Q.∫0π1+sinxxdx
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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 …
Use the king property ∫0af(x)dx=∫0af(a−x)dx to kill the x in the numerator.
With I=∫0π1+sinxxdx, replace x→π−x (and sin(π−x)=sinx):
I=∫0π1+sinxπ−xdx.
Adding the two expressions,
2I=π∫0π1+sinxdx. …
The king property turns the x into a constant π; evaluating the leftover integral gives ∫0π1+sinxxdx=π.
Idea. An integrand of the form x⋅(function symmetric about x=2a) over [0,a] is a signal for the king property ∫0af(x)dx=∫0af(a−x)dx. Adding the original and reflected integrals cancels the linear x.
1. Apply the reflection
Let I=∫0π1+sinxxdx. Replacing x by π−x and using sin(π−x)=sinx:
I=∫0π1+sinxπ−xdx.
2. Add the two forms
2I=∫0π1+sinxx+(π−x)dx=π∫0π1+sinxdx.
The x-terms cancel, leaving a constant numerator.
3. Evaluate J=∫0π1+sinxdx
Multiply numerator and denominator by 1−sinx:
1+sinx1=1−sin2x1−sinx=cos2x1−sinx=sec2x−secxtanx.
An antiderivative is tanx−secx. To handle the point x=2π cleanly, rewrite it: …
Method: The "king" property to kill a linear factor
Use ∫0af(x)dx=∫0af(a−x)dx when the integrand is x (or a linear term) multiplied by a function unchanged under x→a−x.
Steps
Step 1: Replace x by a−x.
Write I=∫0axg(x)dx, then I=∫0a(a−x)g(a−x)dx. Confirm g(a−x)=g(x) (the trig part is symmetric about the midpoint a/2).
Step 2: Add the two forms. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using the antiderivative tanx−secx straight across x=2π.
Why it's wrong: tanx−secx is discontinuous at 2π, so plugging in the limits is invalid. Correct approach: rewrite it as −1+sinxcosx, which is continuous on [0,π], before evaluating. …
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 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 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 2026Set eng-2026-04204 marksMCQQ.∫π/6π/3sinx+cosxsinxdx is equal to (A) 0 (B) 6π (C) 3π (D) 12π (E) 2π
›Reveal solutionSolution
Apply ∫abf(x)dx=∫abf(a+b−x)dx with a+b=2π, which swaps sin and cos.
Let I=∫π/6π/3sinx+cosxsinxdx. …
- 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.∫−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 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 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), …
- KEAM 2024Set eng-2024-06094 marksMCQQ.∫01log(x1−1)dx= (A) 41 (B) 21 (C) −1 (D) 1 (E) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
Split the log; both ∫01log(1−x)dx and ∫01logxdx equal −1, so their difference is 0.
Rewrite log(x1−1)=logx1−x=log(1−x)−logx. …
- KEAM 2024Set eng-2024-06064 marksMCQQ.∫π/53π/101+tanxtanxdx= (A) 4π (B) 5π (C) 10π (D) 20π (E) 2π
›Reveal solutionSolution
The limits sum to 2π, so the King property gives 2I=b−a=10π and I=20π.
Let I=∫π/53π/101+tanxtanxdx. Since a+b=5π+103π=2π, apply x→2π−x so tanx→cotx:
f(2π−x)=1+cotxcotx=1+tanx1. …
- 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 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. …
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