Q.Find ∫9−cos4(2x)sin2xcos2xdx
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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 — the denominator’s form 9−(cos22x)2 suggests setting u=cos22x.
Step 1: Let u=cos22x. Then du=2cos2x(−sin2x⋅2)dx=−4sin2xcos2xdx.
Hence sin2xcos2xdx=−4du.
Step 2: The integral becomes
∫9−u2−4du=−41∫9−u2du. …
Substitute u=cos2(2x); the integral becomes a standard arcsine form. Result: −41sin−1(3cos22x)+C.
Let u=cos2(2x). Then
dxdu=2cos(2x)⋅(−sin(2x))⋅2=−4sin(2x)cos(2x),
so sin(2x)cos(2x)dx=−41du. Also cos4(2x)=u2, so 9−cos4(2x)=9−u2. …
Method: Substitute to reach the standard ∫a2−u2du form
Use this when a root a2−[h(x)]2 sits in the denominator and a constant multiple of h(x)'s derivative multiplies the top — the integral is really a disguised arcsin.
Steps
Step 1: Recognise the a2−u2 pattern under the root.
Rewrite 9−cos4(2x) as 32−(cos22x)2, so a=3 and the natural inner variable is u=cos22x.
Step 2: Substitute u and compute du.
u=cos22x⇒du=2cos2x⋅(−sin2x)⋅2dx=−4sin2xcos2xdx,
so sin2xcos2xdx=−4du — exactly the numerator (up to the constant −41). …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Mis-differentiating u=cos22x.
Why it's wrong: there are two chain-rule layers — the square and the 2x — giving du=−4sin2xcos2xdx; students often get −2sin2xcos2x or miss the inner 2. Correct approach: differentiate the outer square, then cos2x, then 2x, multiplying all factors.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the negative sign / the 41.
Why it's wrong: sin2xcos2xdx=−4du, so the answer carries −41; dropping the sign or the 41 gives a wrong coefficient. Correct approach: solve du for the exact numerator factor and keep the −41. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 32 on this concept.
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04294 marksMCQQ.∫cosx2sin2xdx= (A) 21tanx+C (B) tanx+C (C) 2tanx+C (D) 4tanx+C (E) 3tanx+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Writing 2sin2x=4sinxcosx reduces the integrand to 21sec2x(tanx)−1/2; with u=tanx this integrates to tanx+C.
Use sin2x=2sinxcosx, so 2sin2x=4sinxcosx and 2sin2x=2sinxcosx. Then …
- KEAM 2023Set eng-2023-P2-B24 marksMCQQ.∫sin2x+2cos2x2tanx+3dx= (A) 23sin−1(2sinx)+lnsin2x+2+C (B) 23tan−1(2tanx)+lntan2x+2+C (C) 21tan−1(2tanx)−lntan2x+2+C (D) 23cos−1(2cosx)+lnsin2x+2+C (E) 21cos−1(2cosx)−lncos2x+2+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
The integral is 23tan−1(2tanx)+log∣tan2x+2∣+C.
Concept and Intuition
Divide numerator and denominator by cos2x to convert everything into tanx, then substitute t=tanx.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Dividing by cos2x: integrand =tan2x+2(2tanx+3)sec2x.
- Let t=tanx,dt=sec2xdx: ∫t2+22t+3dt.
- Split: ∫t2+22tdt=log(t2+2) and ∫t2+23dt=23tan−12t.
Common Mistakes …
- KEAM 2021Set eng-2021-P2-B14 marksMCQQ.∫cos2xcos(tanx)dx= (A) (tanx)sin(tanx)+C (B) sin(tanx)+C (C) sec(tanx)+C (D) (cosx)sin(tanx)+C (E) cos2(tanx)+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
∫cos2xcos(tanx)dx=sin(tanx)+C.
Concept and Intuition
The factor 1/cos2x=sec2x is exactly the derivative of tanx, so substituting u=tanx linearizes the integral.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Rewrite as ∫cos(tanx)sec2xdx.
- Let u=tanx, du=sec2xdx. …
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04194 marksMCQQ.∫1+x2sin(cot−1x)dx is equal to (A) −cos(cot−1x)+C (B) cos(cot−1x)+C (C) 1+x2cos(cot−1x)+C (D) 2cos(cot−1x)+C (E) 1+x2−cos(cot−1x)+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitute u=cot−1x so du=−1+x2dx.
Let u=cot−1x⇒du=−1+x2dx, i.e. 1+x2dx=−du. …
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04234 marksMCQQ.∫ex(x2−2)cos(ex(x2−2x))dx= (A) sin(ex(x2−2x))+C (B) sin(ex(x2−2))+C (C) x2exsin(ex(x2−2))+C (D) exsin(ex(x2−2))+C (E) exsin(x2ex−2xex)+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Since d/dx[e^x(x^2-2x)] = e^x(x^2-2), the integral is sin(e^x(x^2-2x)) + C.
Concept and Intuition
Look for the outer function's argument, g(x) = e^x(x^2-2x), and check whether the rest of the integrand is exactly g'(x); if so the integral is a direct substitution.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let g(x) = e^x(x^2 - 2x).
- g'(x) = e^x(x^2-2x) + e^x(2x-2) = e^x(x^2 - 2), which is exactly the prefactor. …
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04274 marksMCQQ.∫2−sin2θcosθdθ= (A) 21log2+sinθ2−sinθ+C (B) 21log2−sinθ2+sinθ+C (C) log2−sinθ2+sinθ+C (D) 21log2−sinθ2+sinθ+C (E) 221log2−sinθ2+sinθ+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitution u=sinθ gives ∫2−u2du=221log2−sinθ2+sinθ+C.
Let u=sinθ, so du=cosθdθ. The integral becomes
∫2−u2du=∫(2)2−u2du.
Using the standard result ∫a2−u2du=2a1loga−ua+u+C with a=2: …
- KEAM 2024Set eng-2024-06094 marksMCQQ.∫x2(x4+1)3/4dx= (A) −(x4+1)1/4+C (B) (x4+1)1/4+C (C) −(x4x4+1)1/4+C (D) (x4x4+1)+C (E) (x4x4+1)3/4+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Factor x4 out of the radical; with u=1+x−4, du=−4x−5dx, the integral becomes −u1/4=−(x4x4+1)1/4+C.
Write (x4+1)3/4=x3(1+x−4)3/4, so
∫x2(x4+1)3/4dx=∫x5(1+x−4)3/4dx. …
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04264 marksMCQQ.∫(secx+tanx)9secxdx= (A) 91(secx+tanx)9+C (B) 9−1(secx+tanx)9+C (C) 9−1(secx+tanx)−9+C (D) 91(secx+tanx)−9+C (E) (secx+tanx)−9+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitute u=secx+tanx; then secxdx=du/u.
Let u=secx+tanx. Then du=(secxtanx+sec2x)dx=secx(tanx+secx)dx=secxudx, so secxdx=udu. …
- KEAM 2024Set eng-2024-06064 marksMCQQ.∫4x2+74xcos4x2+7dx= (A) 21sin4x2+7+C (B) 27sin4x2+7+C (C) sin4x2+7+C (D) 41sin4x2+7+C (E) 47sin4x2+7+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
With u=4x2+7 the integrand is exactly cosudu, giving sin4x2+7+C.
Let u=4x2+7. Then dxdu=24x2+78x=4x2+74x, so du=4x2+74xdx. …
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04184 marksMCQQ.∫(27x3(1−x3))32dx= (A) −43(1−x3)34+C (B) −53(1−x3)35+C (C) −39(1−x3)31+C (D) −49(1−x3)34+C (E) −59(1−x3)35+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Simplify to 9x2(1−x3)2/3, then substitute u=1−x3 to obtain −59(1−x3)5/3+C.
Since (27x3(1−x3))2/3=272/3(x3)2/3(1−x3)2/3=9x2(1−x3)2/3, let u=1−x3, du=−3x2dx, so x2dx=−3du: …
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04234 marksMCQQ.∫1−x2sin−1xdx= (A) 21(sin−1x)2+C (B) −(sin−1x)1−x2+C (C) (sin−1x)1−x2+x+C (D) (sin−1x)1−x2−x+C (E) (sin−1x)2+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting u=sin^{-1}x turns the integral into u du = (1/2)(sin^{-1}x)^2 + C.
Concept and Intuition
The factor 1/sqrt(1-x^2) is exactly the derivative of sin^{-1}x, so the substitution u = sin^{-1}x collapses the integral.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u = sin^{-1}x, then du = dx/sqrt(1-x^2).
- The integral becomes integral of u du. …
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04184 marksMCQQ.∫sinx+cosxsecxsecxdx= (A) 2(tanx−loge(tanx+1))+C (B) 2(tanx+loge(tanx+1))+C (C) 2tanx−loge(tanx+1)+C (D) 2tanx+loge(tanx+1)+C (E) tanx−loge(tanx+1)+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Factor sinx+cosx=cosx(tanx+1) to reduce the integrand to tanx+1sec2x; substituting u=tanx gives option (A).
Write the denominator as sinx+cosx=cosx(tanx+1). The numerator is secxsecx=cos−3/2x, so
cosx(tanx+1)cos−3/2x=tanx+1cos−2x=tanx+1sec2x.
Let t=tanx, dt=sec2xdx, then u=t, t=u2, dt=2udu: …
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