Skip to content
Exercise 7.5 · Q16

Q.Integrate the following function: 1x(xn+1)\frac{1}{x(x^n + 1)} [Hint: multiply numerator and denominator by xn−1x^{n-1} and put xn=tx^n = t]

Karnataka PUCTextbookSubjective· 3mImportance★★★★★
38% · 142/373 Questions
🔒 Locked · start free trial →

You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.

Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →

The trick is to multiply by xn−1x^{n-1} so the substitution xn=tx^n = t makes the denominator factor nicely, turning the integral into a standard partial-fractions form. The final result is 1nlog⁡∣xnxn+1∣+C\frac{1}{n} \log\left|\frac{x^n}{x^n+1}\right| + C.

Why this approach works

When you see a function like 1x(xn+1)\frac{1}{x(x^n+1)}, the denominator is a product of xx and a binomial in xnx^n. Direct substitution of xn=tx^n = t is tempting, but dxdx doesn't play nicely with dtdt unless we adjust the integrand first. The hint — multiply numerator and denominator by xn−1x^{n-1} — is the key move. Why xn−1x^{n-1}? Because xn−1dxx^{n-1} dx is exactly 1ndt\frac{1}{n} dt when t=xnt = x^n. That turns the integral into something rational in tt, which we can split using partial fractions.

Let's walk through it.


  1. Multiply numerator and denominator by xn−1x^{n-1}

    We start with:

I=∫1x(xn+1) dxI = \int \frac{1}{x(x^n + 1)} \, dx

Multiply top and bottom by xn−1x^{n-1}:

I=∫xn−1x⋅xn−1(xn+1) dx=∫xn−1xn(xn+1) dxI = \int \frac{x^{n-1}}{x \cdot x^{n-1} (x^n + 1)} \, dx = \int \frac{x^{n-1}}{x^n (x^n + 1)} \, dx

The denominator is now xn(xn+1)x^n (x^n + 1) — a product of two factors, each a power of xnx^n. That's the signal: substitute t=xnt = x^n.

  1. Perform the substitution xn=tx^n = t

    Differentiate: nxn−1dx=dtn x^{n-1} dx = dt, so xn−1dx=1ndtx^{n-1} dx = \frac{1}{n} dt. The integral becomes:

I=∫1t(t+1)⋅1n dt=1n∫1t(t+1) dtI = \int \frac{1}{t(t+1)} \cdot \frac{1}{n} \, dt = \frac{1}{n} \int \frac{1}{t(t+1)} \, dt

Clean and simple.

  1. Decompose into partial fractions

    We need to split 1t(t+1)\frac{1}{t(t+1)}. Write:

1t(t+1)=At+Bt+1\frac{1}{t(t+1)} = \frac{A}{t} + \frac{B}{t+1}

Multiply through by t(t+1)t(t+1):

1=A(t+1)+Bt1 = A(t+1) + Bt

Solve for AA and BB. Set t=0t = 0: 1=A(1)⇒A=11 = A(1) \Rightarrow A = 1. Set t=−1t = -1: 1=B(−1)⇒B=−11 = B(-1) \Rightarrow B = -1. So:

1t(t+1)=1t−1t+1\frac{1}{t(t+1)} = \frac{1}{t} - \frac{1}{t+1} …

Unlock everything free for 14 days

  • Full step-by-step solutions
  • Concept-first explanations
  • Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
  • PYQ mapping + timed mock tests

Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.