Q.Integrate the function 4−sin2xcosx
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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 substitute the inner function of the composition to simplify the square root.
Let u=sinx, so du=cosxdx. The integral becomes
∫4−u2du.
This is a standard form: ∫a2−u2du=arcsin(au)+C, with a=2. …
The integral ∫4−sin2xcosxdx is solved by substituting u=sinx, which transforms it into a standard arcsine form. The final result is sin−1(2sinx)+C.
Why U-Substitution Works Here
When you see a function like 4−sin2xcosx, the key is to notice that the numerator cosx is the derivative of sinx, which appears inside the square root. This is the classic signal for a u-substitution: if you set u=sinx, then du=cosxdx, and the entire integral simplifies into something you can handle with a standard formula.
The denominator 4−sin2x becomes 4−u2, which is exactly the form that leads to an inverse sine (arcsine) integral. No messy trigonometric identities or integration by parts needed — just a clean substitution.
Step-by-Step Solution
-
Set up the substitution.
Let u=sinx. Then differentiate: du=cosxdx. This directly replaces the numerator and the differential in the integral.
-
Rewrite the integral in terms of u.
The original integral is:
∫4−sin2xcosxdx
Substituting u=sinx and du=cosxdx gives:
∫4−u21du
- Recognize the standard form. The integral ∫a2−u2du is a standard result. For a>0, we have:
∫a2−u2du=sin−1(au)+C
Here, a2=4, so a=2.
∫a2−u2du=sin−1(au)+C
- Apply the formula. With a=2, the integral becomes:
∫4−u2du=sin−1(2u)+C
- Substitute back for x. Recall u=sinx, so: sin−1(2sinx)+C …
Method: u-substitution into the standard form ∫a2−u2du
Use this when the numerator is (a constant times) the derivative of a function that appears squared under a a2−(⋅)2 radical — it maps directly onto an arcsine.
Steps
Step 1: Spot the derivative pair.
Identify u so that du matches the numerator. Here cosxdx=d(sinx), so set u=sinx.
Step 2: Rewrite in the standard radical form.
The integral becomes ∫a2−u2du; read off a from the constant under the root (a2=4⇒a=2). …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Forgetting the a=2 inside the arcsine.
Why it's wrong: ∫4−u2du=sin−12u, so the answer is sin−12sinx, not sin−1(sinx). Correct approach: divide u by a=4=2.
Mistake 2: Misreading the sign under the root. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 16 on this concept.
- 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 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-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 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 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 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.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 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 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 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
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