Q.∫02πcosec7xdx=
(A) 0
(B) 1
(C) 4
(D) 2π
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Definite Integral Symmetry
Definite Integral Symmetry: The Shortcut That Saves You Work
Asked to find the area under f(x)=x3 from x=−2 to x=2? You could integrate directly — but there's a much faster way if you notice the symmetry of the graph.
The Intuition: What Does "Symmetry" Mean Here?
A function can be symmetric about the y-axis (like x2 or cosx) or about the origin (like x3 or sinx). When you integrate over a symmetric interval — from −a to a — these symmetries create a predictable cancellation or doubling.
Even functions (symmetric about the y-axis): f(−x)=f(x) — think x2, x4, cosx, ∣x∣. The left side mirrors the right, so the area from −a to 0 equals the area from 0 to a. The total is double the area on one side.
Odd functions (symmetric about the origin): f(−x)=−f(x) — think x3, x5, sinx, tanx. The left side is the negative mirror of the right, so every positive area on the right is cancelled by an equal negative area on the left. The total is zero.
This only works when the limits are symmetric about zero — from −a to a. For [0,a] or [1,3], symmetry doesn't help directly.
The Precise Statement
Let f be continuous on [−a,a].
- If f is even (f(−x)=f(x)), then ∫−aaf(x)dx=2∫0af(x)dx
- If f is odd (f(−x)=−f(x)), then ∫−aaf(x)dx=0
∫−aaf(x)dx={2∫0af(x)dx0if f is evenif f is odd
Why Does This Work? (A Quick Proof)
Split at zero:
∫−aaf(x)dx=∫−a0f(x)dx+∫0af(x)dx
For the first term substitute u=−x (dx=−du; x=−a→u=a, x=0→u=0):
∫−a0f(x)dx=∫0af(−u)du
Now use symmetry:
- If f is even, f(−u)=f(u), so this becomes ∫0af(u)du; adding the second term gives 2∫0af(x)dx.
- If f is odd, f(−u)=−f(u), so this becomes −∫0af(u)du; adding the second term gives 0.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't assume symmetry without checking. A "balanced"-looking function need not be even or odd — e.g. f(x)=x2+x is neither, so these formulas don't apply. Always verify f(−x)=f(x) or f(−x)=−f(x) for all x.
The interval must be [−a,a]. If the limits are [−2,3], symmetry doesn't apply directly — split the integral or shift variables.
Examples to Cement the Idea
Example 1: ∫−33x4dx — x4 is even, so
∫−33x4dx=2∫03x4dx=2[5x5]03=2⋅5243=5486 …
The key idea is Definite Integral Symmetry: for an odd function about the midpoint of a symmetric interval, the integral is zero.
Step 1: The integrand is csc7x=sin7x1.
Step 2: Over [0,2π], sinx is symmetric about x=π: sin(π+t)=−sin(π−t). Hence csc7(π+t)=−csc7(π−t), making the function odd about x=π. …
csc7x is odd about x=π, and [0,2π] is symmetric about π, so the two halves cancel and the integral is 0 — option (A).
Let I=∫02πcsc7xdx.
Key symmetry. Because sin(x+π)=−sinx and the power 7 is odd,
csc7(x+π)=sin7(x+π)1=(−sinx)71=−csc7x,
so the integrand is odd about the line x=π.
Split at the midpoint.
I=∫0πcsc7xdx+∫π2πcsc7xdx.
In the second integral substitute x=π+t (so dx=dt; x=π⇒t=0, x=2π⇒t=π):
∫π2πcsc7xdx=∫0πcsc7(π+t)dt=−∫0πcsc7tdt. …
Method: Odd symmetry about the centre of the interval
Use this when a definite integral over a full or symmetric interval has an integrand that flips sign under reflection about the interval's midpoint — the two halves then cancel to 0 without any antiderivative.
Steps
Step 1: Identify the midpoint c of the interval [a,b].
c=2a+b.
Step 2: Test the integrand's behaviour under x→2c−x (or x→x+half-period).
If f(2c−x)=−f(x), the graph is odd about x=c. For trigonometric powers, use identities like sin(x+π)=−sinx; an odd power of such a term inherits the sign flip.
Step 3: Split at the midpoint and substitute.
I=∫acfdx+∫cbfdx, …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Assuming symmetry gives 0 without checking the sign flip.
Why it's wrong: the cancellation needs f(2c−x)=−f(x); an even power like csc6x would instead double, not vanish. Correct approach: confirm the power is odd and that sin(x+π)=−sinx genuinely flips the sign.
Mistake 2: Using even/odd rules meant for [−a,a] blindly.
Why it's wrong: the textbook rule ∫−aa(odd)=0 is about symmetry around 0; here the symmetry is about x=π, the midpoint of [0,2π]. Correct approach: reflect about the actual midpoint c=π, not about the origin. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 28 on this concept.
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04184 marksMCQQ.The value of ∫02πx(2π−x)sin2xdx is equal to (A) π (B) 2π (C) 4π (D) 8π (E) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
The substitution x→2π−x flips the sign of sin2x while leaving x(2π−x) unchanged, so the integrand is antisymmetric about x=π and the integral vanishes. …
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04274 marksMCQQ.∫−π/2π/2(x5+x3+x)cosxdx= (A) 4π (B) π (C) 32π (D) 2π (E) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
The integrand is an odd function on a symmetric interval, so the integral is 0.
Let g(x)=(x5+x3+x)cosx. Here x5+x3+x is odd and cosx is even, so
g(−x)=(−x5−x3−x)cosx=−g(x),
i.e. g is odd. …
- KEAM 2024Set eng-2024-06054 marksMCQQ.The value of ∫0π/2sin2024x+cos2024xcos2024xdx is equal to (A) 4π (B) 2π (C) 2π (D) π (E) 3π
›Reveal solutionSolution
Apply x→2π−x and add to get 2I=2π.
Let I=∫0π/2sin2024x+cos2024xcos2024xdx. Using x→2π−x swaps sine and cosine:
I=∫0π/2sin2024x+cos2024xsin2024xdx. …
- KEAM 2024Set eng-2024-06094 marksMCQQ.∫−π/2π/2sin9xcos2xdx= (A) 32 (B) 1 (C) 111 (D) 67π (E) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
sin9x is odd and cos2x is even, so the product is odd; integrating an odd function over [−2π,2π] gives 0.
Let g(x)=sin9xcos2x. Then g(−x)=sin9(−x)cos2(−x)=−sin9xcos2x=−g(x), so g is odd. …
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04194 marksMCQQ.If I=∫−11(1−x4x4)cos−1(1+x22x)dx, then 2I is equal to (A) π∫−111−x4x4dx (B) 2π∫−111−x4x4dx (C) ∫−111−x4x4dx (D) π∫−111+x4x4dx (E) −π∫−111−x4x4dx
›Reveal solutionSolution
The weight x4/(1−x4) is even, and cos−11+x22x satisfies g(x)+g(−x)=π; combining I with its x→−x copy gives 2I=π∫−111−x4x4dx.
Let f(x)=1−x4x4, which is even, and g(x)=cos−1(1+x22x).
Since 1+x22(−x)=−1+x22x and cos−1(−a)=π−cos−1(a),
g(−x)=π−g(x)⇒g(x)+g(−x)=π. …
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04224 marksMCQQ.The value of ∫0π/2cos11x+sin11xcos11xdx is equal to (A) π (B) 23π (C) 2π (D) 4π (E) 2π
›Reveal solutionSolution
Apply ∫0af(x)dx=∫0af(a−x)dx with a=π/2; adding gives twice the value =π/2.
Let I=∫0π/2cos11x+sin11xcos11xdx.
Replacing x→2π−x swaps sine and cosine: I=∫0π/2sin11x+cos11xsin11xdx. …
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04234 marksMCQQ.The value of ∫π/102π/51+cot3xcot3xdx is equal to (A) 20π (B) 10π (C) 203π (D) 5π (E) 4π
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using the King property with a+b=pi/2, the integral equals half of (b-a) = 3pi/20.
Concept and Intuition
The limits satisfy a+b = pi/10 + 2pi/5 = pi/2, and cot(pi/2 - x) = tan x, so the reflection x -> a+b-x pairs cot^3 with tan^3, and the two integrands add to 1.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let I = integral of cot^3 x/(1+cot^3 x) dx over [pi/10, 2pi/5].
- Replace x by pi/2 - x: cot -> tan, giving I = integral of tan^3 x/(1+tan^3 x) dx over the same limits. …
- KEAM 2021Set eng-2021-P2-B14 marksMCQQ.The value of ∫π/83π/8sin4x+cos4xsin4xdx is equal to (A) 4π (B) 8π (C) 16π (D) 2π (E) 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
∫π/83π/8sin4x+cos4xsin4xdx=8π.
Concept and Intuition
The king property ∫abf(x)dx=∫abf(a+b−x)dx with a+b=π/2 pairs the integrand with its cosine-counterpart, and the two add to 1.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let I=∫π/83π/8sin4x+cos4xsin4xdx.
- Replace x→2π−x: I=∫π/83π/8cos4x+sin4xcos4xdx. …
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04254 marksMCQQ.∫02x4+(2−x)4x4dx= (A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 4 (D) 8 (E) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
Apply the king property x→2−x; adding the two forms integrates to 2, giving I=1.
Let I=∫02x4+(2−x)4x4dx. Replacing x→2−x,
I=∫02(2−x)4+x4(2−x)4dx.
Adding the two expressions, …
- KEAM 2024Set eng-2024-06054 marksMCQQ.∫−π/2π/21+2−xcos2xdx is equal to (A) 3π (B) 4π (C) 1 (D) 21 (E) 2π
›Reveal solutionSolution
The 1+2−x1 factor with an even numerator halves the plain integral of cos2x: I=21∫−π/2π/2cos2xdx=4π.
Let I=∫−π/2π/21+2−xcos2xdx. Replace x→−x (limits symmetric, cos2 even):
I=∫−π/2π/21+2xcos2xdx.
Adding the two forms: …
- KEAM 2024Set eng-2024-06084 marksMCQQ.∫−2π2π1+cos2xtanx+sinxdx is equal to (A) 0 (B) 2 (C) 2 (D) 22 (E) −22
›Reveal solutionSolution
Numerator tanx+sinx is odd and denominator 1+cos2x is even, so the whole integrand is odd; integrating an odd function over a symmetric interval gives 0.
Let g(x)=1+cos2xtanx+sinx. Replace x by −x:
- tan(−x)=−tanx and sin(−x)=−sinx, so the numerator changes sign.
- cos(−x)=cosx, so 1+cos2x is unchanged. …
- KEAM 2024Set eng-2024-06084 marksMCQQ.∫−11x2sinxdx (A) 2sin1 (B) 2 (C) 4 (D) −2sin1 (E) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
x2sinx is an odd function, so its integral over the symmetric interval [−1,1] is 0.
Let h(x)=x2sinx. Then
h(−x)=(−x)2sin(−x)=x2(−sinx)=−h(x), …
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