Q.Integrate the following function: x2+4x+6
Concept understanding — Integration By Completing Square
Integration by Completing the Square
You can integrate x2+11 or x2−a21 on sight. But a quadratic denominator such as x2+4x+5 fits neither standard form directly. The fix is to rewrite the quadratic as a perfect square plus (or minus) a constant, turning it into a form you already know.
The move
For x2+bx+c, add and subtract (2b)2:
x2+bx+c=(x+2b)2+(c−4b2).
After substituting u=x+2b the integral collapses to ∫u2+k2du or ∫u2−k2du.
Case A — leads to inverse tangent
∫x2+4x+5dx.
Complete the square: x2+4x+5=(x+2)2+1. With u=x+2,
∫u2+1du=tan−1u+C=tan−1(x+2)+C.
∫u2+a2du=a1tan−1au+C is the workhorse when the constant left over is positive.
Case B — leads to a logarithm
∫x2−6x+5dx.
Here x2−6x+5=(x−3)2−4. With u=x−3 the denominator u2−4 factors, so use partial fractions:
∫u2−4du=41logu+2u−2+C=41logx−1x−5+C.
After completing the square, the leftover constant decides the route: positive ⇒ inverse tangent; negative ⇒ difference of squares ⇒ logarithm via partial fractions. (If the leading coefficient is not 1, factor it out first.)
If the numerator is not constant, e.g. ∫x2+4x+5xdx, first split it to match the derivative of the denominator, then complete the square on what remains.
Completing the square before integrating a quadratic denominator is a named technique in the NCERT Class 12 Integrals chapter, used to route a problem toward either the inverse tangent formula or a logarithmic partial-fraction result. Students searching 'integration by completing the square examples class 12' or 'integral of 1 by x square plus bx plus c' will find this add-and-subtract-(b/2)² method is exactly the standard CBSE board approach.
Idea: complete the square, then apply the standard ∫u2+a2du formula.
x2+4x+6=(x+2)2+2,u=x+2,a2=2.
Standard result:
∫u2+a2du=2uu2+a2+2a2logu+u2+a2+C.
Here 2a2=22=1, so substituting back u=x+2:
∫x2+4x+6dx=2x+2x2+4x+6+logx+2+x2+4x+6+C.
2x+2x2+4x+6+logx+2+x2+4x+6+C
Complete the square to (x+2)2+2 and use the u2+a2 formula with a2=2, giving log coefficient 1: 2x+2x2+4x+6+logx+2+x2+4x+6+C.
Step 1 — Complete the square
Half of the middle coefficient 4 is 2, and (x+2)2=x2+4x+4, so
x2+4x+6=(x+2)2+2.
The integral becomes ∫(x+2)2+2dx, of the form u2+a2 with u=x+2 and a=2 (so a2=2).
Step 2 — The standard formula
∫u2+a2du=2uu2+a2+2a2logu+u2+a2+C.
With a2=2, the log coefficient is 2a2=22=1 — not 21. So
∫u2+2du=2uu2+2+logu+u2+2+C.
Step 3 — Substitute back
Replace u=x+2 and note (x+2)2+2=x2+4x+6:
∫x2+4x+6dx=2x+2x2+4x+6+logx+2+x2+4x+6+C.
The absolute value matters: the radical is always positive (discriminant 16−24<0), but x+2 can be negative, so the log argument needs ∣⋅∣.
2x+2x2+4x+6+logx+2+x2+4x+6+C
Method: Complete the square, then use a standard formula
To integrate quadratic, rewrite the quadratic as (x+p)2±a2 or a2−(x+p)2 by completing the square, substitute t=x+p, and quote the matching standard integral.
Steps
Step 1: Complete the square on the quadratic under the root, so it becomes (x+p)2+k for some constant k.
Step 2: Substitute t=x+p (so dt=dx); the integral becomes ∫t2±a2dt or ∫a2−t2dt.
Step 3: Apply the correct standard formula.
∫t2−a2dt=2tt2−a2−2a2logt+t2−a2+C,
∫t2+a2dt=2tt2+a2+2a2logt+t2+a2+C,
∫a2−t2dt=2ta2−t2+2a2sin−1at+C.
Step 4: Back-substitute t=x+p and simplify; keep C. The whole skill is matching the completed square to the right one of these three templates.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Completing the square wrongly: x2+4x+6=(x+2)2+6.
Why it's wrong: (x+2)2=x2+4x+4, so you must subtract the 4: x2+4x+6=(x+2)2+2. Correct approach: add and subtract (b/2)2.
Mistake 2: Using the a2−t2 (arcsin) formula for a + quadratic.
Why it's wrong: (x+2)2+2 is a t2+a2 form, giving a log, not sin−1. Correct approach: match the sign — a plus constant means the logarithmic template.
Mistake 3: Taking 2a2 as 2a (here a2=2).
Why it's wrong: the coefficient is 2a2=1, not 22. Correct approach: use a2, the constant itself, in the formula.
- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-M1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] ∫x2−4x+2dx=
(A) 21(x−2)x2−4x+2+log(x−2)+x2−4x+2+C (B) (x−2)x2−4x+2+21log(x−2)+x2−4x+2+C (C) 21(x−2)x2−4x+2−sin−12x−2+C (D) 21(x−2)x2−4x+2−log(x−2)+x2−4x+2+C›Reveal solutionSolution
Completing the square gives ∫(x−2)2−2dx; the standard formula yields 21(x−2)x2−4x+2−log∣(x−2)+x2−4x+2∣+C — option (D).
Solution
- Complete the square: x2−4x+2=(x−2)2−2, so
I=∫(x−2)2−2dx
- Put u=x−2, du=dx, with a2=2:
I=∫u2−2du
- Apply the standard result
∫u2−a2du=2uu2−a2−2a2logu+u2−a2+C
With a2=2 the coefficient 2a2=1:
I=2uu2−2−logu+u2−2+C
- Back-substitute u=x−2 and (x−2)2−2=x2−4x+2:
I=21(x−2)x2−4x+2−log(x−2)+x2−4x+2+C
The minus sign before the log comes directly from the standard formula, matching option (D).
✓Final answer21(x−2)x2−4x+2−log(x−2)+x2−4x+2+C — option (D).
ANSWER: D
- COMEDK 2021Set 2021-B1 markMCQQ.∫x2+2x+3x+2dx= (A) x2+2x+3+logx+x2+2x+3+c (B) x2+2x+3+221log(x+1)x2+2x+3+c (C) x2+2x+3+log(x+1)+x2+2x+3+c (D) x2+2x+3+21tan−1(2x+1)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
The integral is x2+2x+3+log∣(x+1)+x2+2x+3∣+c.
Write x+2=21(2x+2)+1. Then
∫x2+2x+3x+2dx=21∫x2+2x+32x+2dx+∫x2+2x+3dx.
The first integral is x2+2x+3. For the second, x2+2x+3=(x+1)2+2, so it equals log(x+1)+x2+2x+3. Adding:
x2+2x+3+log(x+1)+x2+2x+3+c.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — x2+2x+3+log(x+1)+x2+2x+3+c
- COMEDK 2025Set 2025-M1 markMCQQ.∫9+8x−x21dx=φ(x)+c then φ(x)= (A) 51sin−1(5x−4) (B) sin−1(5x−4) (C) 101log4+x4−x (D) log4+x4−x
›Reveal solutionSolution
The integral simplifies by completing the square in the denominator to the form ∫a2−(x−h)2dx, which yields an arcsine. The result is sin−1(5x−4), so the correct option is (B).
We are asked to find φ(x) such that ∫9+8x−x21dx=φ(x)+c.
Concept & Intuition
The integrand has a square root of a quadratic that is not a perfect square. The standard technique is to rewrite the quadratic inside the square root by completing the square, so that it resembles a2−(x−h)2 or (x−h)2+a2. Here, the negative x2 term suggests a downward-opening parabola, so completing the square will give a difference-of-squares form. That form matches the derivative of sin−1 or cos−1, because dxdsin−1(ax−h)=a2−(x−h)21.
Step-by-step solution
- Complete the square inside the radical. Start with 9+8x−x2. Factor out a negative from the x-terms:
9+8x−x2=9−(x2−8x).
Complete the square for x2−8x: half of −8 is −4, square gives 16, so
x2−8x=(x−4)2−16.
Substitute back:
9−[(x−4)2−16]=9−(x−4)2+16=25−(x−4)2.
So the integral becomes
∫25−(x−4)2dx.
- Recognize the standard form. The expression 25−(x−4)2 matches a2−u2 with a=5 and u=x−4. The known antiderivative is
∫a2−u2du=sin−1(au)+C.
- Apply the formula. Here du=dx, so
∫25−(x−4)2dx=sin−1(5x−4)+C.
Hence φ(x)=sin−1(5x−4).
TipA common mistake is to forget the factor from the chain rule when the quadratic has a coefficient on x2. Here, completing the square directly gives the perfect a2−u2 form, so no extra constant appears — the arcsine comes out clean.
Watch outOption (A) has 51sin−1(…) — that would arise if the derivative of the inside gave a factor of 1/5, but here d/dx[(x−4)/5]=1/5, and the arcsine derivative already accounts for that: dxdsin−1(u)=1−u2u′, so the 1/5 cancels. No extra factor remains.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B).
ANSWER: B
- COMEDK 2026Set 2026-M1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] ∫2ax−x2dx=
(A) 2x−a2ax−x2+2a2cos−1(ax−a)+C (B) 2a22ax−x2+2x−asin−1(ax−a)+C (C) 2x−a2ax−x2+2a2sin−1(ax−a)+C (D) 2a22ax−x2+2x−acos−1(ax−a)+C›Reveal solutionSolution
The integral ∫2ax−x2dx is solved by completing the square to get a2−(x−a)2, then using a trigonometric substitution x−a=asinθ; the result is 2x−a2ax−x2+2a2sin−1(ax−a)+C, which matches option (C).
Concept and Intuition
The expression under the square root, 2ax−x2, is a quadratic in x that is not a perfect square. The standard trick for integrating quadratic is to complete the square so it becomes something like a2−(x−h)2 or (x−h)2+k2. Once we have the form a2−u2, the substitution u=asinθ (or u=acosθ) turns the integral into a simple trigonometric one. The final answer will involve an inverse sine (or cosine) and a term like 2ua2−u2.
Step-by-step solution
- Complete the square
2ax−x2=−(x2−2ax)=−[(x−a)2−a2]=a2−(x−a)2.
So the integral becomes
∫a2−(x−a)2dx.
- Choose a substitution Let u=x−a, so du=dx. Then
∫a2−u2du.
This is a classic form. The natural substitution is u=asinθ, with −2π≤θ≤2π (so that cosθ≥0). Then du=acosθdθ, and
a2−u2=a2−a2sin2θ=a1−sin2θ=a∣cosθ∣=acosθ.
- Transform the integral
∫a2−u2du=∫(acosθ)(acosθdθ)=a2∫cos2θdθ.
- Integrate cos2θ Use the identity cos2θ=21+cos2θ:
a2∫21+cos2θdθ=2a2(θ+2sin2θ)+C=2a2θ+4a2sin2θ+C.
- Back-substitute in terms of u Since sin2θ=2sinθcosθ, we have
4a2sin2θ=2a2sinθcosθ.
Now sinθ=au and cosθ=aa2−u2 (positive because of our range). So
2a2sinθcosθ=2a2⋅au⋅aa2−u2=2ua2−u2.
Also θ=sin−1(au).
- Return to x Recall u=x−a, so
∫2ax−x2dx=2a2sin−1(ax−a)+2x−aa2−(x−a)2+C.
But a2−(x−a)2=2ax−x2, so the final result is
2x−a2ax−x2+2a2sin−1(ax−a)+C.
- Match with options This matches option (C) exactly.
TipA common mistake is to use cos−1 instead of sin−1. Notice that sin−1(ax−a) and cos−1(ax−a) differ by a constant, but the constant matters when combined with the other term. Only option (C) has the correct pairing of 2x−a⋯ with sin−1.
Watch outIf you try u=acosθ, you'll get a cos−1 form, but then the sign of the derivative changes; the result would differ by a constant, so it's not equivalent unless you adjust the constant of integration. Always check the standard form: ∫a2−u2du=2ua2−u2+2a2sin−1(u/a)+C.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C).
ANSWER: C
- COMEDK 2025Set 2025-A1 markMCQQ.∫x4x2−9dx= (A) 32logx+3x−3+c (B) 34tan−1(34x2−9)+c (C) 32logx−3x+3+c (D) 31tan−1(34x2−9)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
The integral ∫x4x2−9dx is a standard form solved by the substitution x=23secθ, leading to the result 31tan−1(34x2−9)+c, which corresponds to option (D).
Concept & Intuition
When we see 4x2−9, it resembles a2x2−b2, which suggests a secant substitution. The idea: let x=23secθ so that 4x2−9=9sec2θ−9=9tan2θ, and the square root simplifies to 3∣tanθ∣. This turns the integral into a simple trigonometric form. The key is recognizing that the denominator x4x2−9 becomes 23secθ⋅3tanθ, and dx=23secθtanθdθ, so the whole thing collapses nicely.
Step-by-step solution
- Set up the substitution Let x=23secθ, where θ∈[0,π/2)∪(π/2,π] (we take the principal branch where tanθ≥0 for x≥3/2). Then
dx=23secθtanθdθ.
- Simplify the square root
4x2−9=4(49sec2θ)−9=9sec2θ−9=9(sec2θ−1)=9tan2θ.
Hence 4x2−9=3∣tanθ∣. For x≥3/2, θ∈[0,π/2), so tanθ≥0 and we can drop the absolute value: 4x2−9=3tanθ.
- Rewrite the integral
∫x4x2−9dx=∫23secθ⋅3tanθ23secθtanθdθ=∫23secθ⋅3tanθ23secθtanθdθ=∫3dθ.
- Integrate
∫3dθ=31θ+c.
-
Back-substitute
Since x=23secθ, we have secθ=32x, so θ=sec−1(32x). But we can express this in terms of tan−1:
From sec2θ=1+tan2θ, we get tanθ=sec2θ−1=94x2−1=34x2−9.
Thus θ=tan−1(34x2−9).
-
Final result
∫x4x2−9dx=31tan−1(34x2−9)+c.
Watch outA common mistake is to use the substitution x=23sinθ or x=23cosθ, but those work for a2−x2 forms, not x2−a2. Always match the form: x2−a2 calls for secant (or hyperbolic cosine).
TipIf you prefer, you can also use the hyperbolic substitution x=23coshu, since cosh2u−1=sinh2u, and the integral becomes 31u+c=31cosh−1(32x)+c, which is equivalent to the arctan form up to a constant.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D).
ANSWER: D
- COMEDK 2022Set 20221 markMCQQ.∫xax−x21dx is (A) a−3xa−x+C (B) −a2a−xx+C (C) a−2xa−x+C (D) None of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
Therefore the integral is -(2/a) sqrt((a - x)/x) + C.
Concept: Standard integral - verify by differentiating the candidates.
Claim: d/dx [ -(2/a) * sqrt((a - x)/x) ] = 1 / (x sqrt(ax - x^2))
Let u = (a - x)/x = a/x - 1, so du/dx = -a/x^2.
d/dx [ sqrt(u) ] = (1/(2 sqrt u)) * (-a/x^2)
d/dx [ -(2/a) sqrt(u) ] = -(2/a) * ( -a / (2 x^2 sqrt u) ) = 1 / (x^2 sqrt u)
Now x^2 sqrt u = x^2 * sqrt((a-x)/x) = x^2 * sqrt(a-x)/sqrt(x) = x^(3/2) sqrt(a - x) = x * sqrt(x(a-x)) = x sqrt(ax - x^2).
Hence d/dx [ -(2/a) sqrt((a-x)/x) ] = 1 / (x sqrt(ax - x^2)) - exactly the integrand.
Therefore the integral is -(2/a) sqrt((a - x)/x) + C.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — a−2xa−x+C
ANSWER: C
- COMEDK 2023Set 2023-E1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] ∫cosecx−1dx=
(A) logsinx+sin2x+sinx+c (B) logsinx+1+2sin2x+sinx+c (C) logsinx+21+sin2x+sinx+c (D) logsinx+21+sin2x+21+sinx+c›Reveal solutionSolution
Rationalising, cscx−1=sin2x+sinxcosx; with s=sinx the integral becomes ∫s2+sds=logsinx+21+sin2x+sinx+c.
Write cscx−1=sinx1−sinx and multiply inside the root by 1+sinx1+sinx:
sinx1−sinx=sinx(1+sinx)1−sin2x=sin2x+sinxcosx.
Let s=sinx, ds=cosxdx:
∫s2+sds=∫(s+21)2−41ds=logs+21+s2+s+c.
Back-substituting s=sinx:
logsinx+21+sin2x+sinx+c.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — logsinx+21+sin2x+sinx+c
- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-E1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] The value of ∫2x−x2dx is
(A) sin−1(x−1)+C (B) sin−1(2x−1)+C (C) sin−1(x+1)+C (D) −2x−x2+C›Reveal solutionSolution
The integral simplifies by completing the square inside the square root, leading to a standard arcsine form. The correct result is sin−1(x−1)+C, which corresponds to option (A).
Concept & Intuition
When you see a quadratic inside a square root in an integral, your first instinct should be: complete the square. The expression 2x−x2 is a quadratic that opens downward. Rewriting it as 1−(x−1)2 reveals the classic form a2−u21, whose antiderivative is sin−1(u/a). The shift x−1 is the key.
Step-by-step solution
- Complete the square Start with 2x−x2. Factor out a negative:
2x−x2=−(x2−2x)=−(x2−2x+1−1)=−[(x−1)2−1]=1−(x−1)2.
So the integral becomes
∫1−(x−1)2dx.
- Recognize the standard form The integrand is now 1−u21 with u=x−1. The derivative of sin−1u is 1−u21, so
∫1−u2du=sin−1u+C.
- Substitute back Since u=x−1, we get
∫2x−x2dx=sin−1(x−1)+C.
- Match with options This matches option (A) exactly.
TipA common mistake is to forget the shift: students often try to use sin−1(x) directly, but the x−1 is essential because the quadratic’s vertex is at x=1.
Watch outOption (B) sin−1(2x−1) would arise from incorrectly completing the square as (2x−1)2 — but that’s not the right pattern here. Option (C) shifts the wrong way, and (D) is the derivative of the integrand’s inside, not its antiderivative.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A).
ANSWER: A
- KCET 2021Set A-11 markMCQQ.∫1+x8x3sin(tan−1(x4))dx is equal to (A) 4−cos(tan−1(x4))+C (B) 4cos(tan−1(x4))+C (C) 3−cos(tan−1(x3))+C (D) 4sin(tan−1(x4))+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
The integral simplifies by substituting u=tan−1(x4), which turns the integrand into a standard sine form. The final result is 4−cos(tan−1(x4))+C, matching option (A).
The key insight here is that the integrand contains a composition of functions that suggests a substitution. Notice the argument of sine is tan−1(x4), and the denominator has 1+x8. The derivative of tan−1(x4) is 1+x84x3, which appears almost exactly in the numerator — we have x3 and 1+x8, just missing the factor of 4. This is a classic setup for a substitution that turns the integral into something like ∫sinudu.
Let’s work through it step by step.
- Choose the substitution. Let u=tan−1(x4). Then differentiate:
dxdu=1+(x4)21⋅4x3=1+x84x3.
Rearranging gives:
du=1+x84x3dx.
- Rewrite the integral in terms of u. The original integral is:
I=∫1+x8x3sin(tan−1(x4))dx.
We have du=1+x84x3dx, so 1+x8x3dx=4du.
Also, sin(tan−1(x4))=sinu.
Therefore:
I=∫sinu⋅4du=41∫sinudu.
- Integrate. The integral of sinu is −cosu, so:
I=41(−cosu)+C=−4cosu+C.
- Substitute back. Since u=tan−1(x4), we get:
I=−4cos(tan−1(x4))+C.
Watch outA common mistake is to forget the factor of 4 from the derivative of tan−1(x4). If you miss it, you might end up with 1−cos(tan−1(x4))+C, which is not among the options but looks tempting. Always check the derivative of the inner function.
TipYou don’t need to simplify cos(tan−1(x4)) further — it’s already in its cleanest form for the answer. But if you ever need to, recall that cos(tan−1t)=1+t21, so here it would be 1+x81. That’s a nice check: the answer becomes −41+x81+C, which is a perfectly valid alternative form.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A): 4−cos(tan−1(x4))+C.
- KCET 2019Set A-11 markMCQQ.∫(x−1)(x+2)(x−3)2x−1dx=Alog∣x−1∣+Blog∣x+2∣+Clog∣x−3∣+K ಆದಾಗ A, B, C ಗಳು ಅನುಕ್ರಮವಾಗಿ (A) 6−1,31,2−1 (B) 61,31,51 (C) 61,3−1,31 (D) 6−1,3−1,21
›Reveal solutionSolution
Partial fractions give A=−61, B=−31, C=21 — option (D).
Write
(x−1)(x+2)(x−3)2x−1=x−1A+x+2B+x−3C,
so that 2x−1=A(x+2)(x−3)+B(x−1)(x−3)+C(x−1)(x+2).
Using the cover-up method (substitute each root):
- x=1:2(1)−1=A(3)(−2) ⇒ 1=−6A ⇒ A=−61.
- x=−2:2(−2)−1=B(−3)(−5) ⇒ −5=15B ⇒ B=−31.
- x=3:2(3)−1=C(2)(5) ⇒ 5=10C ⇒ C=21.
Integrating term by term,
∫(x−1)(x+2)(x−3)2x−1dx=−61log∣x−1∣−31log∣x+2∣+21log∣x−3∣+K.
✓Final answerA=−61, B=−31, C=21 — option (D).
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