sec2x is the derivative of tanx. That means if you can peel off one factor of tan2x and rewrite it as sec2x−1, the remaining expression becomes something you can integrate by substituting u=tanx.
The trick is to do this repeatedly until you're left with only powers of tanx and a single sec2x factor to absorb into the differential.
Step-by-step solution
- Rewrite the integrand using the identity. Start with tan4x=tan2x⋅tan2x. Replace one tan2x with sec2x−1:
tan4x=tan2x(sec2x−1)=tan2xsec2x−tan2x.
- Handle the tan2x term similarly. The second term, −tan2x, can be rewritten again using the same identity:
−tan2x=−(sec2x−1)=−sec2x+1.
So the whole integrand becomes:
tan4x=tan2xsec2x−sec2x+1.
- Set up the substitution. Let u=tanx. Then du=sec2xdx. This is perfect because we have a sec2x factor sitting next to tan2x in the first term. The integral splits into three parts:
∫tan4xdx=∫tan2xsec2xdx−∫sec2xdx+∫1dx.
- Integrate each term.
- For the first term: ∫tan2xsec2xdx=∫u2du=31u3=31tan3x. …
Method: Reduce a power of tan with tan2=sec2−1 repeatedly
Even powers of tanx have no direct antiderivative; peel off a tan2x and replace it with sec2x−1 each pass, generating a sec2x (easy) and a lower power of tan (recurse).
Steps
Step 1: Factor out one tan2x.
tan4x=tan2x⋅tan2x=tan2x(sec2x−1)=tan2xsec2x−tan2x
Step 2: Integrate the tan2xsec2x term by substitution.
Let u=tanx, du=sec2xdx, so ∫tan2xsec2xdx=∫u2du=31tan3x. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Writing ∫tan4xdx=5tan5x.
Why it's wrong: the power rule needs a sec2x differential factor that is not present. Correct approach: reduce with tan2x=sec2x−1, giving tan2xsec2x−tan2x.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the leftover ∫tan2xdx still needs reducing. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 16 on this concept.
- 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 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 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 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. …
- 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 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 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 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 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 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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